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Why No Old iCloud Files After Logged into New MacBook?

I ran out of space on my previous MacBook Pro. So I bought a new MacBook Pro with a 1 TB Hard Drive. I opened up the old folder in iCloud Drive on my new MBP, only to find there were NO FILES! I never keep folders with no files in them. I've checked the "Optimize Mac Storage" box in System Preferences on my old MacBook Pro. I believe that these files were removed from my MBP and are now lost in iCloud. How do I retrieve the old files in my iCloud?

Best Answered by

Connie Yang

Answered on Tuesday, August 27, 2024

You say that you've chosen the "Optimize Mac Storage" option in System Preferences on your old MacBook Pro. The function of "Optimize Mac Storage" is to save the full contents of iCloud Drive to your Mac when the space is enough while storing older documents only in iCloud when space is needed.

So, the files in the old folder in iCloud Drive may be stored in your previous MacBook Pro. You can copy them from your old MacBook to the new one. Or, you can log into the iCloud.com to check if you can find the older folder there. Then, download it to your new MacBook Pro.