missing files after upgrading to macOS Tahoe

Mac mini m4 came with sequoia was running sims4 no issues with saving. decided to upgrade system. after update I discovered it was actually an upgrade to Tahoe. my wife launched the sims4 and had no saved game to load. my desktop also had a full screen of files I had not saved on this computer but on a computer I had not used at home for a few years. Any ideas on how to get the saved files back and why the old files just showed up from the past.


Mac mini, macOS 26.2

Posted on Jan 2, 2026 4:26 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 2, 2026 5:01 PM

Hey there -


my desktop also had a full screen of files I had not saved on this computer but on a computer I had not used at home for a few years.

When you upgrade macOS, during the Setup Assistant of the new installation, a feature that may be an option to enable is Desktop & Documents in iCloud.


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


When this is enabled, any files stored in the desktop or documents folder from iCloud will be synced to your Mac. Chances are, your previous Mac had this on, and old files that had been synced are now appearing.


my wife launched the sims4 and had no saved game to load.

You may need to contact the developer of the app to learn more, Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support, but, if the app saved a local file to your computer, you may be able to use Finder or Spotlight to search for it:


If you can’t find a file on Mac - Apple Support


Additionally, if Desktop & Documents in iCloud is enabled, then disabled, some of your desktop and documents items may be get relocated to a "local" version of those folders found in your home user folder (accessible from Finder > Go > Home).


Hope this helps!


-Jack

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 2, 2026 5:01 PM in response to Steve Rummage

Hey there -


my desktop also had a full screen of files I had not saved on this computer but on a computer I had not used at home for a few years.

When you upgrade macOS, during the Setup Assistant of the new installation, a feature that may be an option to enable is Desktop & Documents in iCloud.


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


When this is enabled, any files stored in the desktop or documents folder from iCloud will be synced to your Mac. Chances are, your previous Mac had this on, and old files that had been synced are now appearing.


my wife launched the sims4 and had no saved game to load.

You may need to contact the developer of the app to learn more, Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support, but, if the app saved a local file to your computer, you may be able to use Finder or Spotlight to search for it:


If you can’t find a file on Mac - Apple Support


Additionally, if Desktop & Documents in iCloud is enabled, then disabled, some of your desktop and documents items may be get relocated to a "local" version of those folders found in your home user folder (accessible from Finder > Go > Home).


Hope this helps!


-Jack

missing files after upgrading to macOS Tahoe

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