How to restore Finder sidebar visibility on MacBook Pro M1?

Question

Level 1

17 points

How to restore Finder sidebar visibility on MacBook Pro M1?

Sidebar not visible in Finder windows

Suddenly I cannot get a sidebar in any Finder window.

Finder > Settings > General options are ticked to show discs etc and Finder > Settings > Sidebar has ticks for iCloud, Dropbox, externals etc.

In Finder > View items relating to the sidebar such as Show Sidebar, tab bar and status bar are greyed out and not accessible.

Tried restart.

MacBook Pro M1 Tahoe 26.1

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Finder sidebar not visible

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Nov 21, 2025 2:01 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 21, 2025 9:06 AM in response to MichaelGli2

To show the Finder sidebar in macOS Tahoe, go to the Finder menu, select "View," and then choose "Show Sidebar."

If that option is dimmed, you may need to select "Show Toolbar" first.

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 21, 2025 3:25 PM in response to MichaelGli2

Please post your screen shot HERE on the forums (not on any other site beyond the forums) so that it can be part of the permeant record. Use the "Image insertion" icon in the reply footer:

Then Readers who find you post by searching can understand, long after your DropBox account has been retired.

Reply

Answer 3

MichaelGli2 Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 21, 2025 2:37 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Tanks. As I mentioned, "In Finder > View, items relating to the sidebar such as Show Sidebar, tab bar and status bar are greyed out and not accessible." This includes Toolbar. See screenshot https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ldsmpwalgzu77sw0mx3w5/Screenshot-2025-11-22-at-6.35.02-am.pdf?rlkey=egzqkxbb8k6mlcs6yp2g7yasp&dl=0

Reply

Answer 4

MichaelGli2 Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 22, 2025 2:32 PM in response to MichaelGli2

Thanks for the screen shot tip. Previous image attached.

After three days (daily shut down) today the sidebar has reappeared.

The previously greyed out commands under In Finder > View are now available.

I didn't do anything I am aware of to trigger either change.

A mystery, but thanks for the help.

I suppose it looks like I'm a novice doing something stupid, but I've been using Macs at home and work since 1985, owned more than 20. Maybe I'm an experienced user doing something stupid.

Reply

Answer 5

Nov 22, 2025 2:50 PM in response to MichaelGli2

the only unusual thing I saw was that you had checked "Use Stacks".

I don't know if that is the cause or somehow related, and I don't have access to a Tahoe Mac to test.

Reply