Shared drives not displaying on macOS 26 Tahoe

Connected Servers ≠ Shared

Your Shared folder is empty. There is nothing wrong with that. It is not a bug. You can also hide the fully qualified pathname to that folder if its appearance concerns you. If you would like instructions just ask. Don't ask ChatGPT unless you want all kinds of solutions that do not work.

but when I click on it, I get consistently this path string:

I do not understand what you mean by that or how that path makes its appearance so I will assume some setting became misconfigured.

If the folder named Shared is not serving any useful purpose for you in your Mac's Sidebar, simply drag it out and it will be gone. Then, if you want a convenient way to connect to network devices advertising sharing services, first please review Connect your Mac to shared computers and servers - Apple Support. You can add those devices to the Finder Sidebar as it explains.

ChatGPT is mumbling all kind of solutions that do not work.

That's what it does best.

Now I understand, you are not referring to the Shared folder in Users, but rather the Shared Smart Folder that can be shown adjacent to Recents (another Smart Folder).

You are misunderstanding the function of the Shared folder (dangers of relying on ChatGPT and other AI sources of information, probably). The Shared folder shows files shared for Collaboration via Apple's iCloud Drive.

See this: Use iCloud to share and collaborate on files and folders - Apple Support

Not something I use, but for example if I secondary-click a file saved on my iCloud Drive then the Share option, in addition to the usual ability to use AirDrop, Messages, etc., there's a drop-down menu that can be set to Collaborate, and if I choose that then share it with someone, that file shows up in the Shared Smart Folder in Finder. Likewise, if someone shared a file with me that way, it would show up in that folder.

In your case, it's not showing any files because you have not shared any files via iCloud Drive nor has anyone else shared files with you in that way.

titust wrote:

No ? Really? I am wrong? :)

Then me please what is the role the Shared, what should I see in there and in what circumstances?

Shouldn't I see my Printers, my Windows PCs, my older Macbook, my shares? Then what?

FYI, there are multiple things in macOS where "Shared" comes into play and they are all different. Both @neuroanatomist & @John Galt were trying to explain them in order to figure out which one you meant. Seems @neuroanatomit figured it out (the screenshot was the critical part for contributors to understand your question & issue).

• • Shared Folder in the "/Users/Shared" folder to share items between other macOS user accounts located on the same device.

• • There is a network based File Sharing where you can share folders & drives where you can configure macOS to allow another computer to see files on your Mac (@John Galt mentioned this one too).

• • Shared iCloud folder as noted & confirmed by @neuroanatomist mentioned and appears to be the "Shared" folder/drive you are actually asking about from your screenshot.

AI is completely over hyped! While AI does have some valid use for very specific & limited circumstances, in general people should avoid it for gathering information. While AI results will contain some valid information, it will also contain misinformation as well. How do you tell which is which? Exactly, you cannot unless you already know the topic well enough. It is being hyped in order to raise more money for those AI companies. It is all about big companies getting more money. It is like the 3D TV & movie fad some years ago. Remember all the hype for 3D? It is rare to see any new 3D movies or TVs these days. They are not quite the same since AI will be around in some form, but right now general AI is no different than 3D movies & TV was for a while.

AI doesn't know what "Shared" you are actually asking about since I detailed the two most common macOS references first, then the third iCloud one which I didn't even know about until I read @neuroanatomist's post. I'm sure there may even be some more as well. Re-reading your post, I forgot about Printer Sharing.

titust wrote:

No ? Really? I am wrong? :)

Then me please what is the role the Shared, what should I see in there and in what circumstances?

Shouldn't I see my Printers, my Windows PCs, my older Macbook, my shares? Then what?

Yes, you’re wrong. I provided the answer already, in this thread.

Shared drives not displaying on macOS 26 … - Apple Community

If you think it should show something other than what Apple says that it should show, feel free to provide documentation from Apple to support your belief. Here is Apple’s example screenshot.

Where are the “Printers, my Windows PCs, my older Macbook, my shares”? Hint: not there because they’re not supposed to be.

The Shared folder (in the Users folder that's at the top level of your internal drive) is intended for resources that are shared across multiple Users of the Mac. For example, when you install software that requires an installer (as opposed to dragging the app to the Applications folder), you are often given the option of installing for only the current used or for all users on the computer. If you choose the latter, the resources for the app are put in the Shared folder. For example, mine has subfolders for Adobe items, etc., and a few Previously Relocated Items folders that macOS dumps there during updates (those can be deleted if they bother you).

Are you asking for a reason other than curiosity? My Shared folder is <100 MB, not a cause for concern at all. I have seen a report of it 'swelling', in that case it was because a security camera app was saving the video footage to the Shared folder.

If you mount other drives via SMB, those show up in the Locations section of your Finder sidebar and/or on your desktop depending on how you have Finder settings configured. They have nothing to do with the Shared folder.

titust wrote:

You don't get, do you. In the Shared in Finder is supposed to show something not just an empty folder. Like: ...

Is that what ChatGPT told you?

Why am I not surprised.

That's not what Google and other AI told me.

As we have been saying. Don't use Google. Don't use AI. Do use Apple Support Communities. We have been around a lot longer than those newbies.