Can't get back to original user

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Level 1

4 points

Can't get back to original user

I am using macOS Tahoe 26.0.1. I recently bought a new MacBook Air M4, and I attempted to migrate from an old MacBook Pro (early 2013). My previous username was OldName, let's say. I had already created a new username on the MacBook Air called NewName. But I must have done something wrong when I migrated, because when it was finished, I had 3 user folders: Deleted Users (containing the folder NewName), OldName showing the Home icon, and containing the following folders: Public, Downloads, Movies, Music, and Pictures. There is no Desktop or Documents folders, both of which are in the Deleted Users/NewName folder.

Can someone tell me how to move the Desktop and Documents folders out of Deleted Users/NewName and into Users/OldName. Either that or change the name of the User folder to NewName. I don't know what happened, but I must have migrated the old user folder accidentally.

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 26.0

Posted on Oct 5, 2025 6:37 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

154,180 points

Oct 6, 2025 7:15 AM in response to dadrad

I recommend that you start over by erasing the Mac and migrating content from your previous Mac.

I had already created a new username on the MacBook Air called NewName.

By creating a new Account followed by migrating the older Mac's content, you will have created at least two separate but redundant User Accounts. Next time follow the instructions offered by the setup assistant when offered. Fixing the mess you have now will be time-consuming and tedious at best.

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Oct 7, 2025 7:07 AM in response to dadrad

The question is, are the files in the Users/NewUserName/NewUserName/Desktop folder syncing with iCloud? You can go to https://www.icloud.com/, click on iCloud Drive and see if the files match. Either way, the way to rectify the situation is what John Galt suggested – erase the Mac (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase all content and settings), then start over by transferring the account from the TM backup when prompted in Setup Assistant.

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Answer 3

Oct 6, 2025 5:45 AM in response to dadrad

Yes, you migrated your old User instance. Note that if you have enabled iCloud sync of your Desktop and Documents folders, those folders will not show up in your Home folder, you need to access them via the Finder sidebar (the folders themselves are buried in your Library folder so the syncing can be managed). If you click on Documents in the sidebar of a Finder folder, are your files there?

Alternatively, post back if you are not syncing with iCloud.

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Answer 4

dadrad Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 7, 2025 5:55 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Yes, I am syncing with iCloud, and yes, if I click on Documents or Desktop in the sidebar, the files are there. I see little cloud icons there.

Since I posted this, I tried merging the deleted user folder with the new user folder. So now I have a situation where I have 2 folders with the same user name, one within the other. In other words I have this situation:

> Users/NewUserName/NewUserName/Documents

and

Users/NewUserName/NewUserName/Desktop

...in addition to the Desktop and Documents folders showing in the sidebar. It looks like I just have to live with a folder within a folder, both with my username. But it kind of bugs me that I can't get rid of the inner username folder and leave the iCloud folders in my sidebar.

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Answer 5

dadrad Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 7, 2025 9:02 AM in response to John Galt

I no longer have the old Mac, and I never backed it up to Time Machine anyway, since I have a newer Mac mini with most of the same files. I really don't think I have a hopeless situation because my only problem, if indeed it is one, is that I have a folder within a folder with my Desktop and Documents folder. But those folders are also on iCloud, so I think I'm okay. Unless someone tells me differently.

Thanks for the response.

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Answer 6

HWTech

Level 9

67,520 points

Oct 7, 2025 10:21 AM in response to dadrad

dadrad wrote:

I no longer have the old Mac, and I never backed it up to Time Machine anyway, since I have a newer Mac mini with most of the same files. I really don't think I have a hopeless situation

FYI, if you don't have any backups, then you will have a hopeless situation some day. And no....iCloud is not a backup, but a cloud based file syncing service. If you make a catastrophic edit or deletion, then that catastrophe will propagate to each of your devices syncing with iCloud.

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Answer 7

John Galt

Level 10

154,180 points

Oct 7, 2025 4:09 PM in response to dadrad

Hopeless, no. Tedious and time-consuming, yes.

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Answer 8

dadrad Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 7, 2025 8:25 PM in response to John Galt

Problem solved. The MacBook Air is now synced with iCloud, and I was able to delete the redundant internal user folder. Thanks to all for your replies.

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