invasive iCloud Drive behaviour

[stevemiller]

I cannot believe how user hostile this behaviour is.

when I updated my os to 12.2.1, I accidentally clicked the option to move all my desktop and documents into iCloud Drive after the update completed.

first off why are they trying to push this on point updates?

second, I went into preferences to disable it, and the disable behaviour is not to remove these items from iCloud and store them locally... no no, instead the disabling behaviour is to DELETE all your local files, and move them EXCLUSIVELY to iCloud. so then you have to move them out of iCloud and back to your desktop manually.

the entire usability of this feature seems designed exclusively around aggressively pushing people towards their subscription services through incredibly shady tactics. making the act of moving your entire computer contents into iCloud a default after what should have been a minor a security and stability update on your os reminds me of old software installers trying to install crap like yahoo toolbars by sneaking in a default enabled checkbox into the process. and the intimidation tactic of "we're going to delete the contents of your desktop and documents folders from your computer if you disable iCloud syncing of these folders" is, to be honest, shocking.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

They’re pushing it on point updates for 1) subscription revenue and 2) convenience. When I’ve demonstrated the feature to clients (after first confirming they already had enough iCloud storage for it), responses are typically amazement at how convenient the feature is.
Also, turning off the feature gives the option for storing a copy locally; added to iCloud Drive (Archive) in your home folder. Did you not have that option? I have always been offered it.

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support (CA)

Learn how to share your files from your Mac Desktop and Documents folders to all of your devices with iCloud Drive.

support.apple.com

 

[stevemiller]

They’re pushing it on point updates for 1) subscription revenue and 2) convenience. When I’ve demonstrated the feature to clients (after first confirming they already had enough iCloud storage for it), responses are typically amazement at how convenient the feature is.
Also, turning off the feature gives the option for storing a copy locally; added to iCloud Drive (Archive) in your home folder. Did you not have that option? I have always been offered it.

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support (CA)

Learn how to share your files from your Mac Desktop and Documents folders to all of your devices with iCloud Drive.

support.apple.com

It deletes the contents of your home and documents folder and places them in the iCloud folder, forcing you to move them back yourself. Not what I’d call convenient. It’s unsettling to see all your files disappear.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

It deletes the contents of your home and documents folder and places them in the iCloud folder, forcing you to move them back yourself. Not what I’d call convenient. It’s unsettling to see all your files disappear.

You would rather it delete them from your other device(s) and leave them on the one that disables the feature? That too seems unsettling.

 

[mikzn]

It deletes the contents of your home and documents folder and places them in the iCloud folder, forcing you to move them back yourself. Not what I’d call convenient. It’s unsettling to see all your files disappear.

Did you check for a folder in your downloads or desktop ? I don't remember exactly where - but I had that same issue after an upgrade and turned it off and found a folder in the "download folder" ? - it was a back up of the files that were previously shared - I did not use it because I have a frequent back up (CCC- 2 times per week) of each device and used those to restore my desk top and documents folders

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Did you check for a folder in your downloads or desktop ? I don't remember exactly where - but I had that same issue after an upgrade and turned it off and found a folder in the "download folder" ? - it was a back up of the files that were previously shared - I did not use it because I have a frequent back up (CCC- 2 times per week) of each device and used those to restore my desk top and documents folders

They don’t go there, a new folder gets added to the Home folder labelled iCloud Drive (Archive), with desktop and documents inside.

 

[mikzn]

They don’t go there, a new folder gets added to the Home folder labelled iCloud Drive (Archive), with desktop and documents inside.

FWIW - Mine showed up on the desktop

 

[stevemiller]

You would rather it delete them from your other device(s) and leave them on the one that disables the feature? That too seems unsettling.

I rather them leave desktop and documents folders intact exactly as they are and just stop synching them to icloud.

Also I rather them to have respected the fact that I declined using the feature when I originally updated to Monterey, and I don’t need to be spammed with the request on every point update.

Oh also the disable button was even buggy. When you toggle it off it toggles itself back on a moment later. It appears to just be a “glitch” and closing and reopening iCloud settings shows it as off. But yeah with this level of programming polish I’ll pass on trusting my data to their spammy, buggy paid synched service.