Maccy iCloud sync vs local storage
Maccy is local-first: by default everything stays on your Mac. It also offers optional iCloud sync. Here is exactly what each does, what travels and what does not, and which to pick.
Local storage (the default)
Out of the box, Maccy keeps your entire clipboard history in a local database on your Mac (~/Library/Application Support/Maccy). Nothing is uploaded anywhere. This is the most private option and needs no setup — it is simply how Maccy works until you choose otherwise. Background: is Maccy safe.
iCloud sync (optional)
If you use more than one Mac, you can enable iCloud sync so your pinned items are available on all of them. When you pin a snippet on one Mac, it appears pinned on the others. The transfer runs through your own iCloud account under Apple’s encryption; Maccy’s developer has no server in the path and no access to the data.
What syncs and what does not
| Local only (default) | iCloud sync on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pinned items | This Mac | All your Macs |
| Full history | This Mac | Per-device (not merged) |
| Leaves your Mac | No | Via your iCloud only |
| Setup needed | None | Enable in Settings |
The key nuance: sync is for pins, not for merging your entire history across machines. Each Mac keeps its own running history; pinned essentials are what travel.
How to enable sync
Turn it on in Maccy’s settings (sync option), with the same iCloud account signed in on each Mac. Leave it off if you want a strictly single-device, fully local setup.
Which should you choose?
- One Mac, maximum privacy? Keep it local (the default).
- Multiple Macs and shared pinned snippets? Enable iCloud sync.
- Want full history on a new Mac? That is a manual copy, not sync — see backup and migrate.
Either way, Maccy never sends data to its developer — local stays local, and sync goes only through your Apple account.
How Maccy storage works by default
Out of the box, Maccy uses local storage only. Your clipboard history is saved in an SQLite database at ~/Library/Application Support/Maccy/Maccy.sqlite. Nothing leaves your Mac. No account is required. This is the mode that maximises privacy.
What iCloud sync adds
When you enable iCloud sync in Maccy Preferences, the history database is moved to iCloud Drive and synced to every Mac signed in to the same Apple ID. The practical benefit: copy something on your MacBook, and it is in your history on your iMac when you sit down at it minutes later.
Enabling iCloud sync
- Open Maccy Preferences → General
- Enable Sync clipboard history via iCloud
- Maccy will migrate the local database to iCloud Drive and restart
- On your other Macs, open Maccy Preferences and enable the same setting — they will sync automatically
Requirements: macOS 14+, same Apple ID on all Macs, iCloud Drive enabled in System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud.
Local storage vs iCloud sync — comparison
| Feature | Local storage | iCloud sync |
|---|---|---|
| Works offline | Yes | Partially (reads local cache) |
| Available on multiple Macs | No | Yes |
| Survives Mac reinstall | Only if you back it up | Yes — syncs back automatically |
| Privacy (who can see it) | Only you, on this Mac | You + Apple (encrypted in transit) |
| Sync speed | N/A | Typically under 10 seconds |
| Storage cost | Free (local disk) | Uses your iCloud quota |
| Setup required | None | Enable in Preferences on each Mac |
How much iCloud storage does Maccy use?
A typical Maccy history of 2,000 text items uses roughly 1–3 MB of iCloud storage. This is negligible even on the free 5 GB iCloud tier. If you copy many large images, the storage can grow, but most users stay well under 50 MB even with large histories.
Privacy considerations for iCloud sync
When iCloud sync is enabled, your clipboard history is stored on Apple’s servers. It is encrypted in transit and at rest using Apple’s standard iCloud encryption. Apple’s privacy policy applies.
For sensitive environments (healthcare, legal, financial), evaluate whether clipboard data in iCloud complies with your organisation’s data handling policies. For individual users and most corporate use, the encryption level is appropriate.
One important note: the ignore list (see ignored apps guide) prevents sensitive items from entering history in the first place. If your password manager is on the ignore list, those credentials never reach iCloud storage regardless of sync settings.
Backing up local storage manually
If you prefer local storage but want a backup:
# Back up Maccy history to Desktop
cp ~/Library/Application\ Support/Maccy/Maccy.sqlite ~/Desktop/Maccy-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d).sqliteTo restore, quit Maccy, copy the backup file back to the original location, and relaunch. Full backup/restore instructions are in the backup guide.