Apple’s iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia significantly enhance the Files app with the introduction of the ‘Keep Downloaded’ option.
This option ensures that your crucial files and folders remain accessible offline, no matter where you are.
In previous versions of iOS and macOS, iCloud’s automatic management system would offload files to free up space on your device, often at the most inconvenient times.
This meant that important documents could disappear from local storage, requiring an internet connection to re-download them—a real hassle if you were working on a plane or in an area with poor connectivity.
With iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, Apple has addressed this issue head-on.
Now, when you browse through iCloud in the Files app on iOS or Finder on macOS, you can right-click or long-press any file or folder and select the new ‘Keep Downloaded’ option.
This ensures that the selected items remain on your device and are fully accessible without an internet connection.
This feature is particularly beneficial if you frequently travel or work in remote areas. Imagine you’re mid-flight, working on a presentation that’s stored in iCloud.
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Previously, there was a risk that the file might be offloaded to save space, leaving you in a lurch without Wi-Fi.
Now, with ‘Keep Downloaded,’ you can rest easy knowing your essential documents will be available offline whenever you need them.
To use this new feature, simply navigate to the Files app on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 18 or Finder on your Mac with macOS Sequoia.
Find the file or folder you want to keep downloaded, long-press (or right-click on Mac), and select ‘Keep Downloaded’ from the contextual menu.
A small cloud icon next to the item will appear opaque, indicating that it will stay on your device.
The Bottom Line
Apple emphasizes that this is not a storage management tool for saving space but rather a way to ensure continuous access to your most important files.
It’s a simple yet powerful addition that will significantly enhance the user experience.
Currently, the ‘Keep Downloaded’ feature is available to developers in the iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia betas.
Apple plans to roll out a public beta later this month, with the general release expected this fall.
As always, beta software can be buggy, so I suggest you install it on a secondary device if you want to explore these new features early.
