{"id":"icloud.why-does-optimize-mac-storage-not-free-space-right-away","url":"/faq/icloud/why-does-optimize-mac-storage-not-free-space-right-away","category":{"id":"icloud","title":"iCloud & iCloud Photos"},"subcategory":{"id":"online-only-files","title":"Online-only files and Optimize Mac Storage"},"question":"Why hasn't Optimize Mac Storage freed any space yet?","alt_questions":["Optimize Mac Storage on but disk still full","iCloud not removing downloaded files","When does macOS evict iCloud files?","Optimize Mac Storage not working","iCloud Drive still using lots of space"],"short_answer":"macOS only frees iCloud files when it decides space is needed, starting with older files, so turning it on frees nothing immediately. For space now, tap Run Tuhi in Storage Studio or use Finder's Remove Download.","answer_markdown":"Because macOS only frees iCloud files when it decides it needs the room — typically when free space is running low — and it starts with files you haven't opened for a while. Turning the setting on doesn't free anything immediately.\n\nIf you need the space now:\n\n1. Tap **Run Tuhi** in Storage Studio. Its cloud step makes large downloaded files online-only straight away and shows how much it freed.\n2. Or right-click a large folder in iCloud Drive in Finder and choose **Remove Download**.\n\nEither way the files stay in iCloud and download again when you open them.","answer_html":"

Because macOS only frees iCloud files when it decides it needs the room — typically when free space is running low — and it starts with files you haven't opened for a while. Turning the setting on doesn't free anything immediately.

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If you need the space now:

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  1. Tap Run Tuhi in Storage Studio. Its cloud step makes large downloaded files online-only straight away and shows how much it freed.
  2. Or right-click a large folder in iCloud Drive in Finder and choose Remove Download.
\n

Either way the files stay in iCloud and download again when you open them.

","answer_text":"Because macOS only frees iCloud files when it decides it needs the room — typically when free space is running low — and it starts with files you haven't opened for a while. Turning the setting on doesn't free anything immediately.\n\nIf you need the space now:\n\n1. Tap Run Tuhi in Storage Studio. Its cloud step makes large downloaded files online-only straight away and shows how much it freed.\n2. Or right-click a large folder in iCloud Drive in Finder and choose Remove Download.\n\nEither way the files stay in iCloud and download again when you open them.","tags":["optimize mac storage","troubleshooting","icloud drive"],"related":[{"id":"icloud.what-is-optimize-mac-storage-in-icloud-drive","question":"What does Optimize Mac Storage do in iCloud Drive settings?","url":"/faq/icloud/what-is-optimize-mac-storage-in-icloud-drive"},{"id":"icloud.how-do-i-remove-the-download-of-an-icloud-file-in-finder","question":"How do I remove the downloaded copy of an iCloud file in Finder?","url":"/faq/icloud/how-do-i-remove-the-download-of-an-icloud-file-in-finder"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Why hasn't Optimize Mac Storage freed any space yet? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"macOS only frees iCloud files when it decides space is needed, starting with older files, so turning it on frees nothing immediately. For space now, tap Run Tuhi in Storage Studio or use Finder's Remove Download.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"iCloud & iCloud Photos","path":"/faq/icloud/"},{"name":"Why hasn't Optimize Mac Storage freed any space yet?","path":"/faq/icloud/why-does-optimize-mac-storage-not-free-space-right-away"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/why-does-optimize-mac-storage-not-free-space-right-away","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Why hasn't Optimize Mac Storage freed any space yet?","alternateName":["Optimize Mac Storage on but disk still full","iCloud not removing downloaded files","When does macOS evict iCloud files?","Optimize Mac Storage not working","iCloud Drive still using lots of space"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Because macOS only frees iCloud files when it decides it needs the room — typically when free space is running low — and it starts with files you haven't opened for a while. Turning the setting on doesn't free anything immediately.\n\nIf you need the space now:\n\n1. Tap Run Tuhi in Storage Studio. Its cloud step makes large downloaded files online-only straight away and shows how much it freed.\n2. Or right-click a large folder in iCloud Drive in Finder and choose Remove Download.\n\nEither way the files stay in iCloud and download again when you open them.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/why-does-optimize-mac-storage-not-free-space-right-away"}}]},"fragment":"
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iCloud & iCloud Photos · Online-only files and Optimize Mac Storage

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Why hasn't Optimize Mac Storage freed any space yet?

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Short answer: macOS only frees iCloud files when it decides space is needed, starting with older files, so turning it on frees nothing immediately. For space now, tap Run Tuhi in Storage Studio or use Finder's Remove Download.

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Because macOS only frees iCloud files when it decides it needs the room — typically when free space is running low — and it starts with files you haven't opened for a while. Turning the setting on doesn't free anything immediately.

\n

If you need the space now:

\n
  1. Tap Run Tuhi in Storage Studio. Its cloud step makes large downloaded files online-only straight away and shows how much it freed.
  2. Or right-click a large folder in iCloud Drive in Finder and choose Remove Download.
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Either way the files stay in iCloud and download again when you open them.

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