Offloader

Product Introduction

1. Offloader is a macOS optimization tool that accelerates iCloud Drive's native file offloading process to reclaim local storage space more efficiently. It identifies files safely stored in iCloud and triggers their local removal based on user-defined inactivity periods, bypassing macOS's delayed default behavior. The app operates automatically through scheduled scans while providing granular control over offloading rules and timing.
2. The core value lies in resolving macOS's storage management inefficiencies by enabling immediate space reclamation without compromising iCloud data integrity. Users gain precise control over offloading schedules and eligibility criteria, ensuring critical files remain local while less-used items transition to cloud-only storage. This balances automation with manual oversight, maintaining system performance and workflow continuity.

Main Features

1. Custom Delay Timer: Users configure time thresholds (1 hour to 30 days) to determine when inactive iCloud Drive files become eligible for offloading. This overrides macOS's default multi-day waiting period, allowing immediate space recovery for files meeting strict cloud-sync verification. The timer applies globally or per-folder, with exclusion options for specific file types or directories.
2. Periodic Scans: Automated scans run at user-defined intervals (every 6 hours, daily, or custom schedules) to identify offload-ready files without continuous background monitoring. Scans leverage macOS FileProvider APIs to detect iCloud synchronization status and last-access timestamps, minimizing CPU usage during operation. Detailed session reports track scanned items, offloaded files, and reclaimed space.
3. Smart Detection: The app verifies files against iCloud's "Optimized Storage" flags before offloading, ensuring only fully synced, cloud-available items are targeted. It interfaces with macOS's unified logging system to avoid conflicts with active processes or open files. Detection algorithms prioritize large, rarely accessed files to maximize space savings per operation.

Problems Solved

1. Main pain point addressed: macOS delays iCloud Drive offloading for days or weeks despite available cloud storage, causing unnecessary local disk consumption. Offloader eliminates this lag by enforcing user-configured timelines, immediately freeing space while maintaining native Finder integration and file accessibility.
2. Target user group: Ideal for Mac users with limited SSD capacity who rely on iCloud Drive for document storage but require consistent local space for applications and active projects. Particularly valuable for content creators, developers, and professionals managing large media libraries or project repositories.
3. Typical use case scenarios: A photographer needs to clear 100GB of RAW images from local storage after cloud backup completion but retain instant access via Finder. A software engineer wants automatic cleanup of archived Xcode projects in iCloud Drive between development sprints. A researcher requires scheduled offloading of processed datasets to maintain free space for active analysis tasks.

Unique Advantages

1. Difference from similar products: Unlike manual cleanup utilities or cloud sync managers, Offloader works within Apple's native iCloud optimization framework without requiring file movement or deletion. It accelerates existing macOS mechanisms rather than introducing third-party storage hierarchies, ensuring full compatibility with System Integrity Protection and FileVault.
2. Innovative features: Combines enterprise-grade scheduling precision with consumer-friendly controls, offering millisecond-level timing accuracy for scans through Swift DispatchQueue APIs. Unique "Space Impact" forecasting predicts potential storage gains before executing offloads, using file metadata analysis.
3. Competitive advantages: Consumes <15MB memory during scans through Swift-native efficiency, outperforming Electron-based alternatives. Operates entirely within macOS sandboxing constraints, requiring no kernel extensions or elevated privileges. Passes all App Store notarization checks for M1/M2 Silicon compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does Offloader determine which files to offload? Offloader cross-references iCloud Drive's internal synchronization logs with user-configured inactivity periods to identify eligible files. It uses macOS File Tags and extended attributes to verify cloud availability status before initiating any removal. The process skips system-critical files and those modified within the configured delay window.
2. What happens when Offloader offloads a file? Will I lose my data? Offloader triggers macOS's native stub file creation process, replacing local copies with cloud pointers that maintain Finder previews and metadata. Original files remain accessible in iCloud Drive and download on demand when opened. No data deletion occurs—only local storage optimization through Apple-approved methods.
3. How do I configure the wait time before files are offloaded? Users set thresholds via a dropdown menu in Offloader's preferences, choosing from 1h/6h/12h/24h/3d/7d/30d presets or entering exact values. Configuration applies immediately to subsequent scans, with visual indicators showing next eligible offload times for recently accessed files.