Solved: How to Fix “Some of the files on your Mac cannot be backed up until Cloud Files syncing has completed” Error

Are you encountering the frustrating “Some of the files on your Mac cannot be backed up until Cloud Files syncing has completed” error? You’re not alone. This error has become a common headache for Mac users, especially with the latest OS updates. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we will walk you through various methods to fix this issue and get your Mac’s backup system back on track.

Apple’s backup mechanism, designed to seamlessly back up your important data to an external drive and restore it when needed, is a valuable tool. However, recent OS updates have introduced some hiccups, and this error has been more prevalent with the seventeenth iteration of the OS.

If you’re one of the many users facing this problem, you’ll want to stick around. We’ll provide you with numerous workarounds to resolve the “Some of the files on your Mac cannot be backed up until Cloud Files syncing has completed” error. Let’s dive into the solutions and get your Mac’s backup process running smoothly again.

How to Fix “Some of the Files on Your Mac Cannot Be Backed Up” Issue

If you’ve encountered the error where “Some of the files on your Mac cannot be backed up,” here’s a step-by-step guide to help you resolve it. Let’s dive into the first fix.

Solution 1: Disable OSMessageTracer and UpdaterStartupUtility

Your initial action should be to disable two background activities: OSMessageTracer and UpdaterStartupUtility (the latter is related to Adobe’s Creative Suite updates and is only present if you use Adobe products on your Mac). Follow these steps:

1. Go to System Settings > General > Login Items.
2. Turn off the toggle next to Disable OSMessageTracer and UpdaterStartupUtility.
3. Restart your Mac and check if the backup issue is resolved.

If the problem persists, proceed to the next step:

1. Disable all toggles under “Allow in the Background” and restart your Mac.
2. If the issue is fixed, re-enable the toggles under “Allow in the Background” one by one to identify the problematic app.
3. Once you’ve identified the troublesome app, it’s advisable to keep its toggle disabled until the app’s developers release a fix.

If disabling these background activities doesn’t resolve the issue, you can re-enable all the toggles and move on to our next solution.

Solution 2: Turn off Optimize Mac Storage

Another potential solution to the “Some of the files on your Mac cannot be backed up until Cloud Files syncing has completed” error is to disable the Optimize Mac Storage feature. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Navigate to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud on your Mac.
2. Turn off the toggle next to “Optimize Mac Storage.”
3. After disabling this feature, check if it resolves the backup issue on your Mac.

This straightforward step may be the key to solving the problem. Give it a try and see if it helps.

Solution 3: Toggle Accounts

If you have a second account on your Mac with a different iCloud account, you can try this method to resolve the “Some of the files on your Mac cannot be backed up until Cloud Files syncing has completed” error. Here’s what to do:

1. Log in to your Mac using the second user account with a different iCloud account.
2. Wait for about a minute to allow iCloud to complete the syncing process for that account.
3. After the syncing is done, switch back to your original user account.
4. Check if the issue has been fixed and if you can now successfully back up your files.

This method leverages the use of an alternate iCloud account to potentially clear up any syncing issues causing the error. Give it a try to see if it resolves the problem on your Mac.

Solution 4: Turn off iCloud Drive

If you are among the minority of users who don’t utilize iCloud Drive and are experiencing the “Some of the files on your Mac cannot be backed up until Cloud Files syncing has completed” error, you can try disabling iCloud Drive to potentially resolve the issue. Follow these steps:

1. Go to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud on your Mac.
2. Under the iCloud settings, locate “iCloud Drive.”
3. Turn off the toggle for iCloud Drive.
4. If prompted with a message asking if you want to either wait for sync to stop or stop immediately, choose “stop immediately.”

Disabling iCloud Drive can help eliminate the issue if you’re not using this feature. Try this fix and see if it resolves the problem on your Mac.

Conclusion

And there you have it. These are the different methods you can try to resolve the “Some of the files on your Mac cannot be backed up until Cloud Files syncing has completed” error. Officially, the developers have not yet acknowledged this issue or provided an estimated time for a fix. Rest assured, if there are any developments or updates on this matter, we will promptly update this guide. In the meantime, the workarounds mentioned here are your best options to tackle this problem and ensure your Mac backup runs smoothly.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is intended for informational purposes only. The solutions and workarounds mentioned here are based on common practices and user experiences but may not guarantee a resolution for all cases. Your use of these methods is at your own discretion and risk. It is advisable to back up your data and exercise caution when making system changes on your Mac. Furthermore, this guide is not officially endorsed by any device manufacturer or software developer. For technical issues or concerns related to your Mac, it is recommended to reach out to the respective support channels for the most accurate and official guidance.