Finder sidebar will not show any devices

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Level 1

25 points

Finder sidebar will not show any devices

I wanted to add new music to my iPhone 8 using my new MacBook air. But I find that no devices will show up in the Finder sidebar. I plugged in my external hard drive and its icon appears on the desktop but it does not show up in the sidebar. System report shows both the iPhone and the hard drive are connected. Tried Finder prefs, changing cables, changing USB ports, restarting, upgrading software, all the common fixes. Nothing. Spent an hour on the phone with Apple Support, went through all the steps again, finally they had me reinstall MacOS on the MacBook. Still nothing. I'm beginning to think it's a glitch in Ventura. Any thoughts?

MacBook Air 15″

Posted on Sep 3, 2023 7:13 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

67,594 points

Sep 4, 2023 1:48 AM in response to Rob Corin

Go to Finder->Settings->Sidebar and make sure that "Hard Disks", "External Disks" and "CDs, DVDs and iOS Devices" are all CHECKED.

If you still don't see them after that, maybe "Locations" is twirled closed. Hover the mouse pointer near the word "Locations" in the Sidebar and click the ">" to twirl this section of the Sidebar open.

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Answer 2

Sep 5, 2023 2:00 AM in response to Rob Corin

FWIW, this sort of behavior where there are sections that can be twirled open or closed and the controls are hidden is common in the mac, not just the Finder. It works exactly the same way in Mail, and other places like Final Cut Pro. It is only perplexing until you become acquainted with it.

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Answer 3

Jun 5, 2024 1:37 PM in response to Rob Corin

I have spent hours trying to see my devices in the sidebar after they suddenly disappeared, (I must have unknowingly "twirled" the arrow)and you solved my problem with a simple click. Thank you very much.

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Answer 4

Rob Corin Author

Level 1

25 points

Sep 4, 2023 7:17 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Hey Luis, yes the sidebar settings was one of the first things we checked. However, the twirling... That was it!

1 - why would the Locations portion of the sidebar be twirled closed by default on a new MacBook?

2 - that little arrow is tiny, and is invisible unless you mouse over the word.

3 - I spent an hour on the phone with Apple "Experts", and nobody ever suggested that.

4 - No online articles on the subject mention that as a possible solution either.

Good job, thanks!

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Finder sidebar will not show any devices

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