Need help dealing with problems on my Macbook
March 9, 2025 5:22 AM Subscribe
I have two problems with my Macbook that I can’t solve.
1) iCloud Drive, Desktop, and Documents will not show up in my Finder sidebar even if I select them in the Sidebar list in Finder Preferences (other items appear and disappear as normal if I click them on and off). If I do “command shift period” when my home folder is selected in the Finder, the Desktop and Documents appear but are greyed out (as are various other folders/files, including Trash). How can I get Cloud Drive, Desktop, and Documents to show up properly in the Finder sidebar again?
2) I was suddenly unable to access certain files today (all more than 2 MB in size). These files have an icon of a cloud with an arrow pointing down next to them, which I assume means that they are stored only in iCloud but should be available to me if I click on the cloud icon. However, nothing happens if do this. If I switch from the pocket wifi I’m currently using (as I’m away from home) and hotspot with my iPhone using data, I can open them, although I would prefer to avoid this method as it takes a while for them to download. How can I fix this problem? Also, is it connected to the first problem? I ask this because iCloud Drive, Desktop, and Documents are all grouped in Finder Preferences under the heading “iCloud.”
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I am using Catalina 10.15.7 on a 2019 MacBook Pro (16-inch).
1) iCloud Drive, Desktop, and Documents will not show up in my Finder sidebar even if I select them in the Sidebar list in Finder Preferences (other items appear and disappear as normal if I click them on and off). If I do “command shift period” when my home folder is selected in the Finder, the Desktop and Documents appear but are greyed out (as are various other folders/files, including Trash). How can I get Cloud Drive, Desktop, and Documents to show up properly in the Finder sidebar again?
2) I was suddenly unable to access certain files today (all more than 2 MB in size). These files have an icon of a cloud with an arrow pointing down next to them, which I assume means that they are stored only in iCloud but should be available to me if I click on the cloud icon. However, nothing happens if do this. If I switch from the pocket wifi I’m currently using (as I’m away from home) and hotspot with my iPhone using data, I can open them, although I would prefer to avoid this method as it takes a while for them to download. How can I fix this problem? Also, is it connected to the first problem? I ask this because iCloud Drive, Desktop, and Documents are all grouped in Finder Preferences under the heading “iCloud.”
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I am using Catalina 10.15.7 on a 2019 MacBook Pro (16-inch).
My 2013 iMac is on Catalina and I have noticed some things are getting flaky, Safari is verging on the unusable for now. I am going to bite the bullet and install OCLP and Monterey on an external SSD to see if makes things better.
I would reiterate the sign out and back into your Apple account, perhaps restart after signing out, if you get no help here then try one of the apple/mac reddit groups.
posted by epo at 8:20 AM on March 9
I would reiterate the sign out and back into your Apple account, perhaps restart after signing out, if you get no help here then try one of the apple/mac reddit groups.
posted by epo at 8:20 AM on March 9
(If you're stupid like me definitely first make sure you can log back into any account you plan to sign out of...)
posted by trig at 8:32 AM on March 9
posted by trig at 8:32 AM on March 9
Oh, yeah, first go to https://account.apple.com/ in a private/incognito window and try signing in there to make sure you have the right credentials.
posted by staggernation at 9:05 AM on March 9
posted by staggernation at 9:05 AM on March 9
« Older TOKYO: Mostly Hotel Advice/Suggestions (some TTD... | Share your con-artist theives’ cant with me Newer »
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by staggernation at 7:30 AM on March 9