---
id: moving-folders.what-does-relocate-do-in-data-parking
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-does-relocate-do-in-data-parking
category: "Moving folders"
subcategory: "Data Parking (the two-pane mover)"
question: "What does Relocate do in Data Parking?"
alt_questions:
  - "How does Relocate keep my files working?"
  - "Relocate move plus shortcut"
  - "What is the Relocate button?"
  - "free up space without breaking paths mac"
  - "Why is Relocate marked with a tick?"
short_answer: "Relocate moves a folder's file contents to the destination but keeps the folder layout on your Mac, replacing each file with a link. Tools and apps still see the same paths while the data lives on the drive. It isn't available for cloud destinations."
tags: ["relocate", "data parking", "links"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-is-the-difference-between-move-merge-and-relocate", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-does-pair-do-in-data-parking", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/why-is-relocate-not-available-for-cloud-destinations"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What does Relocate do in Data Parking?

Relocate moves a folder's file contents to your destination but leaves the folder structure on your Mac, with each file replaced by a link to its new home. Anything that reads the folder — build tools, editors, backup software — still sees the same layout and the same file paths, while the data takes up room on the drive instead.

It works from your Mac to the destination only, and it isn't offered for cloud destinations, because a link can't point into a cloud account. The ✓ mark on the button means the original place is kept working.

Relocate needs the panes to be paired and something selected on the left. See [How does pairing work?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-does-pair-do-in-data-parking)