Hidden alias Desktop and Documents folders on iCloud Drive?

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Level 1

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Hidden alias Desktop and Documents folders on iCloud Drive?

I've come across these hidden Desktop and Documents folders on my iCloud Drive, they are Alias'. What are these/ can I get rid of them?

I have the iCloud desktop and documents sync setting turned on, my only thought is that these are to do with previously turning that setting on and off? Similar to how it creates an iCloud Drive (Archive) file in home user directory. If I delete them will there be any consequences? When you press on them they act just as shortcuts that take you to active documents and desktop.

Only other clue is that they share the same date as when I previously turned off the iCloud Drive setting.

[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Air 13″

Posted on Sep 10, 2025 4:53 PM

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Answer 1

_PJI_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 6, 2025 5:35 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

I actually managed to get rid of them by forcing them to sync by clicking on the cloud icon, but thank you for your suggestion

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Answer 2

Sep 11, 2025 9:35 AM in response to _PJI_

_PJI_ wrote: I've come across these hidden Desktop and Documents folders on my iCloud Drive, they are Alias'. What are these/ can I get rid of them?

I have those, too. They're like 27 bytes. Why would you want to get rid of them?

Desktop and Documents are special folders that are counted on by other apps. Of course, the Desktop folder provides the stuff that appears on the, well, desktop. Apps expect that to be in the User's own folder, but now they're in iCloud Drive. So, one thing that happens is that there is now a hidden Desktop alias in in the User's folder so the Desktop still works.

I'm not sure why the hidden folders appear in iCloud Drive, but I'll bet it's so that some apps will see something they expect to see. I don't know, but I just can't see any reason to delete them. If I needed to save 27 bytes, I'd be having way more troubles.

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