OS Catalina - Can't access files.

Bryan_Watt wrote:

Hi, thanks for the reply

• "created the partition for 'security' reasons in the HD" - I read that the partitioning was done by Apple as a new 'security' feature in Catalina.

• There is nothing much significant in the relocation folder.

• My working files were on my desktop before the upgrade - Now they are missing and the desktop cannot be modified in any way.

• The files are no doubt in the Macintosh HD- Data partition - but there is no way for me to access them.

Thanks..

I suspect iCloud Drive got turned on by default— I would look there.

iCloud drive missing desktop and documents

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple ...

Set up iCloud Drive - Apple Support

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

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

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

~/iCloud Drive (Archive)

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

Bryan_Watt wrote:

My Mac upgraded to Catalina recently and created the partition for 'security' reasons in the HD and I can't access any files in the 'Macintosh HD - Data'.

• In Utilities it indicates that the data is actually in the 'Macintosh HD - Data' partition. (see pic)

• When I click 'Desktop' in the sidebar - it gives me the message "The desktop cannot be found"

I have lost access to a lot of recent work that was on my desktop prior to the 'upgrade'.

I have no back-up of my desktop.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/80e077d1-52c6-4a42-810c-32da487469ae

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/6b773150-309a-414b-b9c0-c044204517ba

Any suggestions would be super appreciated.

Thanks

Bryan

What does this mean "created the partition for 'security' reasons in the HD" What I see in your Disk Utility looks normal for macOS Catalina.

Were you files/directories always left in the default location— or did you customize and move them outside your User/Home Folder at some point? This would be an issue.

Your Macintosh HD - Data Volume is certainly showing the ~168 GB of used storage(?)

ref: About the read-only system volume in macOS Catalina - Apple ...

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210650


Was there anything significant in the relocated file folder upon upgrade?