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I don't know where it went. There was a folder containing desktop icons but I did not create it. I don't know how it got there. I thought I could just move the icons onto the blank screen I was looking at but I didn't realize that what I was seeing wasn't the actual 'desktop'. That's when I noticed it was missing in the Finder Sidebar. How do I restore it?
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.5
Mavrckbead wrote:
Desktop is listed under iCloud and it was already checked to be in the sidebar.
And there you have it.
You (apparently without realizing it, as many many people do) have activated "Documents and Desktop in iCloud".
So your Desktop and Documents folders are now stored in iCloud, and hence are visible inside your iCloud Drive.
You can, if you so desire, revert this. Go to System Settings->Apple ID, click iCloud, then click iCloud Drive.
If you now turn off the "Desktop & Documents Folders" you will be asked if you want to keep a local copy. OF COURSE you do!
Mavrckbead wrote:
Desktop is listed under iCloud and it was already checked to be in the sidebar.
And there you have it.
You (apparently without realizing it, as many many people do) have activated "Documents and Desktop in iCloud".
So your Desktop and Documents folders are now stored in iCloud, and hence are visible inside your iCloud Drive.
You can, if you so desire, revert this. Go to System Settings->Apple ID, click iCloud, then click iCloud Drive.
If you now turn off the "Desktop & Documents Folders" you will be asked if you want to keep a local copy. OF COURSE you do!
One last thing to try:
Try deleting the Finder preference File. A new plist will be re-created automatically.
In Finder, press Command-Shift-G and paste this
~/Library/Preferences/
Delete: com.apple.finder.plist
Drag the file to the trash, then force-quit the Finder, or log out and back in.
Force Quit: Click Apple logo in upper left menu or key ‘option + command + esc’
Since you've enabled iCloud Drive and included the Desktop and Documents folder in it the Desktop is removed from the Finder's sidebar and replace by iCloud Drive:
You access the Desktop by clicking on the iCloud Drive in the Finder sidebar:
This support document from Apple on Adding your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive
refer below
Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support
With that type of setup, I do see Desktop appearing in the Sidebar of Finder
If you go to Finder > Settings > Sidebar....check to see if "Desktop" is checked (enabled) under
"Show these items in the Sidebar"
I have told you above how to revert.
Mavrckbead wrote:
You were right!! Thank you! One more question: I used to have my icons on what I think was my screen saver but they're not there anymore.
What icons?
What screensaver were you using?
I have tried everything in this thread, and it still won't show normally, when I checked my icloud settings it was already turned off to save to icloud, however when I check my icloud it's in there, and I've tried everything else to have it fixed, and it's still there, and I have tried turning off icloud all together to no avail
It’s not there
Desktop is listed under iCloud and it was already checked to be in the sidebar.
You were right!! Thank you! One more question: I used to have my icons on what I think was my screen saver but they're not there anymore.
Is there a way to get it the way it used to be?
My Desktop is missing from Finder Sidebar.
