Operation Modes

Changed in version 1.8.0: Added --delete-after-download parameter

icloudpd works in one of three modes of operation:

Copy

Download assets from iCloud that are not in the local storage

This is the default mode

Sync

Download assets from iCloud that are not in the local storage (same as Copy). In addition, delete local files that were removed in iCloud (moved into the “Recently Deleted” album)

This mode is selected with --auto-delete parameter

Move

Download assets from iCloud that are not in the local storage (same as Copy). Then delete assets in iCloud that are in local storage, optionally leaving recent ones in iCloud

This mode is selected with --keep-icloud-recent-days parameter

Sync and Move can’t be combined: Sync would delete the local copies of the assets Move moves to “Recently Deleted”.