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Desktop Files Missing Since Sequoia Update

None of my desktop files are showing up on my MacBook Pro after I upgraded to Sequoia 15.0 today. I went into my iCloud settings > iCloud Drive and attempted to turn on Desktop & Documents Folders which is currently turned off. Every time I move the slider to On, it thinks for a second then immediately switches back off. I've restarted my computer and have the same result. Any suggestions/fixes?


MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.0

Posted on Sep 23, 2024 12:35 PM

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Posted on Oct 14, 2024 8:58 AM

If you utilize PARALLELS, the issue causing the hidden files is the Parallels Tool Box. If you click on the Tool Box icon in the top bar, in the Recents section of toll box there should be an icon that says "Presentation Mode." Hover over it , hit the settings icon next to it, and uncheck "Hide desktop files"


This is the only thing that fixed my issue as I tried all the fixes in this thread. I hope this helps you guys!

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 14, 2024 8:58 AM in response to ErraticJackleg

If you utilize PARALLELS, the issue causing the hidden files is the Parallels Tool Box. If you click on the Tool Box icon in the top bar, in the Recents section of toll box there should be an icon that says "Presentation Mode." Hover over it , hit the settings icon next to it, and uncheck "Hide desktop files"


This is the only thing that fixed my issue as I tried all the fixes in this thread. I hope this helps you guys!

Sep 24, 2024 12:31 PM in response to MasterEbieX

I went through Senior Support with Apple. They cannot figure out how to get my iCloud Drive > Desktop & Documents folder to turn on (when the slider is flipped to on, it immediately goes back to off). The files are still visible and accessible if I go to iCloud Drive > Desktop. I guess I could just drag them to my desktop, but that is a workaround not an actual resolution to the issue. I even went so far as to reinstall Sequoia and had the same results.

Sep 26, 2024 7:16 PM in response to DeepGapFisher

And indeed all my files are there, including the aliases I made. The MacOS Window system(?) is hiding them!



A "Shift+CMD+Period" shows the files on the graphical Desktop. (I think @tommytron mis-stated it was "Shift+OPTION+Period". ) What doesn't work for me is when the Sequoia upgrade hid my original files. I tried to "ls" in the Trash directory to see if it's there but I guess I need to sudo to do that and I'm too tired to look up how to create a su password tonight. All this doesn't solve the problem though. Something is routinely hiding the files for some reason. Apple needs to chime in here.

Sep 26, 2024 12:57 PM in response to ErraticJackleg

I have the same problem. I upgraded a 2019 Macbook Pro from Ventura to Sequoia this morning and I literally watched all the desktop icons fly over the screen and disappear. I dont have a find ~/iCloud anything. But I do have a local backup, and I restored everything (116 MB) in my Desktop folder just fine.


When I went to reboot (just to make sure) everything disappeared again. So I repeated the restore process.


I've now moved all the desktop files to my Documents folder and put aliases on the desktop and additional aliases in the Document folder too so if it happens again I'd have a backup set of aliases. You all following this winding road? What the heck do I have to do in order to keep my Sequoia Desktop around?




Oct 1, 2024 12:06 PM in response to ErraticJackleg

I just got off the phone with Apple support for this too. I couldn't see some, and then all, files on my Mac's Desktop, which were also in my iCloud/Desktop folder. Apparently this is a known issue. After I upgraded to Sequoia, I was supposed to accept a new iCloud license. Maybe I didn't see it or maybe it didn't show up. The support person had to reprompt me and I accepted it. They also said my iCloud account had a storage discrepancy they had to fix and it should be reindexed in the next 24 hours. In the meantime I can show hidden files (CMD SHIFT .) to see my files on my Desktop.

Sep 24, 2024 6:53 AM in response to ErraticJackleg

iCloud Drive...Desktop & Documents Folders which is currently turned off.


Make some changes to your settings...





You do not want to be toggle on and off iCloud Drive...(?) unless you intend on using it.


Recover deleted files on iCloud.com

Recover deleted files on iCloud.com - Apple Support


How to Restore Your Desktop and Documents After Disabling ...

https://www.howtogeek.com/273629/how-to-restore-your-desktop-and-documents-after-disabling-icloud-sync-in-macos-sierra/


How to find your Documents and Desktop folder contents after disabling ...

https://www.macworld.com/article/3396119/how-to-find-your-documents-and-desktop-folder-contents-after-disabling-icloud-sync.html


Finder>Go>Go to Folder>copy & paste:

~/iCloud Drive (Archive)


iCloud Drive (Archive) - here you should find all your files





Sep 26, 2024 6:55 PM in response to DeepGapFisher

Correction: The monitor point I made is a red herring. All I need to do is reboot and what was on my desktop before the reboot is now gone (I can literally watch the icons disappear as MacOS starts up.) When I try to move my Aliases I had made as a safety net, I get:



Which seems to confirm the Hidden point @tommytron made. At this point, the Desktop is essentially useless to me. Someone from Apple needs to step in here.


Desktop Files Missing Since Sequoia Update

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