Network icon doesn't display in Finder Sidebar under Locations

I'm trying to follow steps in "Transfer files between a Mac with Apple silicon and another Mac" (https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-a-mac-apple-silicon-mchlb37e8ca7/11.0/mac/11.0) so that I can connect my M1Air to my Intel Mac Mini.

I can follow all the steps up to 7. There is no Network option displaying in the Finder sidebar under Locations.

• From Finder/Go/Network I can get a window called Network to open but there's nothing listed. (And I'm not sure this is the same as the Network location in the Finder sidebar.

Both the Air and the Mini are running MacOS 11.5.2 (Big Sur).

The Air shows up in Apple/About This Mac/System Report/Thunderbolt/USB4 - so it appears to be connected to the Mini and recognized.

BUT:

• The Air doesn't show up in Network under Locations in Finder sidebar (there is no Network item displayed under Locations), and I have everything checked under Finder/Preferences/Sidebar/Locations
• The Air doesn't show up in Disk Utility/View/Show All Devices is selected (https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/view-devices-volumes-disk-utility-mac-dskud6b39edb/mac)
• I logged into another Administrator account and there is no Network item under Locations in the Finder Sidebar
• Logging in in safe mode on the Mini doesn't show the Air or the Network item in the Finder Sidebar (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262)

What else can I set/test to see if I can get the Mini to be able to recognize the Air as an external disk?

I'm hoping to be able to transfer files by connecting them this way. Thanks for your informed tips!