After the Sonoma update, downloaded files are hidden on MacBook Pro

Same issue. All downloaded folders and files from all browsers are invisible. Opening in Safe Mode did not help so it is not likely an issue with an addon. It is more likely an issue in the OS.

I can make them visible for a session by using the commands noted in this thread but some applications still won't see them (especially anything running in and emulation like Parallels.)

Started after upgrading to Sonoma and have not been able to fix.

Sorry I'm only adding to your misery: me too. The full content of my 'Pictures' folder (photos and text files) is hidden after the Sonoma upgrade. I can bring up the files using command+shift+period and view them, but my photo editing apps don't see them....very annoying, I can't edit anything at all.

Hi All,

I found on Reddit that it's possibly an issue with Google Chrome and the default download setting. I updated all of my Google Chrome profile download settings and switched them to save the files in my Downloads folder, and the files are no longer hidden.

Go to Google Chrome -> Settings -> Downloads.

I also reactivated my iCloud Drive Sync this Mac and Desktop & Documents Folders settings because I like sharing files between my devices.

Go to System Settings -> Click on your Apple ID name -> iCloud -> iCloud Drive.

I had the same issue after installing Sonoma. Apple support couldn't help either. I typed this into the terminal and it worked for me. All my hidden files appeared on my desktop (some really old ones as well) and my downloaded files appear where I want them to.

It is an issue for files (.pdf) downloaded with Chrome. Safari works; the downloaded files appear on the desktop.

Apple needs to figure this out. It's not about restarting, etc. etc. It's all about Sonoma and Chrome. I know people are trying to help with their suggestions but unfortunately many suggestions go into the weeds. It's a simple problem that requires help from no one but APPLE.

It is not only a Chrome issue, it happens to files created with other softwre, for example with Capture one, they are all hiddden... :-( it is a issue from new OS Sonoma 14... before updating to Sonoma it didn't happen...I am waiting for Apple to fix this...

Lea0909 wrote:

All files downloaded, including jpg, doc, pdf and ipynb files. They are not visible after downloading from Chrome. I have to use command+shift+. to make those files apprear.

I just restarted my laptop and tried to download a google doc file as pdf and a png file. They could be downloaded but they are still hidden files.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/5257ee07-0672-4533-952a-00aaa95d6db4

this looks a bit suspect to me... what is this cloud reference?

Lea0909 wrote:

I tried to download a picture and a google doc, they all are unhidden files if I download with Safari but with Chrom, they are hidden files.

Sounds like a Chrome issue—for your third party

if in doubt search the developers website or contact their: Support/Help/FAQ/Known issues/compatibility/updates/uninstaller

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

Kgoujon wrote:

Where do I find this? I searched for Bitdefender and didn't find it.

Bitdefender is a third party anti-virus app which @alexanon has installed on their computer....that user made it seem it would fix everyone else's issue, not realizing that most people are not running Bitdefender.

However, their advice isn't totally useless since other anti-virus apps, cleaning/optimizer apps, or third party security utilities could be causing a similar issue. None of these types of apps are needed on a Mac and will usually cause more problems than they solve. If you have any of these types of apps installed, you should uninstall them by following the developer's instructions....of course it is your computer so the choice is yours whether to run junk apps. macOS already has great built in security especially when the user also practices safe computing habits as outlined in this excellent article written by a respected forum contributor:

Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community

Thank you !

A variation of your workaround worked for me using Safari:

• At top of Safari browser (toolbar area) - select the download button (Circle with down arrow)

A list of my downloaded files appears

• Select the file(s) name of interest (it becomes highlighted), then right-click mouse button and select "Show in Finder" - after a few seconds the file(s) become visible in Finder (Downloads folder)

Mac Studio M1 Max / Sonoma 14.1.1

macOS 14.1.1 hasn't fixed it either. I guess we will see a fix in 2030 in macOS 20.1

Lea0909 wrote:

When I download files in Sonoma, all files are hidden, I have to use command+shift+. to make those files unhidden, any idea about how to fix this issue? Every file(including regular image and google doc) downloaded is hidden, which makes no sense...

What files?

all the same file type?

Download how?

Maybe you can say more?

Have you shut down and restarted more than once since the upgrade?

Thank you for your suggestion, alexanon, but I am not using Bitdefender. Yet, 'something' is making my 'Pictures' folder (and some other files in different folders too I found out) hidden. If so many people are experiencing this, should apple not come with a patch?

There is a bug with Desktop iCloud synching. You should disable it for now and it will resume working until Apple will fix it.

Go to:

System Settings --> Click on your name –> iCloud --> iCloud Drive --> Disable sync this Mac (choose keep a copy after you disable it).

Or you can just search iCloud via spotlight and it will save you the first two steps.