Desktop Files Missing on Mac, How to Get Them Back?

It may sound strange, but some Mac users have experienced the issue of losing all their desktop files, especially after recent macOS updates like Sequoia. When trying to access these files through Finder, users may encounter the following message:

“The operation could not be completed because the original item for ‘Desktop’ could not be found.”

Why do files disappear from my Mac desktop? More importantly, how can these files be recovered? If you’re facing this issue, continue reading. In this post, we’ll explain the possible reasons behind missing desktop files on Mac and guide you through solutions to recover them.

Why Are Desktop Files Missing on My Mac?

Missing desktop files are typically related to changes in the system settings, iCloud, permissions, or file location. Sometimes, these changes can be made without your really realizing it.

• macOS Update: This is probably the biggest reason for missing desktop files on Mac. The initial version of a new Mac system often comes with several deficits, which can lead to various unexpected issues, including missing desktop files.
• iCloud Syncing Issues: After a system update, iCloud may experience sync issues. If you use iCloud for desktop syncing, this could be the culprit.
• File System Corruption: Desktop files are often stored on the startup disk. However, if the hard drive has a corrupted file system, it might cause files to be misplaced or inaccessible.
• User Profile Permissions: After logging in to another user account or creating a new profile, the Desktop file permissions might be changed, preventing your files from being visible or accessible.
• Malware Attack: Your Mac can get infected through a malicious website, email attachment, or infected software download.
• Manual Deletion or Removal: It’s also likely that you have accidentally deleted or transferred the files to another location.

How to Make Missing Files Show Up on Your Mac Desktop

It’s possible your desktop files are not gone for good but just hidden somewhere else. In this case, you need to find the right path, then you can access them and put them back on your Mac Desktop. Fortunately, this situation is often easy to deal with.

Show Items on Desktop via Finder

Go to Finder and select the Desktop option on the left. Under this directory, can you find all the missing files? If files do exist in the Desktop folder but do not show up on the Desktop screen, go to "System Settings> Desktop & Dock > Desktop & Stage Manager > Show Items" and make sure the "On Desktop" box is checked.

Related Article: How to Disable Desktop Click on macOS Sequoia: Step by Step

Relaunch Finder

If you can’t see anything in the Desktop folder, relaunch Finder to see if Desktop files show up. Click on the Apple menu and choose Force Quit. After that, select Finder and Relaunch it. Users on the forum have proven this method effective.

Find Missing Desktop Files Using Spotlight

Spotlight is a fast and efficient way to navigate your Mac. Press Command + Space to bring up Spotlight and type in the missing desktop file. Possibly, you’ll find it in another directory.

Reveal Hidden Desktop Files

While in Finder, navigate to the Desktop folder and press the following keyboard shortcut: Command + Shift + Period (.). This will toggle the visibility of hidden files and folders. Once hidden files are visible, they will appear slightly grayed out compared to regular files.

Rectify iCloud Syncing Settings

If you're using iCloud Drive to store your desktop files, they might have been moved to iCloud due to syncing issues.

To check that, open Finder and select iCloud Drive from the sidebar. Look for the Desktop folder within iCloud Drive. If you find your files there, simply drag them back to your Mac's Desktop.

Try Different User Accounts

Do you have multiple user accounts on your Mac? If so, the missing file issue might be with your user account. To confirm that, you can log into another account. If the files are visible in the new account, you may need to transfer your files from the previous account to this one. Meanwhile, creating a new user account can also help you determine if the problem is account-specific.

If, unfortunately, your Desktop files fail to show up after trying these methods, chances are the Desktop files are lost. You should go for some serious solutions to recover your desktop files.

How to Recover Missing Desktop Files on Mac

Missing desktop files can be triggered by a variety of reasons; for example, you deleted them manually, or you just completed a macOS Sequoia update. In any case, the following methods can help you recover lost desktop files.

Recover Missing Desktop Files via Trash

Let’s start with the basics. Check the Trash and recover desktop files if there are any. To find out if desktop files are missing because you deleted them before, go to the Trash and look for the files you want. If there are any pieces, right-click on them and choose "Put Back".

Restore from Time Machine Backup

Just to be clear, this method only works for users who have turned on Time Machine backup before the desktop files disappeared.

First, connect the external drive you use for backup storage to your current Mac. Then, follow the steps below to restore missing files from the Time Machine backup.

Step 1. Navigate to the location where the files were stored. In this case, it should be the Desktop folder in Finder.

Step 2. Click on the Time Machine icon in the Menu Bar at the top-right of your screen. If the icon isn't visible, you can find it by going to System Preferences > Time Machine and checking the option to show Time Machine in the menu bar. From the menu, select Enter Time Machine.

Step 3. Time Machine will display a timeline of the Desktop folder backups on the right side of the screen. Use the timeline or the up and down arrows to navigate to the date and time you want to restore the files. You can also browse through the Finder windows as they appear in Time Machine, showing the state of your Desktop files at that time.

Step 4. Once you’ve located the desired file(s), select them. Click the Restore button at the bottom of the screen. Time Machine will restore the selected files to their original location. Check the Desktop folder - are those missing files back?

Check Disk Utility for Errors

If the issue results from disk corruption, you can use First Aid in Disk Utility to check and repair your disk. However, since the Desktop folder is often stored in the Mac system disk/startup drive, and errors related to that are not easy to solve, don’t count on First Aid so much. Still, you can give it a try.

Step 1. Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.

Step 2. Select your startup disk and click First Aid to check for any errors. If any are found, follow the on-screen instructions to repair them.

Use Third-party Data Recovery Software

When the previous methods fail to restore your missing desktop files, using third-party Mac data recovery software may be your last resort. These tools are designed to scan your hard drive for lost or deleted files that aren't recoverable using conventional methods like Time Machine or the Trash.

Conclusion

This post discusses the reasons behind missing desktop files on your Mac and offers practical solutions targeting two different situations. Whether your desktop files are simply hidden or lost, with the steps we provide, you should be able to recover them and get your Mac Desktop back to normal.