How to ensure iCloud Drive files are backed up to Backblaze when 'Mobile documents' folder is missing?

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How to ensure iCloud Drive files are backed up to Backblaze when 'Mobile documents' folder is missing?

Hello,

I'm trying to make sure my iCloud Drive files are backed up to Backblaze.

I've disabled the storage optimization to have them downloaded to my HD. However, I do not seem to have the "Mobile Documents" folder at all.

/Users/[username]/Library/Mobile Documents/

I've seen a post as well about using some terminal commands to 'bring back' that folder, but Im not comfortable doing that.

Is there anything else I could do to make sure the files exist somewhere on my HD?

Any help appreciated.

edit: I just discovered that the Mobile Documents folder seems to be there when I check in Terminal, but it doesnt show up in Finder..

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Missing Mobile Documents folder

Posted on Dec 8, 2025 5:02 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 9, 2025 7:03 AM in response to redgilda

redgilda wrote: … Is there anything else I could do to make sure the files exist somewhere on my HD?

If you don't have "Optimize" chosen, then all the files in iCloud Drive are on your internal hard drive, in the iCloud Drive folder. If you use Optimize, then the iCloud icons indicate which files are kept downloaded. Time Machine, for instance, backs up all the iCloud drive files that are local which, again, are all of them if you don't use Optimize.

There's this:

Understanding iCloud Drive - Apple Community

which has information about identifying which files are on kept your hard drive.

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Answer 2

Dec 9, 2025 8:58 AM in response to redgilda

redgilda wrote:

Mobile Documents folder (that all the help articles I found say should be there and it includes the iDrive files) - is not there in Finder (but it does show up in the Terminal).

I'm just trying to understand why it's not showing up in Finder for me whereas it does for other people

Did you read what Carbon Copy Cloner support said about cloud storage volumes (the link in my previous message):

"iCloud Drive" is not a volume nor folder, it's actually a collection of many disparate folders ... What you see in the Finder is a Finder trick ..."

What Finder displays varies in different macOS, for example in my two Macs:

In Sequoia 15.7.2 there is ~/Library/iCloud.

In Monterey 12.7.6 there is ~/Library/Mobile Documents.

When double-clicked, both open iCloud Drive in Finder sidebar.

So I guess Backblaze must do the same hoops as CCC to be able to backup iCloud Drive contents.

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Answer 3

Dec 8, 2025 7:09 AM in response to redgilda

Carbon Copy Cloner has an option to temporarily download, back up, and evict iCloud Drive files (that does not apply to iCloud Photos, though).

https://support.bombich.com/hc/en-us/articles/20686419951767-Backing-up-the-content-of-cloud-storage-volumes

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Answer 4

Dec 8, 2025 8:06 AM in response to redgilda

redgilda wrote: …why I cant see the "Mobile Documents" folder in my Finder.

"Mobile Documents" is just another name for iCloud Drive. If you see iCloud Drive you are seeing Mobile Documents.

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Answer 5

redgilda Author

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Dec 8, 2025 8:21 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Well iCloud Drive is technically a separate 'location' in the files arborescence. But as it'sn not a separate 'drive' - the files are located somewhere inside the HD drive. The folder "Mobile Documents" shows in terminal, so why not in Finder?

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Answer 6

redgilda Author

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Dec 8, 2025 7:21 AM in response to Matti Haveri

Thanks, but I'll first try to make my current configuration work before I switch to different back up solutions. I've reached out to Backblaze too (their FAQ say that backing up iCloud Drive is possible), I just would like to know why I cant see the "Mobile Documents" folder in my Finder.

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Answer 7

redgilda Author

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24 points

Dec 9, 2025 12:24 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

iCloud Drive contains real files. in a folder. I really dont understand why you even bother replying if you cannot help in this particular case?

My backup software needs a file system to back it up. Hard drives, external drives. It does back up the whole Library folder, it's just that the Mobile Documents folder (that all the help articles I found say should be there and it includes the iDrive files) - is not there in Finder (but it does show up in the Terminal).

I'm just trying to understand why it's not showing up in Finder for me whereas it does for other people, if you do not know the answer, just skip this thread please.

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Answer 8

Dec 8, 2025 7:22 PM in response to redgilda

Well, iCloud Drive “technically” isn’t a drive—it’s a folder on the internal drive of the Mac that’s also called Mobile Documents.

Anybody hear an echo in here?

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