local desktop and documents folder disappeared

I recently updated to Monterey 12.6 and after the update, the local documents and desktop folder disappeared and I can not get them back. Ive played with all the iCloud settings too. After numerous calls to Apple support, one person told me that Apple removed those options in the latest update. I find that very hard to believe. She said they want you to use iCloud for everything. The only thing I have is an iCloud desktop and documents folder now. I had to copy all the files I wanted out of iCloud and download to a new location on my hard drive. Now those files dont get backed up automatically to iCloud if I update them. Can anybody confirm if this is true or not true? I dont see anything about it online anywhere so Im struggling to believe they would remove those folders. Thanks in advance

Posted on Oct 24, 2022 06:26 PM

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Posted on Oct 24, 2022 07:16 PM

What does "played with all the iCloud settings" mean?

You open AppleID Settings > iCloud > iCloud Drive > Options

Disable Desktop & Documents folders.

Follow the instructions for restoring your Desktop and Documents files.

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


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5 replies

Nov 15, 2022 05:14 PM in response to Barney-15E

Hey Barney, I was looking for a solution to the same issue and I came across to your solution proposal, first I gotta ask, which version of MacOS are you currently using? Because, I suspect you are not answering for the same version as the author asks, because the options you are referring to is no longer available as the UI has been changed in the recent versions of MacOS and an option for toggling documents and desktop folder is gone. Maybe a visual would help, please see it attached.

Oct 24, 2022 07:22 PM in response to Barney-15E

None of those options work. Have had multiple calls with apple support, like I said I was told they removed the local desktop and documents folder. I just updated to Ventura..still dont have a local desktop and documents folder that syncs to iCloud Drive. I thought the point was the local docs and desktop folders automatically synced to iCloud Drive, which it was it did until I did an update a month ago and now those folders are gone. I can get a "documents-local" and "desktop-local" if I turn off the iCloud Drive documents and desktop folder option..but then sync option to iCloud is gone

Oct 24, 2022 07:40 PM in response to rdchris814

Do you really think I would tell you how to disable it if it didn't work.

I can get a "documents-local" and "desktop-local" if I turn off the iCloud Drive documents and desktop folder option..but then sync option to iCloud is gone

Do you want your Desktop & Documents in iCloud Drive or not? If you want to sync them with iCloud Drive, then those folders show up in iCloud Drive. If you want those folders to appear in your home folder, disable Desktop & Documents in iCloud Drive.

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local desktop and documents folder disappeared

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