Desktop Files Missing Since Sequoia Update

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.

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!

This post says that it has to do with a Presentation Mode setting in Parallels Toolbox pPreferences. My desktop files reappeared after un-checking Hide Desktop Files and a restart.

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1fxrknu/macos_sequoia_files_and_folders_disappeared_from/

p.s. i contacted parallels support today. they said the problem is caused by a "hidden attribute value" and can be fixed for the desktop by typing into terminal

chflags -R nohidden ~/Desktop

and fixed for the documents folder by typing into terminal

chflags -R nohidden ~/Documents

similar for any other subfolder of home, eg downloads.

Yes, thank you, I had the same problem and it was Parallels Tool Box that for some reason had gone to Presentation Mode. When I unchecked "Hide desktop files" all the icons came back.

Prevailing logic suggests an iCloud problem. Chasing a purported iCloud problem got me nowhere and was SO frustrating. The presentation mode in Parallels was exactly the problem. Not sure how that turned on but now it is off and I have my desktop back. THANK YOU!

It's most likely because you have OneDrive installed also. They cannot both backup the same folders. Stop desktop and documents backup in OneDrive and it will work.

I have the same issue. My Desktop files were missing, I created new files, rebooted and then the new files were missing. I turned off Stacks, rebooted and now all my files are back. Fundamental flaw, this needs to be addressed immediately. Not sure I can trust macOS anymore, this should never happen.

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

I have found that the files and folders are now HIDDEN.

Hold down "Shift" + "Option" and hit the PERIOD Key. Your stuff will show up. It is STILL in Hidden mode, but at least you can see it along with any other stuff that was hidden.

Same here and this is rediculous. Apple can eat it on this one. The weird thing is that I can open documents through recent files on my desktop. I can find desktop folders on my desktop and open via search that is if I know what was there.... Here is a tip. I noticed FileZilla shows my files on the desktop through FileZilla. I created a Couchdrop account and uploaded all my desktop folders and files. Then downloaded to an external drive.

Also my hard drive space did not change so I knew this looked like an indexing issue.

Apple please do better.

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?

It was pointed out that I was mistaken with regards to the Keys to hit. I apologize for that mistake.

Try:

"Shift+OPTION+Period"

Try:

"Shift+OPTION+Period"