How to stop a iCloud Drive file or folder download in OS X?
Solution 1:
This plugin helped! - lets you select which folders to sync: https://github.com/Obbut/iCloud-Control. To download it, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autodesk-sketchbook/id883738213?mt=8 and select the latest zip file. (Right now it's at https://github.com/Obbut/iCloud-Control/releases/download/1.1.0/iCloud.Control.app.zip.)
If it doesn't unzip automatically, unzip it and move it to your Application folder.
From the site:
- Place the app in your Applications folder
- Launch it by right/control clicking and choosing "Open" (to prevent gatekeeper from preventing the app to open) and follow the instructions on screen
Usage
The following options are provided through a toolbar item in the Finder.
- Remove selected item locally: the selected item(s) will be removed from your device, while remaining in iCloud.
- Download selected item: download previously removed files from iCloud. On macOS Sierra, the cloud icon provides the same functionality.
- Publish public link: places a link to the selected file in your clipboard.
Compatibility
iCloud Control should work on macOS 10.2 Sierra, and on OS X 10.11 El Capitan.
Solution 2:
This great mac utility, TripMode, should be able to do the trick.
It should be able to block all internet traffic and then you can selectively allow apps through individually. Especially useful with phone personal hotspot to conserve on the data used.