Disabling iCloud Desktop & Documents folders sync on macOS Sierra?

[St0rMl0rD]

Hi,

From what we can see in the release notes of the new JSS version, there is no possibility to prevent a Mac with Sierra from syncing files from Desktop and Documents into iCloud. Does anyone know how to prevent that? We don't want our bandwidth clogged and users confused with the "low iCloud storage space" messages.

Thanks!

[haircut]

I have this same question – a user in the MacAdmins slack stated this would be manageable via configuration profile but I've not yet seen the option.

Hopefully someone else can respond and guide us.

[danny_hanes]

I reached out to my TAM to also get this answered. When I hear back, I will post an update.

[dstranathan]

I'm interested in this, too.

Looks like there is a similar thread here: https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=20997

[keaton]

The 9.96 release includes this functionality. It can be found under Computers > Configuration Profiles > Restrictions payload > Functionality > Allow iCloud documents & data. Uncheck this to prevent this setting.

Hope that helps!

[St0rMl0rD]

@keaton that's something else. What if we want the users to be able to use their iCloud Drive across the apps, for example, but we don't want that their Desktop and Documents folders are synced? Doesn't really help.

[michael_devins]

Great question @St0rMl0rD. At this time, Apple does not provide any configuration profiles to limit this new macOS Sierra iCloud functionality. I would recommend filing a request with them to add this feature.

Apple has announced their intention to allow for skipping the set up of iCloud Desktop during DEP enrollment, however it is unclear whether this will wholly remove the feature for DEP users or whether it will simply not prompt them at setup. Once Apple releases documentation to support skipping that step during DEP enrollment, we will add it to the product.

I hope that helps!

[St0rMl0rD]

Hi,

Is there any update on this? We tested the derflounder profile but it didn't do anything. We want the iCloud data to be on (if the user is already logged into iCloud), but the Desktop & Documents sync off.

[prodservices]

We're in the same boat - migrations to Sierra are on hold until we have a way to block this "feature".

[wolftech]

See https://derflounder.wordpress.com/2017/03/27/disabling-icloud-desktop-and-documents-syncing/

[Mkh]

@wolftech does it work on Catalina ?