- The macOS Sonoma 14.4 update has a bug affecting iCloud Drive files.
- Deleting a file from iCloud Drive removes all previous versions.
- Users are advised to avoid updating or disable ‘Optimize Mac Storage’ to prevent data loss.
If you’re a Mac user, beware! The latest macOS Sonoma update, version 14.4, has brought along a troublesome bug that could wreak havoc on your saved files in iCloud Drive.
What Is The Issue?
When you save files in iCloud Drive, macOS normally preserves all the different versions of those files.
This feature allows you to access past versions of your work, providing a safety net in case of accidental changes or deletions.
However, with the recent bug in macOS Sonoma 14.4, this safeguard is compromised.
Reports have surfaced indicating that when users delete a file from iCloud Drive, all the previously saved versions of that file are wiped out as well.
This means that valuable work history could vanish in an instant, leaving users scrambling to recover their data.
Insights from Howard Oakley
Howard Oakley from The Eclectic Light Company has shed light on this issue, cautioning users who have enabled the ‘Optimize Mac Storage’ setting.
According to Oakley, users with this setting enabled are at risk of losing all saved versions of a file when they choose to delete or move it from iCloud Drive.
This behavior is exclusive to macOS Sonoma 14.4 and has not been observed in earlier versions.
What Are The Troubles?
If you’re concerned about the safety of your files, there are steps you can take to mitigate the risk posed by this bug.
One option is to refrain from updating your operating system to macOS 14.4 if you haven’t already.
Alternatively, you can disable the ‘Optimize Mac Storage‘ setting to prevent files from being removed from iCloud Drive and safeguard previous versions of your work.
Other Issues with macOS Sonoma 14.4
Unfortunately, the iCloud Drive bug isn’t the only problem plaguing macOS Sonoma 14.4. Users have reported issues ranging from connectivity problems with USB hubs and monitors to unexpected terminations of Java processes.
Additionally, printer operations have been affected, with drivers being removed or corrupted after the update.
These issues highlight the importance of exercising caution before updating to the latest version of macOS.
Potential Solutions
While Apple has yet to address these issues officially, there are some workarounds that users have found helpful.
For instance, changing certain settings related to accessory connections or granting Full Disk Access to specific processes may alleviate some of the connectivity and printer problems.
However, a comprehensive solution to these issues is still pending.
What Are The Risks?
If you rely heavily on your Mac for work or productivity, it may be wise to hold off on updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4 until Apple releases fixes for these issues.
Keep an eye out for updates from Apple, and be cautious when updating your system to avoid potential disruptions to your workflow.
The macOS Sonoma 14.4 update has introduced a serious bug that threatens the integrity of files stored in iCloud Drive.
Users should take precautions to protect their data and consider delaying the update until Apple addresses the underlying issues.
By staying informed and proactive, Mac users can minimize the impact of these software bugs on their day-to-day operations.
