Backblaze no longer backing up cloud-based files

Software
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100%. In fact when I responded asking for a refund I got another “chatbot” answer that said I can reply to ask to talk to a human. Nothing heard back on that one yet.

So far I have Arq running on a free trial to see if it can scoop up my iCloud files or not. I’m also confused why Arq might be able to snag them but Backblaze cannot (to @Bmosbacker’s question). I figure the best way is to run a test and see if it works (the only thing it costs me is upload data/time). It’s about half way complete so we will see!

If this is an iCloud-only problem and Arq cannot solve it, I’m in a pickle. I’d prefer to not move away from iCloud. Which means I’d probably be looking at a solution to cloud backup one of my clones, but that just adds complexity of it needing to be mounted (my computer is a MacBook Air).

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I have no idea. Honestly, I do not even know if Arq will be able to back up iCloud-based files in the long run.

iCloud is in no way a backup, which is the reason why I am careful to have several (local and remote) backups in place of data being stored in iCloud locations on my Mac. I make sure to have everything downloaded to my main Mac. I do not use “optimize storage”. So far, I have been fine. :slight_smile:

My solution is to do a local backup (my Mac is being cloned daily anyway). If no cloud backup service will be able to back up my iCloud data, I will use the local backup as a source for the cloud backup. And this will work with any service.

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I’ve been using an old version of Arq 7 (standalone version) for several years. It backed up iCloud files without issue (always downloaded, Optimize Mac Storage turned off) through multiple macOS versions.

Arq supports a range storage location types. That means I can utilize “idle” storage in Microsoft 365, Google Drive, etc to have multiple copies of important data without paying extra. I happen to have 1TB in OneDrive from work, which is my primary Arq backup location.

I prefer this kind redundancy to Backblaze as a single point of failure.

Development of the Arq app is slow. That is kind of expected for a mature, set-and-forget utility which demands high reliability.

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I’m currently kicking off a Parachute Backup to an external SSD, alongside Photos, to check that’s still working. Then, i’ll see if Backblaze pulls that backup correctly, which it should. Will be happy then.

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I was just about to subscribe to Arq when I saw your post. Would you let us know if it works?

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I may subscribe to Arq. In the meantime, I purchasing a Crucial’s X10 Pro for Mac 4TB drive for use with Time Machine. I guess I’ll cancel my BB subscription but I may email them first to see if I can get a direct, simple, honest answer. I may be asking for too much. :wink:

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Hi, I’m Katie, and I’m well-trained to have an opinion

This thread impels me to reconsider my cloud backup solution. I’ve been frustrated often with Backblaze’s lack of customer care and poor communication. A couple years ago I found it wasn’t backing up – and didn’t warn me – because I had exceeded some obscure limitation that I wasn’t aware of. I should have quit then, but that problem is the archives I have on Backblaze, now, that I would have to retrieve from them on one of their drives, start up a new service that allows me to upload that history, and then carefully flick the switch to end one service and start the other.

Backblaze is a small company, comparatively, and seems to have a shrinking customer base, if my reading of their 10Qs is accurate.

Katie

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I just submitted my inquiry. I was very clear and provided a screenshot of how I have Finder set up for BB. I also stated plainly that I expect an answer from a human, not a bot.

Here is what I sent:

I want to make sure that all my crucial files are actually being backed up. As shown on the attached, I have my files in iCloud, under application folder, e.g., as shown for Pages. I have the folders and all documents downloaded to my Mac and Kept Downloaded. I need a straightforward answer from a human, not a bot. Are my files being backed up?

Here is the preliminary response:

Hi there,
​
Thanks for reaching out!
​
I appreciate your patience through this. I am handing off your request to a live agent for review.

An agent will follow up with you within 24 hours

Here is the response I received:

< > Erech (Backblaze Help)

Apr 8, 2026, 10:02 PDT

Hello,

Thanks for writing in! Yes, this is correct. Recent updates to macOS and iCloud prevent us from backing up files that remain iCloud-managed. iCloud’s most recent update prevents Backblaze from backing up files that iCloud synced. We do have an article detailing this information.

Back Up iCloud Drive

Sincerely,

Erech
The Backblaze Team

I’m still confused so I replied as follows:

Thank you for the prompt response. I apologize but I’m still a bit confused. As indicated in the attachment I sent, I have all files showing as downloaded and Kept Downloaded on my Mac, but they also sync with my iPhone and iPad, which I want and need. I have optimize storage off. I have attached a screenshot of my Store in iCloud settings. So, based on this, is BB backing up my files? Again, I apologize for not fully understanding this; I’m not highly technical, through proficient. Thank you.

My reply included this screenshot:

CleanShot 2026-04-08 at 12.41.02@2x
CleanShot 2026-04-08 at 12.41.02@2x960×784 92.2 KB

Based on what support sent me and my reply, what is your understanding? I’m a bit confused by all of this.

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I just picked up the Crucial X10 Pro for Mac 4TB. I’ll set it up and backup to it this afternoon. That is not an inexpensive drive. It equals approx 5 year’s of a BB subscription. :frowning:

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I’m cheap, and while I know it’s slower, I’m going to buy a new and hard drive (not an SSD) for backup once I order an iMac, sometime later this year, probably.

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I updated my post above.

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I went through this with Backblaze. I even pointed out that others (Arq, iDrive) were backing up iCloud files localized on my MacBook Pro. They just repeated that it was Apple’s fault. I was within a time window so they refunded our church’s payment. I guess my main frustration is no notification of users and it’s not noted on the signup page.

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I may try Arq, but I’ll send them a question to confirm that they can in fact backup my Mac. Nevertheless, I’m doing two backups now of my Mac to two separate SSDs, one cost $500+. :frowning:

I wonder if I should consider a NAS but I’m not technical so I may be borrowing trouble for myself.

I’d love for anyone to weight in on using a NAS for a proficient user but with little technical knowledge relative to most on this forum.

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I back up to a local SSD and two cloud storage locations. A NAS is just another computer that would need to be managed and backed up offsite. Now that I’m retired I let my Arq “robot” take care of backups :grinning:

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Where do you keep those?

If they’re both in your house you lose one advantage of online backups: they are stored in a remote location and thus still available if your house burns down, gets flooded, etc.

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One is in the office, the other at home.

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If all you’re doing is backing up files on a regular schedule, probably not. A NAS would be appropriate if you needed to serve files on a network and needed a RAID array to ensure the files were available to the network in the event one of the NAS’s drives failed. I had a NAS at one point, and it was more trouble than it was worth, frankly. I use a bunch of hard drives mounted in an OWC Thunderbay enclosure, configured as a “JOBD” — Just a Bunch of Disks.

ETA: I use Backblaze to back up all those disks. Everything that’s on a cloud drive (Google or Dropbox) is a copy of something I’ve already stored on one of those external drives. Yes, that means there are two copies, one in ~/Library/CloudStorage on my Mac’s hard drive and the other in a separate Finder folder on either my Mac’s hard drive or attached storage. This latter version is backed up to Backblaze.

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While local backups are important and useful as the first line of restoration for lost or damaged files, a local backup does not replace having an offsite backup. You should have both, using the common 3-2-1 approach: Three copies on site (two in addition to the original file). Two knds of media (e.g., external drive, NAS, etc.). One copy offsite.

Katie

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Arq -up until today- backups my iCloud files. You have to select this option:

Shot of Arq on 2026-04-08 at 23-45-02
Shot of Arq on 2026-04-08 at 23-45-021112×52 8 KB

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