How to Verify iCloud Drive Sync Status on macOS

Ensure your files are safe and up to date by confirming iCloud Drive sync status on your Mac using Finder and the Activity Monitor.

1. Open the Finder sidebar. Click the Finder icon in your Dock to open a new window. Locate the iCloud section in the sidebar and click on iCloud Drive to view your synced folders.
2. Enable the Status bar. If you do not see sync progress at the bottom of the window, navigate to the top menu bar and select View > Show Status Bar. This toggle displays the number of remaining items and the upload progress status.
3. Check individual file icons. Locate the cloud icon next to specific files or folders. An empty cloud icon with a downward arrow indicates the file is stored in iCloud but not downloaded; a file with no icon indicates it is fully synced and stored locally.
4. Monitor the bird process. Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities. Navigate to the Network tab and search for the 'bird' process, which manages iCloud background synchronization. High data activity confirms that files are actively transferring.
5. Verify via System Settings. Navigate to System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive. Ensure the toggle is set to On and check the 'Apps syncing to iCloud Drive' list to confirm individual application data is enabled for sync.