How Do I Get Rid Of iCloud?

[Sciuriware]

I NEVER asked for it or started it or enabled it or .......
Still MacOS keeps asking me to sync, resume or whatever.
I DO NOT WANT to use iCloud.
Any one who knows how to silence the 'mechanism'?
Thanks in advance
;JOOP!

 

[User #07242024]

On your Mac, use iCloud settings to turn iCloud and iCloud+ features on or off and manage iCloud storage.

To change these settings, choose Apple menu

> System Settings, click [your name] at the top of the sidebar, then click iCloud.

If you don’t see your name, click Sign in with your Apple ID, enter your Apple ID (or another email address or phone number on file), then enter your password. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you can create one.

Note: Some of these options appear only when you’re using macOS 13.3 or later. You may need to click Show All or Show More Apps to see all of the options.

Option	Description
iCloud Storage bar	Shows your overall storage usage.
Account Storage	Click Manage to manage your iCloud storage. You can: Change your iCloud storage plan Share iCloud+ with your family Remove an iOS or iPadOS device backup Remove photos, videos and data from iCloud that you no longer need
Optimise Mac Storage	Turn on to store the full contents of iCloud Drive on your Mac if there’s enough disk space. When disk space is needed, older documents are stored only in iCloud. See the Apple Support article Free up storage space on your Mac.
Photos	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your photos and videos using iCloud Photosand access them in the Photos app on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can also create Shared Albumsand collaborate on a Shared Library with iCloud Shared Photo Library.
iCloud Drive	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your files in iCloud Drive and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can choose: Whether to store your Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud Drive Which apps store data in iCloud Drive Which apps let other people look you up by your Apple ID
iCloud Mail	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your iCloud Mail email in iCloud and access it from the Mail app on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. If you don’t already have an iCloud email address, you’re prompted to create one. See Create a primary email address for iCloud Mail in the iCloud User Guide.
Passwords & Keychain	Turn on Sync this Mac to securely store information like passwords and credit card numbers in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. See Set up iCloud Keychain to autofill information.
Messages	Turn on “Use on this Mac” to store your messages in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can also see how many messages are in iCloud, choose how long to keep messages and sync your Mac.
Notes	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your notes in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Find My Mac	Click Turn On to use Find My to locate any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can track a lost device, lock it or remotely erase it. Location Services must be on to use Find My Mac. To turn it on, click Privacy & Security in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down), then click Location Services. Turn on Location Services, enter the name and password of an administrator of your Mac, then click Unlock. See Set up Find My.
Contacts	Store your contacts in iCloud so you can access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
iCloud Calendar	Store your calendar information in iCloud so you can access it on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Reminders	Store your reminders in iCloud so that you can access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Safari	Store your open tabs in iCloud Tabs in the Safari app so you can access them, as well as your Reading List and bookmarks, on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
News	Store your News information in iCloud so you can access your followed channels and topics, saved stories and reading history on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Stocks	Store your stock watchlist information in iCloud so you can view it on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Home	Allow internet communication through iCloud using the Home app so you can control internet-connected home devices, including thermostats, plugs, window blinds, light bulbs and more, on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Wallet	Store your cards in iCloud so you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Siri	Store your Siri settings in iCloud so you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Freeform	Store your Freeform boards in iCloud so you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Get More with iCloud+	If you don’t subscribe to iCloud+, click Upgrade to view iCloud+ plans and begin the subscription process. iCloud+ gives you more storage for your photos, files and backups, as well as additional features including iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video support. See the Apple Support article Upgrade to iCloud+.
Private Relay	Use iCloud Private Relay to hide your IP address and browsing activity in Safari and protect your unencrypted internet traffic, allowing you to browse the web in a more secure and private way. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use iCloud Private Relay. See Use iCloud Private Relay.
Hide My Email	Use Hide My Email to generate unique, random email addresses that forward to your personal email account, so you don’t have to share your real email address when filling out a form on the web or signing up for a newsletter. You can create as many addresses as you need. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use Hide My Email. See Use Hide My Email.
Custom Email Domain	Use Custom Email Domain to send and receive email from a personalised email address with iCloud Mail. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use Custom Email Domain. See Add an email domain you already own to iCloud Mail or Purchase a new email domain and add it to iCloud Mail in the iCloud User Guide.
Advanced Data Protection	Use end-to-end encryption to protect the majority of your iCloud data with the highest level of cloud data security (macOS 13.1 or later; not available in all countries or regions). See the Apple Support article iCloud data security overview. Because Apple won’t have the keys required to recover your data, you need to have a recovery contact or recovery key set up on your account. You can use these additional recovery methods to regain access to your data if you ever forget your password or lose access to your account. See the Apple Support articles Set up an account recovery contactand Set up a recovery key for your Apple ID.
Access iCloud Data on the Web	Access your mail, contacts, calendar, photos, notes, reminders, files and documents on the web at iCloud.com and privacy.apple.com. See the Apple Support article Manage web access to your iCloud data.

 

[Sciuriware]

On your Mac, use iCloud settings to turn iCloud and iCloud+ features on or off and manage iCloud storage.

To change these settings, choose Apple menu

> System Settings, click [your name] at the top of the sidebar, then click iCloud.

If you don’t see your name, click Sign in with your Apple ID, enter your Apple ID (or another email address or phone number on file), then enter your password. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you can create one.

Note: Some of these options appear only when you’re using macOS 13.3 or later. You may need to click Show All or Show More Apps to see all of the options.

Option	Description
iCloud Storage bar	Shows your overall storage usage.
Account Storage	Click Manage to manage your iCloud storage. You can: Change your iCloud storage plan Share iCloud+ with your family Remove an iOS or iPadOS device backup Remove photos, videos and data from iCloud that you no longer need
Optimise Mac Storage	Turn on to store the full contents of iCloud Drive on your Mac if there’s enough disk space. When disk space is needed, older documents are stored only in iCloud. See the Apple Support article Free up storage space on your Mac.
Photos	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your photos and videos using iCloud Photosand access them in the Photos app on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can also create Shared Albumsand collaborate on a Shared Library with iCloud Shared Photo Library.
iCloud Drive	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your files in iCloud Drive and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can choose: Whether to store your Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud Drive Which apps store data in iCloud Drive Which apps let other people look you up by your Apple ID
iCloud Mail	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your iCloud Mail email in iCloud and access it from the Mail app on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. If you don’t already have an iCloud email address, you’re prompted to create one. See Create a primary email address for iCloud Mail in the iCloud User Guide.
Passwords & Keychain	Turn on Sync this Mac to securely store information like passwords and credit card numbers in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. See Set up iCloud Keychain to autofill information.
Messages	Turn on “Use on this Mac” to store your messages in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can also see how many messages are in iCloud, choose how long to keep messages and sync your Mac.
Notes	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your notes in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Find My Mac	Click Turn On to use Find My to locate any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can track a lost device, lock it or remotely erase it. Location Services must be on to use Find My Mac. To turn it on, click Privacy & Security in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down), then click Location Services. Turn on Location Services, enter the name and password of an administrator of your Mac, then click Unlock. See Set up Find My.
Contacts	Store your contacts in iCloud so you can access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
iCloud Calendar	Store your calendar information in iCloud so you can access it on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Reminders	Store your reminders in iCloud so that you can access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Safari	Store your open tabs in iCloud Tabs in the Safari app so you can access them, as well as your Reading List and bookmarks, on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
News	Store your News information in iCloud so you can access your followed channels and topics, saved stories and reading history on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Stocks	Store your stock watchlist information in iCloud so you can view it on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Home	Allow internet communication through iCloud using the Home app so you can control internet-connected home devices, including thermostats, plugs, window blinds, light bulbs and more, on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Wallet	Store your cards in iCloud so you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Siri	Store your Siri settings in iCloud so you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Freeform	Store your Freeform boards in iCloud so you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Get More with iCloud+	If you don’t subscribe to iCloud+, click Upgrade to view iCloud+ plans and begin the subscription process. iCloud+ gives you more storage for your photos, files and backups, as well as additional features including iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video support. See the Apple Support article Upgrade to iCloud+.
Private Relay	Use iCloud Private Relay to hide your IP address and browsing activity in Safari and protect your unencrypted internet traffic, allowing you to browse the web in a more secure and private way. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use iCloud Private Relay. See Use iCloud Private Relay.
Hide My Email	Use Hide My Email to generate unique, random email addresses that forward to your personal email account, so you don’t have to share your real email address when filling out a form on the web or signing up for a newsletter. You can create as many addresses as you need. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use Hide My Email. See Use Hide My Email.
Custom Email Domain	Use Custom Email Domain to send and receive email from a personalised email address with iCloud Mail. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use Custom Email Domain. See Add an email domain you already own to iCloud Mail or Purchase a new email domain and add it to iCloud Mail in the iCloud User Guide.
Advanced Data Protection	Use end-to-end encryption to protect the majority of your iCloud data with the highest level of cloud data security (macOS 13.1 or later; not available in all countries or regions). See the Apple Support article iCloud data security overview. Because Apple won’t have the keys required to recover your data, you need to have a recovery contact or recovery key set up on your account. You can use these additional recovery methods to regain access to your data if you ever forget your password or lose access to your account. See the Apple Support articles Set up an account recovery contactand Set up a recovery key for your Apple ID.
Access iCloud Data on the Web	Access your mail, contacts, calendar, photos, notes, reminders, files and documents on the web at iCloud.com and privacy.apple.com. See the Apple Support article Manage web access to your iCloud data.

User 24-July-2024, you are GREAT!
Thanks a lot.
;JOOP!

 

[Sciuriware]

On your Mac, use iCloud settings to turn iCloud and iCloud+ features on or off and manage iCloud storage.

To change these settings, choose Apple menu

> System Settings, click [your name] at the top of the sidebar, then click iCloud.

If you don’t see your name, click Sign in with your Apple ID, enter your Apple ID (or another email address or phone number on file), then enter your password. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you can create one.

Note: Some of these options appear only when you’re using macOS 13.3 or later. You may need to click Show All or Show More Apps to see all of the options.

Option	Description
iCloud Storage bar	Shows your overall storage usage.
Account Storage	Click Manage to manage your iCloud storage. You can: Change your iCloud storage plan Share iCloud+ with your family Remove an iOS or iPadOS device backup Remove photos, videos and data from iCloud that you no longer need
Optimise Mac Storage	Turn on to store the full contents of iCloud Drive on your Mac if there’s enough disk space. When disk space is needed, older documents are stored only in iCloud. See the Apple Support article Free up storage space on your Mac.
Photos	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your photos and videos using iCloud Photosand access them in the Photos app on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can also create Shared Albumsand collaborate on a Shared Library with iCloud Shared Photo Library.
iCloud Drive	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your files in iCloud Drive and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can choose: Whether to store your Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud Drive Which apps store data in iCloud Drive Which apps let other people look you up by your Apple ID
iCloud Mail	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your iCloud Mail email in iCloud and access it from the Mail app on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. If you don’t already have an iCloud email address, you’re prompted to create one. See Create a primary email address for iCloud Mail in the iCloud User Guide.
Passwords & Keychain	Turn on Sync this Mac to securely store information like passwords and credit card numbers in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. See Set up iCloud Keychain to autofill information.
Messages	Turn on “Use on this Mac” to store your messages in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can also see how many messages are in iCloud, choose how long to keep messages and sync your Mac.
Notes	Turn on Sync this Mac to store your notes in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Find My Mac	Click Turn On to use Find My to locate any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can track a lost device, lock it or remotely erase it. Location Services must be on to use Find My Mac. To turn it on, click Privacy & Security in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down), then click Location Services. Turn on Location Services, enter the name and password of an administrator of your Mac, then click Unlock. See Set up Find My.
Contacts	Store your contacts in iCloud so you can access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
iCloud Calendar	Store your calendar information in iCloud so you can access it on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Reminders	Store your reminders in iCloud so that you can access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Safari	Store your open tabs in iCloud Tabs in the Safari app so you can access them, as well as your Reading List and bookmarks, on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
News	Store your News information in iCloud so you can access your followed channels and topics, saved stories and reading history on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Stocks	Store your stock watchlist information in iCloud so you can view it on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Home	Allow internet communication through iCloud using the Home app so you can control internet-connected home devices, including thermostats, plugs, window blinds, light bulbs and more, on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Wallet	Store your cards in iCloud so you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Siri	Store your Siri settings in iCloud so you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Freeform	Store your Freeform boards in iCloud so you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
Get More with iCloud+	If you don’t subscribe to iCloud+, click Upgrade to view iCloud+ plans and begin the subscription process. iCloud+ gives you more storage for your photos, files and backups, as well as additional features including iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video support. See the Apple Support article Upgrade to iCloud+.
Private Relay	Use iCloud Private Relay to hide your IP address and browsing activity in Safari and protect your unencrypted internet traffic, allowing you to browse the web in a more secure and private way. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use iCloud Private Relay. See Use iCloud Private Relay.
Hide My Email	Use Hide My Email to generate unique, random email addresses that forward to your personal email account, so you don’t have to share your real email address when filling out a form on the web or signing up for a newsletter. You can create as many addresses as you need. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use Hide My Email. See Use Hide My Email.
Custom Email Domain	Use Custom Email Domain to send and receive email from a personalised email address with iCloud Mail. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use Custom Email Domain. See Add an email domain you already own to iCloud Mail or Purchase a new email domain and add it to iCloud Mail in the iCloud User Guide.
Advanced Data Protection	Use end-to-end encryption to protect the majority of your iCloud data with the highest level of cloud data security (macOS 13.1 or later; not available in all countries or regions). See the Apple Support article iCloud data security overview. Because Apple won’t have the keys required to recover your data, you need to have a recovery contact or recovery key set up on your account. You can use these additional recovery methods to regain access to your data if you ever forget your password or lose access to your account. See the Apple Support articles Set up an account recovery contactand Set up a recovery key for your Apple ID.
Access iCloud Data on the Web	Access your mail, contacts, calendar, photos, notes, reminders, files and documents on the web at iCloud.com and privacy.apple.com. See the Apple Support article Manage web access to your iCloud data.

P.S.,
I switched some things you listed OFF (I never switched them ON) and answered a few password requests.
Well, the messages have gone. Thanks again!!!!
;JOOP!

P.S.P.S.: a bit confusing was the request for account passwords:
the machine in question is owned by my wife, but I also had to enter my own password.
Anyway ...... It works.

 

[HDFan]

Is there a specific reason you don't want to use iCloud?

It can be very helpful. If your phone falls between a seat in the car and you can't find it the "Find My" can help you locate it. Use the app quite a lot as things keep getting lost between sofa cushions.

 

[Sciuriware]

Is there a specific reason you don't want to use iCloud?

It can be very helpful. If your phone falls between a seat in the car and you can't find it the "Find My" can help you locate it. Use the app quite a lot as things keep getting lost between sofa cushions.

1) I just do not want my personal data on storage outside my house.
2a) last month my dentist told me that I had to create an account to access my (confidential) invoice details.
2b) last week he informed me that his system had been hacked and that all details had been copied ....
2c) lucky me: I had already declined.
3) my wife's machine is my Cloud, my machine is her Cloud, and we make total backups independently.
4) my phone is always in my pocket.
Still, thanks anyway.
;JOOP!

 

[Sciuriware]

Is there a specific reason you don't want to use iCloud?

It can be very helpful. If your phone falls between a seat in the car and you can't find it the "Find My" can help you locate it. Use the app quite a lot as things keep getting lost between sofa cushions.

P.S.: I do not own a car and we got no sofa.
;JOOP!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

1) I just do not want my personal data on storage outside my house.
2a) last month my dentist told me that I had to create an account to access my (confidential) invoice details.
2b) last week he informed me that his system had been hacked and that all details had been copied ....
2c) lucky me: I had already declined.
3) my wife's machine is my Cloud, my machine is her Cloud, and we make total backups independently.
4) my phone is always in my pocket.
Still, thanks anyway.
;JOOP!

I applaud the rejection. Big Tech basically figured out how to wedge themselves in between users and their data... injected a forever rent, toll-booth type model for the "convenience" and now people generally pay dearly for what is basically hard drive storage in the sky. At the same time, we sign up for forever rent, we also subscribe to trusting total strangers with "for profit" motivations to become caretakers of our data.

Yes, there is some conveniences to cloud storage and services but we pay a fairly high price for it with more than just the monthly rental fee.

A few suggestions:

1. As you update Apple OS's be sure to recheck your "off" settings. Apple likes to innovate ways to further utilize iCloud, so it is important to know your "off" settings and recheck them- especially after BIG upgrades on the annual. Updates may turn things on again and/or new services may re-activate things to make the new things work. Apple seems to like default = ON... and no surprise why: the more one uses iCloud, the sooner they bump into the paywall and many just opt to pay.
2. Buy a new Apple thing and it probably comes with defaults you have off on everything else, turned on again... and will use them. When you buy new Apple things, immediately check all iCloud settings to be sure what you want off is off.
3. For #3, be sure at least one of those backups for each of you is both recent and OFFSITE. If all of your main files and their various backups are ever at the same location, you have fairly significant risk exposure. But one recent backup at another location- such as a bank safe deposit box- significantly upgrades recovery security. Many people don't think about this until the one location is impacted: fire, flood, theft, etc.

 

[Fishrrman]

I agree with the OP.

I want "no connection" to iCloud -- AT ALL.
I don't own an iPhone. I don't have ANY "smartphone" for that matter (perhaps one of the few people you'll ever meet like that).

I don't own an iPad (or any iOS devices).

Unfortunately, I do send text messages to a family member, and it seems that when they text me back, this Mac needs the "Messages" app. And that seems to want to be signed into iCloud or some Apple account or something.

I have, however, been a Mac user for 37 years -- longer than a good number of the members of this forum have been alive. Just no interest in other Apple products "beyond the Mac"...

 

[organicCPU]

While installing macOS, e.g. on a new Mac, just cancel iCloud setup, if you don't need it. To do so, just click on "Set up Later" in the left bottom corner of the dialog window titled "Sign In with Your Apple ID" and don't sign in with your Apple ID.

 

[Sciuriware]

I applaud the rejection. Big Tech basically figured out how to wedge themselves in between users and their data... injected a forever rent, toll-booth type model for the "convenience" and now people generally pay dearly for what is basically hard drive storage in the sky. At the same time, we sign up for forever rent, we also subscribe to trusting total strangers with "for profit" motivations to become caretakers of our data.

Yes, there is some conveniences to cloud storage and services but we pay a fairly high price for it with more than just the monthly rental fee.

A few suggestions:

1. As you update Apple OS's be sure to recheck your "off" settings. Apple likes to innovate ways to further utilize iCloud, so it is important to know your "off" settings and recheck them- especially after BIG upgrades on the annual. Updates may turn things on again and/or new services may re-activate things to make the new things work. Apple seems to like default = ON... and no surprise why: the more one uses iCloud, the sooner they bump into the paywall and many just opt to pay.
2. Buy a new Apple thing and it probably comes with defaults you have off on everything else, turned on again... and will use them. When you buy new Apple things, immediately check all iCloud settings to be sure what you want off is off.
3. For #3, be sure at least one of those backups for each of you is both recent and OFFSITE. If all of your main files and their various backups are ever at the same location, you have fairly significant risk exposure. But one recent backup at another location- such as a bank safe deposit box- significantly upgrades recovery security. Many people don't think about this until the one location is impacted: fire, flood, theft, etc.

Thanks for all those good advices.
;JOOP!