---
id: icloud.will-my-icloud-files-come-back-on-a-new-mac
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/will-my-icloud-files-come-back-on-a-new-mac
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "iCloud Drive basics"
question: "Will my iCloud Drive files show up on a new Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "Set up new Mac with iCloud Drive"
  - "Why are my files online-only on my new Mac?"
  - "New MacBook iCloud files cloud icons"
  - "icloud files on new mac not downloaded"
short_answer: "Yes — sign in with the same Apple Account and turn on iCloud Drive (and Desktop & Documents if you used it). Files may appear online-only at first and download when opened; use Download Now for folders you want offline."
tags: ["new mac", "icloud drive", "online-only"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-does-online-only-mean-for-icloud-files", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-keep-an-icloud-folder-always-downloaded", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/do-i-lose-icloud-files-if-i-erase-or-sell-my-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Will my iCloud Drive files show up on a new Mac?

Yes. Sign in with the same Apple Account and turn on iCloud Drive (and Desktop & Documents if you used it), and all your files appear. Many may show as **online-only** at first — they download when you open them, or you can choose **Download Now** for folders you want offline.

Photos works the same: turn on iCloud Photos and choose Optimize Mac Storage or Download Originals. Apps and files outside iCloud come over through **Migration Assistant** instead. See [what online-only means](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-does-online-only-mean-for-icloud-files).