# evictUbiquitousItem(at:) Removes the local copy of the specified item that’s stored in iCloud. ``` func evictUbiquitousItem(at url: URL) throws ``` ## Parameters `url` The URL to a file or directory in iCloud storage. ## Discussion Don’t use a coordinated write to perform this operation. In macOS 10.7 or earlier, the framework takes a coordinated write in its implementation of this method, so taking one in your app causes a deadlock. In macOS 10.8 and later, the framework detects coordination done by your app on the same thread as the call to this method, to avoid deadlocking. This method doesn’t remove the item from iCloud. It removes only the local version. You can then use [`startDownloadingUbiquitousItem(at:)`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager/startDownloadingUbiquitousItem(at:)) to force iCloud to download a new version of the file or directory from the server. To delete a file permanently from the user’s iCloud storage, use the regular [`FileManager`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager) routines for deleting files and directories. Remember that deleting items from iCloud can’t be undone. Once deleted, the item is gone forever. > Handling Errors in Swift: > In Swift, this method returns `Void` and is marked with the `throws` keyword to indicate that it throws an error in cases of failure. > > You call this method in a `try` expression and handle any errors in the `catch` clauses of a `do` statement, as described in [Error Handling](https://docs.swift.org/swift-book/LanguageGuide/ErrorHandling.html) in [The Swift Programming Language](https://docs.swift.org/swift-book/) and `About Imported Cocoa Error Parameters`. ## See Also [`removeItem(at:)`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager/removeItem(at:)) Removes the file or directory at the specified URL. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)