Here’s Fix “Move to iCloud to Collaborate” error on macOS Sequoia/Sonoma

Key takeaway: This article provides steps to resolve the "Move to iCloud to Collaborate" error message encountered when using Airdrop on macOS Sonoma, emphasizing the importance of selecting the Send Copy option to avoid collaboration settings and enabling iCloud Drive syncing for collaboration features.



Airdrop is one of the fastest, safest, and most convenient ways to share files across the Apple peripheral. It’s one of the best features in macOS, but sometimes it may not work as you want. If you’ve recently been caught with an error message “Move to iCloud to Collaborate” while trying to share the files using Airdrop on macOS Sonoma, there are some steps you must try to make it normally work back.

In this guide, we’ve demonstrated the steps to fix it. So keep on reading the article.

Steps to fix “Move to iCloud to Collaborate” error on macOS Sonoma

1→ Right-click on the File you were trying to share via Airdrop. 

2→ Select Share.

3→ Next, click on Send Copy drop-down > Send Copy.

Switch to Send Copy from Collaborate before share
Switch to Send Copy from Collaborate before share
Use Send Copy to Skip Collaborate Settings
Use Send Copy to Skip Collaborate Settings

4→ Now, click Airdrop and then let your Mac load nearby Airdrop devices. 

Select the device you want to share with. 

At last, click on Done.

Further, in case you want to collaborate on the files you share and want to see real-time changes made by your team members. Then, follow the steps below. 

Note: Go to Apple Logo > System Settings… > Your Name [Apple ID] > iCloud > iCloud Drive.

Turn off icloud for Desktop and Documents folder on Mac
Turn off icloud for Desktop and Documents folder on Mac

Enable the toggle next to Sync Data. If you keep it turned off, you won’t be able to collaborate with files you shared via Airdrop or any other feature. 

Turn off Desktop and Documents folder for iCloud sync in Mac
Turn off the Desktop and Documents folder for iCloud sync on Mac

Turn off.

Turn off icloud drive for Desktop and Documents on Mac
Turn off icloud drive for Desktop and Documents on Mac

This feature is only limited to apps like Mail, TextEdit, Preview, QuickTime Player, Messages, and Shortcut. 

  1. Right-click on the File you were trying to share via iCloud. 
  2. Select Share.
  3. Next, click on Send Copy drop-down > Collaborate.
  4. Now, click Airdrop and then let your Mac load nearby Airdrop devices. 
  5. Select the device you want to share with. 
  6. Click on Done. 

That’s It! Or Complately Disable the option. Follow the below steps,

1→ Go to the Apple Logo from the top menu > System Settings.

2→ Select iCloud Drive > Diable the Toggle “Sync this Mac“. or Keep Disabled under this option “Desktop & Document Folders“.

3→ That’s it.

Disable Collaborate or Send copy option under Share option in Mac
Disable Collaborate or Send copy option under the Share option on Mac

Final Thought!

That’s It! This is how you can fix the error message “Move to iCloud to Collaborate” while trying to share files from your Mac using Airdrop. Did you really find this helpful? Let us know in the comment.

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

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