Keep your cloud folder available offline

Why it helps

Cloud apps can replace local files with online-only placeholders. A folder can contain a mix of downloaded and cloud-only files. visualOS waits and retries when needed data is unavailable; a canvas can appear before every original or preview is ready.

Choose the option for your provider

• iCloud Drive: in Finder, use “Keep Downloaded” where available. On iPhone/iPad, check the folder’s menu in Files; options depend on the OS and provider. “Download Now” requests a download but is not the same as retaining it. Apple’s file-status guide.
• Dropbox desktop: right-click the connected folder and select “Make available offline”. Dropbox instructions.
• Google Drive for desktop: for streamed files, select offline availability for the connected folder. Mirroring My Drive is another desktop option and requires local space. Google’s streaming and mirroring guide.

Do this separately on each supported device and let downloads finish. On mobile, a provider’s “offline” feature inside its own app may not make the folder accessible to visualOS.

What it does not fix

Keeping files downloaded does not provide more cloud storage, restore revoked access, fix damaged files, or force uploads to finish immediately. Check local free space too. See persistent file warnings.

The in-app suggestion

If availability stays unresolved, the app may gently suggest keeping the folder offline. “Later” dismisses the suggestion for a period; it does not disable sync retries. The app cannot reliably inspect or enable every provider’s retention setting for you.

Browser cache is separate

Audio and video can already be in the folder without a second copy in the browser cache. That is expected and does not itself mean a failed upload. Updated versions distinguish this case from a missing file.