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

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.

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.

The problem is caused by Bitdefender. In Protection -> Anti ransomware -> Safe Files you need to remove your download folder from the list.

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

I found the solution, I think. Check this post from Reddit and hopefully it helps you! :)

(17) Arc (reddit.com)

Basically, if the browser in question is using Chromium (Firefox, Chrome, Edge, etc.) behind the scenes, and the default location for downloads is somewhere in your iCloud drive (Mine was in edge), then the files will download invisibly even if you do not ultimately save the file in the iCloud drive.

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

The ONLY workaround I was able to find was to change the location for downloading the files back to DOWNLOADS. Otherwise EVERYTHING is hidden and the SHIFT + COMMAND + . does not seem to work or do anything.

This has been bugging me for a few weeks now and today figured out a fix. In Chrome settings toggle off the option that allows you to choose a folder for each download. Voila. Now everything is showing back up on my desktop where I want them.

On January 30, I upgraded Sonoma to version 14.3. After some rumble in the jungle, my iMac started up again and decided the issue was fixed. All hidden files in my ‘Pictures’ folder’ were no longer greyed out but truly and remarkably visible. Magic.

Lea0909 wrote:

that is my dropbox setting. So everything on my desktop is automatically moved to Dropbox.

The prudent thing would be to disable it and compare your results....

Same here. I tried this solution and it worked. I've disabled iCloud sync in Settings. Hopefully Apple can fix this issue asap.

My invisible files issue ended after the macOS Sonoma 14.1 software release. Hopefully, everyone in this support post had the same results too. - Peace + Love!✌️🏽🩵

The solution is to report to Apple via this link:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

Since it's a macOS bug, so there is no solution but rather a core fix.

Unfortunately, here's the easiest workaround I've found, at least with Edge and Chrome:

1. Click the Downloads toolbar button in your browser window.

2. Click Show in Finder button (usually a folder icon next to the downloaded file's name).

A finder window opens with the invisible file selected.

3. Drag the file to any other folder.

The file is now visible from this point forward. You can even drag it back to the desktop if that's where you want it.