[9 Fixes] Files Missing After Upgrading To macOS Tahoe

Just updated your Mac to macOS Tahoe and noticed some important files are suddenly missing? You’re not alone. Many users have reported losing documents, desktop files, or even entire folders after installing the latest macOS update. We understand that dealing with data loss can be quite stressful.

Fret not! Here, we’ll walk you through a full guide on how to recover missing files after upgrading to macOS Tahoe, from simple built-in tools to reliable data recovery software. Let’s get started!

What Causes Missing Files After macOS Tahoe Update?

On the Apple Support forum, a lot of users often ask questions like “Files missing after macOS Tahoe update” or “Desktop files gone after Tahoe update.” Before we go any futuer, let’s take a moment to understand some common reasons behind this frustrating issue:

iCloud Sync Issues: Your files may have moved to iCloud Drive or are still syncing.
Software Conflicts: Antivirus software, backup utilities, or file cleaners may quarantine or delete your files.
Disk Errors: Upgrades can stress the drive, especially on older Macs or those with nearly full disks.
Wrong User Account: You might be logged into a different user profile or guest account where files are not stored.

Proven Methods to Recover Missing Files After macOS Tahoe Update

Fix 1: Check the Mac Trash

Whether your files are lost due to accidental deletion or a system update, the first place to check is the Trash. To do so:

Step 1: Click the Trash icon in your Dock.

Step 2: Look for your missing files by name, file type, or deletion date.

Step 3: Once you find the file, right-click it and select “Put Back”.

Fix 2: Show Hidden Files on Mac

After installing a macOS update, some files may no longer appear in Finder—not because they’re deleted, but because they’ve been hidden by the system.

To see if your missing files are simply hidden, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open “Finder” > “Applications” > “Utilities” > “Terminal.”

Step 2: In the Terminal window, type and execute the “defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE” command.

Step 3: Next, input the “killall Finder” command and press the Enter key.

Fix 3: Employ a Data Recovery Tool

If you’ve confirmed your files are really missing, don’t panic. The easiest way to recover missing files after upgrading to Tahoe is by using a trusted Mac data recovery tool. One of the best choices is 4DDiG Mac Data Recovery, which can retrieve deleted, hidden, formatted files from various storage devices in just three simple steps. Here are more details about this user-friendly tool:

Supports recovery of all common file types, including images, documents, videos, emails, etc.
Handles various scenarios like accidental deletion, macOS upgrade, system crashes, and more.
Fully compatible with all recent macOS versions.
This app allows you preview recoverable filesto ensure their integrity.
Delivers an impressive success rate in real-world recovery tests.
No tech skills required.

The following are steps on how to recover lost files after macOS Tahoe update with the help of 4DDiG:

Step 1: Download, install, and run the data recovery tool on your Mac. Then, choose the disk where your files were last located and click “Scan.”

Step 2: 4DDiG will begin scanning your selected drive. This may take several minutes, depending on the size of the disk. You can use the search bar or file filters to quickly find the desired files.

Step 3: Select the files you want to restore, click “Recover,” and choose a different location (not the original drive) to avoid overwriting any data.

With this tool, you can say goodbye to any worries about the ‘files missing after macOS Tahoe update’ issue.

Fix 4: Utilize a Time Machine Backup

If you regularly back up your Mac with Time Machine, then it’s pretty easy to recover missing files after upgrading to macOS Tahoe. To do so:

Step 1: Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac. Next, open the folder where your files were originally located.

Step 2: Click the Time Machine icon followed by selecting “Enter Time Machine.”

Step 3: Locate the files or folders you need, select them, and click the “Restore” button at the bottom.

Fix 5: Turn Off the Presentation Mode Feature

Still searching for ‘Desktop files gone after Tahoe update’ on Google? Many users have found that the “Presentation Mode” feature in Parallels Toolbox automatically hides desktop files to prevent distractions during screen sharing or meetings. Follow the given steps to disable this feature and make your missing files visible again:

Step 1: look for the Parallels Toolbox icon in your Mac’s top menu bar and click it.

Step 2: In the Recents section of the toolbox, find an icon labeled “Presentation Mode.”

Step 3: Hover over the icon and click the settings (gear) icon next to it.

Step 4: Uncheck the option that says “Hide desktop files.”

Fix 6: Check Your Sync Settings

If the ‘Desktop files gone after Tahoe update’ issue persists, it is recommended to check your iCloud Drive syncing settings. Apple uses iCloud Drive to keep your files synced across all your devices. When the Desktop & Documents syncing option is off, macOS stops syncing those folders locally and instead moves files to iCloud Drive only.

Step 1: Open “System Settings” (or System Preferences) and click on your Apple ID.

Step 2: Select “iCloud” from the sidebar.

Step 3: Make sure iCloud Drive is toggled ON.

Step 4: Then, click on Options next to iCloud Drive, and ensure that Desktop & Documents Folders syncing is also turned ON.

Fix 7: Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the above methods and still can’t find missing files after installing macOS Tahoe, then your last bet is to contact Apple Support. They have specialized tools and resources to diagnose complex issues related to system updates, iCloud syncing, or even hardware problems that could affect your data.

You might also want to check out the Apple Support Community. Just search for something like “recover lost files after macOS Tahoe update” — chances are, other Mac users have run into the same issue and shared how they fixed it.

Bonus Tips to Prevent Data Loss After Future macOS Updates

While it’s not always possible to predict what might go wrong during a macOS update, there are a few smart habits that can help you avoid losing important files next time:

Always create a full backup using Time Machine or a third-party tool before installing a macOS update.
For very important files, consider keeping an extra copy on a USB drive or external SSD.
Unless you need a new feature right away, it’s often wise to wait a few days or weeks after a major macOS release.
Make sure your apps are compatible with the new macOS version before updating.
Use Disk Utility to run First Aid on your startup disk.

Final Words

Files missing after macOS Tahoe upgrade can be quite stressful, but in most cases, your data is still recoverable. Whether it’s checking the Trash, revealing hidden files, or restoring from a Time Machine backup, there are multiple ways to get your missing stuff back. If everything fails, Apple Support is always a great resource to lean on.

How To Recover Missing/Lost Files After macOS Tahoe Update