iCloud Desktop Files not Appearing in Finder

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iCloud Desktop Files not Appearing in Finder

Many items in my iCloud Desktop folder do not appear in Finder windows. I can search in Finder for specific files, and their path appears in the bottom of the Finder window as residing in iCloud/Desktop/… but somply trying to open those folders in Finder yields nothing. They're not there.

Apple - Not everything needs to be improved. Not every decision about where I want my stuff to go needs to be countermanded by some company mandate that everything reside in the cloud.

Please advise me on how best to force mac os to "allow" me to 1) access my Desktop files in Finder, and 2) put, and leave, my Desktop files on my actual computer's desktop, not iCloud. Which is precisely why I sprang for the 1TB drive on my new Mini.

Posted on Sep 23, 2025 9:16 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 23, 2025 11:12 AM in response to pheitsch

You don't say what OS you're using, but I'm still in macOS 15, and it works for me. I can click on the folder in the path and it goes to the right place. I have iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive with Desktop and Documents

By the way, we are not Apple. Apple engineers don't read this stuff. If you want to leave comments for Apple, go here:

Feedback - iCloud - Apple

What goes in my iCloud is up to me. Nothing forces you or me to use iCloud at all. Just turn if off.

Change iCloud settings on Mac - Apple Support

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

Turn off is at the end of the document.

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