Folders disappeared from desktop on Mac? Or even worse, everything on desktop disappeared on Mac? Don’t panic. This article will show you how to easily recover folders disappeared from Mac desktop in 2022 and list 10 common fixes you can try. There is also an extended bonus tip to recover accidentally deleted desktop folders on Mac easily.
It's uncommon but we do run into the trouble of Mac Desktop Folders Disappeared. This can be a big problem, because it leads to data loss and affects our work. Desktop folders disappeared on Mac can be caused by different reasons and here we conclude as follows:
Then where did these disappeared folders go? Basing on the reasons we list above, they may be moved to Trash bin, to a new location, hidden somewhere on your Mac and we need to get them back.
With different reasons causing disappeared desktop folders, it may require different fixes. Let’s start with the common ones.
This is a pretty easy, quick fix, but it actually solves the issue in some cases.
Sometimes, the disappeared desktop folders are just moved to a new location by accidentally enabling the transfer actions with your mouse or key combination. We can search on our mac and put the disappeared folders back to the desktop.
If a folder or all your Mac desktop folders disappeared because they have been hidden for some reason, you can view and find the hidden folders by using Terminal.
The Mac desktop icons disappeared problem also occurs. There are two solutions you can try.
Some people may need to change their Mac usernames for one reason or another. Sometimes, the change will cause the folder disappeared from desktop problem. What’s more, other things such as the background picture will also be gone. It’s can be fixed by renaming a folder.
In many cases, the folders disappeared from desktop on Mac issue is caused by iCloud settings. Mac makes it easy to store your Desktop and Documents folder in the cloud so that you can easily access them on all your Apple devices. It makes things convenient. However, sometimes it also brings frustrations since it could cause the disappearance of desktop items and the Desktop folder. Below is how to get back the disappeared folders.
Also, you can choose to turn off the iCloud Drive sync.
Tried above all 6 solutions but still could not get back the disappeared desktop folders on your Mac? You need a professional data recovery software like Cisdem Data Recovery for Mac to help you out!
Cisdem Data Recovery for Mac works with most data loss situations, such as lost or missing for unknown reason, permanent deletion or formatted. It provides following features:
Recover all common files formats and types like images, documents, videos, audios, etc.
Support various devices like Mac’s internal storage, external HD, memory card, USB flash drive, etc.
You can check this video to recover disappeared folders from Mac desktop or refer to those steps in the next part, it supports recovering deleted desktop folders or files too.
If you back up your Mac with Time Machine on a frequent basis, things will be easier. In such a case, you can get back folders disappeared from desktop on Mac from the backup.
One possible cause of the problem is that the desktop features have been disabled. One can fix it by relaunching the Finder. If relaunch doesn’t work, there is still another method. One will need a third-party app called TinkerTool. The app is designed to give Mac users access to additional macOS preference and settings.
The last but not the least useful method to get your disappeared desktop folders back is reinstalling macOS, making everything on your Mac run properly again by purging all conflicts or problems during the reinstallation.
However, it is not easy to reinstall macOS, we need to prepare our mac for reinstallation, back up files and follow the steps to go through the reinstalling.
It would be much easier to recover deleted desktop folders on Mac, with the best option of downloading and installing a data recovery program. This method applies to restoring desktop folders moved to Trash bin, and restoring permanently deleted/trash emptied desktop folders as well.
The tool we use is still Cisdem Data Recovery, the program we recommend to recovering disappeared folders from Mac desktop as above, it is easy to use and reliable to help you gain access to deleted desktop folders again.
Don’t worry if folders disappeared from desktop on Mac. You can try the methods mentioned above. In many cases, it’s very easy to bring things back. When it comes accidental permanent deletion, you will need to use professional software like Cisdem Data Recovery for Mac. The software can recover data loss caused by permanent deletion, disk formatting, disk failure and other reasons. For important files and folders, it’s highly recommended to regularly back them up.
Rosa has worked in Mac software industry for more than eight years. She believes that the purpose of software is to make life better and work more productively. In addition to writing, Rosa is also an avid runner.