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What Does the Downward Arrow Next To a File Size In Finder Mean?

One of my mp4 files that I’ve marked to be secured by iCloud, has the usual white cloud icon next to “Date Modified”, but a downward arrow before “Size” (in this case 11.36 GB). If I select “Get Info”, everything seems OK, aside from “Open with” shows “VLC app (default)” and is ‘greyed-out’ as is “Change with”.

Trying to open the file has no noticeable effect, and I request “Download Now”, cut/paste or move to another drive, after a short while the system becomes unresponsive, and I have to force a reload.
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Wm F Seabrook

Comments: 2 Responses to “What Does the Downward Arrow Next To a File Size In Finder Mean?”

    5 years ago

    The cloud with a down arrow in it signifies that the file isn't currently on your local drive. Opening it will download the file and then open it. In the case of a relatively small file, that may happen so fast you don't even notice the difference. But in the case of a large file, it will take some time to download.

    In the case of a massively huge file, which you're 11 GB file would be, it will take a long time to download. How long does it take 11 GB to download on your connection?

    Plus, another issue may be that you don't have 11 GB free on your drive to even store the file. Not sure if that is the case, but worth mentioning for such a large file.

    See https://macmost.com/understanding-icloud-drive-and-the-optimize-mac-storage-option.html to understand how it works.

    Wm F Seabrook
    5 years ago

    Thanks for this. However, what I am seeing is an arrow next to the file size NOT a cloud with down arrow; I suspect the file is corrupt - however, I have now recovered a working version from a TimeMachine back-up.

    Thanks again

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