Exclude folder from sync from iCloud to device (laptop)
iCloud Drive is a syncing solution so you can't exclude folders from getting synced from the cloud onto your computer. You can have macOS manage the space on your Mac though by going to System Preferences-&gt;iCloud, clicking on &quot;Options&quot; at the end of the iCloud Drive line and selecting &quot;Optimize Mac storage&quot;. This will just sync the whole folder structure without downloading the content unless you need it. Non-downloaded files/folders will show a Cloud icon in Finder.