Your Mac's Desktop or Documents files disappeared
Last checked: 20 Oct 2026 · macOS 26 & 27 · Source: Apple Support
Quick answer
Open Finder, click iCloud Drive in the sidebar and look in its Desktop and Documents folders. Your files are most likely there, and you can drag them back to your Mac.
Why it happens
When Desktop & Documents Folders is switched off in iCloud, macOS leaves your files in iCloud Drive and gives your Mac new, empty Desktop and Documents folders. So the desktop looks wiped, but nothing has been deleted. The same happens if someone else turned the setting off for you.
How to fix it
Click the Finder icon in the Dock, then click iCloud Drive in the sidebar.
Open the Desktop folder inside iCloud Drive. Check the Documents folder there too.
Finder›iCloud Drive›Desktop
Select your files, then drag them onto Desktop or Documents in the Finder sidebar. Dragging moves them off iCloud, so they'll stop showing on your other devices. Hold Option while you drag to copy them instead.
Files with a small cloud icon are stored in iCloud only. They download when you open or move them, so give big ones a minute on a slow connection.
Still not fixed?
If Desktop in the Finder sidebar still shows your files but the desktop itself looks empty, the icons are only hidden. Open Desktop & Dock settings and tick On Desktop next to Show Items. It's easy to switch off by accident, especially if you've used Stage Manager.
Desktop & Dock›Desktop & Stage Manager›Show Items›On Desktop
Want your Desktop and Documents in iCloud again instead? Turn Desktop & Documents Folders back on in Apple Account > iCloud > Drive, and your Mac's Desktop and Documents use the iCloud copies again.
Apple Account›iCloud›Drive›Desktop & Documents Folders
No iCloud Drive in the sidebar? Choose Finder > Settings, click Sidebar and tick iCloud Drive.
Finder›Settings…›Sidebar›iCloud Drive
If the files aren't in iCloud Drive either, check the Trash, then sign in at iCloud.com, open Drive and look in Recently Deleted. Files stay there for 30 days.
If you back up with Time Machine, open the Desktop folder in Finder, then use Time Machine to restore an earlier copy of your files.
If your files are in none of these places, contact Apple Support before you change anything else, so nothing gets overwritten.
Questions people ask
Where did my desktop files go on my Mac?
If iCloud's Desktop & Documents Folders was turned off, they're in iCloud Drive, in a folder called Desktop. Open it in Finder and drag them back.
Did turning off iCloud delete my Documents folder?
No. The files stay in iCloud Drive, and your Mac gets a new, empty Documents folder. Move the files back from iCloud Drive's Documents folder.
Why are my desktop files gone after an update?
First check Desktop in the Finder sidebar. If your files are there, the desktop icons are only hidden: tick On Desktop next to Show Items in Desktop & Dock settings. If that folder is empty too, look in iCloud Drive's Desktop folder.
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