There's only one step required to add an app to the dock. Simply hold a finger over any app on your display for a second and then drag it down to the dock. This will add the app's icon to the dock. Force quit an app using Terminal. Not everyone is comfortable using a command line interface, but they can be one of the most effective ways of getting things done. To force quit an app with Terminal, follow these steps: 1) Launch the Terminal app on your Mac. 2) Type in the following command, then strike the Return key on your keyboard. The Notification Center in OS X is the home for all the apps and websites on your Mac that need to tell you what’s going on, but if you want to disable notifications for your Mac you can click on the Notification Center icon in the OS X Menu Bar and turn on “Do Not Disturb” (DND) in the Today tab. A brief check confirms that the problem is not limited to one document or one app. You can’t print anything. Runs wide and deep across the Mac troubleshooting landscape. Should remain in. If you own an older iPad or an older Mac, not all hope is lost. Third-party apps, like Duet Display, have provided similar functions to Sidecar long before Apple launched its native support in.
- Not Allowing Apps To Stay In Dock On Macbook Air
- Not Allowing Apps To Stay In Dock On Macbook Pro
- Not Allowing Apps To Stay In Dock On Mac Catalina
- Not Allowing Apps To Stay In Dock On Macbook
Oct 26, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
'Everything on my desktop disappeared on Mac out of the blue. Can someone tell me how to restore my Mac desktop and get back Mac icons?'
It might sound surprising, but a lot of Mac users undergo issues like this related to their Mac folder icons, dock, and desktop. For instance, the chances are that some folders can get disappeared from the desktop on Mac unexpectedly, or your Mac toolbar can get hidden as well. Don't worry – we are here to help you with every essential solution regarding Mac desktop and other related problems.
In this guide, we will discuss stepwise solutions related to numerous Mac desktop issues and even teach you how to get back lost Mac folders.
Why Does Everything on Desktop Disappear on Mac?
Before we discuss various Mac desktop issues, it is important to learn what could have caused them in the first place. When everything on my desktop disappeared on Mac, I tried to diagnose the problem and discovered the following reasons behind it:
- You could have accidentally deleted a file or icon from the desktop.
- The chances are that you might have disabled dock or taskbar.
- A third-party application could have changed your desktop settings.
- Mac settings would have been altered during an update or OS repair.
- There might be some change in the overall display or system settings on Mac.
- A clash between some other kernel and local OS process could have caused the issue.
- A broken firmware process or tamper with macOS can also cause the same.
- Sometimes, a virus or malware attack can also make your desktop icons or dock disappear.
Problem 1: Folders Disappeared From Desktop Mac
When it comes to everything disappearing from the desktop, the first problem must be the missing folders or hidden Mac folder icons. There would be a problem with system settings, or you might have accidentally deleted something as well. Don't worry – we have an easy solution for both of these issues.
1. Disable the iCloud Drive Sync
Many users have noticed that when the iCloud sync option is enabled on their Mac, it leads to the temporary unavailability of certain folders on the desktop. This is because while iCloud syncs the data, the relevant Mac folder icons become missing or hidden. If you want, you can wait for the sync to finish or disable it altogether.
- Firstly, go to your Mac's System Preferences and open the iCloud application.
- From here, disable the iCloud Drive option by unchecking it.
- If you want, you can also go to its 'Options' to further customize things.
In the end, close the iCloud application on your Mac and go to the desktop to see if the icons are still missing or not on Mac.
2. Use a Missing Folder Recovery Tool
If you have accidentally deleted a folder from your Mac's desktop, then this would be an ideal solution for you. With Recoverit Mac Folder Recovery software's help, you can get back all kinds of deleted and lost content.
This includes the deleted folders on Mac as well. The tool is developed by Wondershare and is extremely easy to use. It can help you recover data lost due to a virus attack, formatted disk, accidental deletion, corrupt storage, and every other common scenario. The application features different scanning modes and is known for its high data recovery rate.
You can get the Mac desktop folder or any other content back using Recoverit by following these steps.
Step 1: Select the desktop disk.
Go to the official website of Wondershare Recoverit and install the recovery tool on your Mac. When you launch it, you can select a location to scan. In this case, we will be performing data recovery on Mac's internal hard drive (Macintosh HD) instead of any other connected source.
Step 2: Scan the desktop disk.
As soon as you click on the 'Start' button, Recoverit will take the needed steps for data extraction. If you want positive results, then try not to close the application in between.
Step 3: Preview and recover desktop folders.
When the data recovery process is completed, the application will display the results on the interface. You can go to any category of your choice from here and preview the retrieved content. Make the needed selection and click on the 'Recover' button to save your files to a secure location.
In this way, you can easily get your documents that were disappeared back on Mac. If the quick scan could not fulfill your requirements, you could do a deep scan as well. To do this, click on the 'All-around Recovery' and wait as Recoverit would extract data from your Mac's storage. While the deep scan would take more time than the quick scan, the results would also be far better.
How to Recover Desktop Files on Mac
Problem 2: Downloaded Folder on Mac's Dock Disappeared
If you are a regular Mac user, you must be familiar with the Downloads folder on Mac's dock. By default, the Downloads folder is available on the dock for us to access with a single click. Nevertheless, there are times when the Downloads folder gets disappeared from Mac's dock. You would have done it by mistake, or an overwriting of settings could have also caused the same issue. To fix this and get the Download folder back on the dock, follow these steps:
1. Drag the Downloads Folder from the Home Directory
This is the easiest and the fastest solution to get the Downloads folder back on Mac's dock. Firstly, we will go to the Home directory to access the folder, and later we will reposition it on the dock.
- First, click on the 'Go' option on the menu and open the Home directory from here.
- Once the Home directory is opened, you can access multiple folders from here. Find the 'Downloads' folder where all the downloaded data is stored.
- Now, drag the Downloads folder and drop it to a relevant position on the dock. This will make the Downloads folder reappear on the dock.
If you accidentally removed downloads on your Mac computer, you need to know the best way of recovering deleted downloaded files and folders.
2. Reset the Mac Dock
If the dock on your Mac is not working in an ideal manner, then you should consider resetting it as well. This will restore the dock to its default settings, which would automatically have the Downloads icon present. Here's how you can quickly reset the dock and even resolve issues as the Mac dock disappeared.
- Click on the 'Go' option from the menu and visit the 'Utilities' folder.
- Here, you can view all the utility tools on your Mac. Launch the Terminal app from here.
- Now, enter the following commands on Terminal and press Enter: defaults delete com.apple.dock; killall Dock
- Close Terminal and try to access the Downloads folder on the dock once again.
Problem 3: Mac Desktop Icons Disappeared
A lot of times, users complain that their Mac's desktop icons have been disappeared. Why did Mac desktop icons disappear? What can make the icons gone? Sometimes missing icons are due to disk permissions or a macOS fault. In most cases, the reason is simple. An application could have overwritten the desktop icon settings, making them hidden or go missing. Therefore, if you wish to get your Mac icons back, then follow these steps.
- Click on the Finder on your desktop and go to its Preferences.
- Once the Finder Preferences tab is opened, go to its General section.
- Here, you can see an option to show various icons on Mac. Just make sure that the relevant options (like hard disk, connected drives, etc.) are enabled here.
Problem 4: Toolbar on Mac Disappeared
The toolbar is one of the most important features on Mac's desktop, which is often termed as the 'menu bar' by many. Apart from having the icons of the important apps, it also gives us access to numerous settings and tools. Also, it displays time, notifications and helps us manage our system. Though, there could be a change in your system's settings that might have made the Mac toolbar hidden. You can easily fix the Mac toolbar missing issue by following these solutions.
1. Use System Preferences to Show the Toolbar
Just like the dock, you can also get back the Mac toolbar hidden on your desktop via System Preferences.
- Firstly, go to the Apple menu on the top left and visit System Preferences.
- From here, visit the General preference panel settings to explore the available options.
- Under the Appearance section, you can view an option for 'Automatically hide and show the menu bar.' Just disable this feature by unchecking the box to make the toolbar stay on Mac's desktop.
2. Exit the Full-Screen Mode
Mac comes with a full-screen feature that lets us have an uninterrupted and wider view of the screen. While the full-screen mode is good for watching videos, it makes the Mac toolbar hidden, making it harder for you to access its settings. Therefore, you can exit the full-screen mode to get the toolbar back.
To exit the full-screen mode, go to the menu bar location, and hover the cursor. Once you see it, go to the 'View' menu and click on 'Exit Full Screen.'
Additionally, you can also use the keyboard shortcuts to do the same as well. Just press the Command + Control + F keys at the same time to exit the full-screen mode and get back to the toolbar on your Mac.
Problem 5: Mac Dock Disappeared
As you know, the dock is the inbuilt feature of Mac that allows us to access all the vital apps and settings quickly. Ideally, you can customize your Mac's dock as per your needs. Sometimes, while customizing, users end up hiding the dock by mistake. Also, a sudden change in your OS can cause this problem. When my dock disappeared on my Mac, I followed these steps, and it quickly solved the problem.
1. Use System Preferences to Hide or Show the Dock
The easiest way to fix the Mac dock disappeared is by visiting the System Preferences on your Mac and changing the dock settings.
- Firstly, go to the Apple logo on the top and click on the 'System Preferences' button.
- From the System Preferences window, you can open the 'Dock' settings.
- Here, you can see an option for 'Automatically hide and show the Dock.' Ensure that the feature is disabled (unchecked) so that the dock will stay visible all the time.
2. Use the Keyboard to Show or Hide the Dock
As you know, Mac has a setting to hide the dock automatically, and it will only be visible when we hover the mouse over it. If you still can't access the dock, follow this quick drill to fix the Mac dock disappeared issue.
- Move the mouse arrow over the dock to view it or press the Option + D keys simultaneously.
- Once the dock is visible, right-click it to get its context menu.
- From here, click on the 'Turn Hiding Off' option, which will make the dock static and visible permanently.
After reading this post, you would resolve queries related to the toolbar on Mac disappeared, or Mac dock disappeared. From getting back the missing dock to desktop icons, we have listed solutions for every common issue. If the Mac folder icons are missing on the desktop, then consider using Recoverit Data Recovery to get them back. If you have accidentally deleted some files, you will retrieve them using this reliable data recovery tool. You can also download it for free on your Mac and use it when needed to recover missing files and folders without any trouble.
What's Wrong with Mac
- Recover Your Mac
- Fix Your Mac
- Delete Your Mac
- Learn Mac Hacks
Why is Mac Mail not working?
With a new macOS out there, some Mac users have encountered Mac Mail problems following an attempt to update to macOS Catalina.
If you are experiencing any of the problems listed below, we’ve got fixes to get your Mac Mail working as it should. Despite numerous improvements from the previous operating system, there weren't too many changes made to the Mail App in Catalina.
However, there have, and were numerous reports of the app crashing or unexpectedly quitting, which is why fixes and workarounds are currently needed to ensure the Mail app works as it should.
Here are a number of problems and 12 fixes for those who've encountered unexpected issues with Mac Mail.
1. Mail not launching since macOS Catalina update
This is one of the most common problems people keep encountering, and it seems the fix is pretty simple too.
Fix: Launch the Mac Mail app from your Applications
If Mail launches that way, drag the icon out of the Dock. Once that has vanished, drag the icon — a copy of it will be made —back into the Dock. Then close Mail and attempt to open it again via the Dock. Providing that works, your problem is fixed.
Tip: Control + Click the Mail app icon to reveal 'Open' command in the context menu.
2. Mail crashing or running slow
Now, if the above solution doesn't work and Mail is either crashing or running slowly, there are other ways you can get it working smoothly again. No one can be without access to email for too long!
Fix 1: Force Quit the Mail app
Do this the usual way, and if that doesn't work, move onto the next step.
Fix 2: Restart Mail using the Activity Monitor
- Go to Activity Monitor through Spotlight, Siri or Utilities.
- Type ‘Mail’ into the search function.
- Now click on the X symbol to force close.
- Attempt to restart the usual way - or take it out of the Dock and put it back in (fix #1), before trying to restart the Mail app.
Fix 3: Delete saved Mail states
If the solutions above don't work, let’s start to clear out some prior-state files on your Mac.
This requires going into your hidden Library folders.
- Open Finder > Go to Folder..
- Now hold the Option key and Select Library to open these folders.
- Find this folder: Containers > com.apple.mail > Data > Library > Saved Application State
- Within that, move this folder into Trash: com.apple.mail.savedState
- Empty the Trash and try to restart Mac Mail the usual way.
Not Allowing Apps To Stay In Dock On Macbook Air
Important: Back up the mentioned folder so you can put it back if something goes wrong.
If that has worked, you can restart Mail and it should be running smoothly. If not, there are other solutions below, and some that don't involve quite so much digging within Library folders and files - which aren't always so easy to find for those who aren't Mac power users.
3. Mail folders missing
In some cases, these problems have caused Mail folders to go missing - without those the app won’t work, so there are solutions to these that most users can manage without too much difficulty to get the Mail app working again.
Fix: Check your Mail Connections
- Open the Mail app.
- Go to the Window in the top menu and click on Connection Doctor.
- This will show whether there are problems with connecting to the Mail app.
- Now re-check account settings and delete and re-add your Mail account to reset this.
- Your Mail app and every email should be accessible again.
Not Allowing Apps To Stay In Dock On Macbook Pro
4: Mail app is slow
Sometimes your Mail is slow because it has to deal with tons of open windows buried beneath other apps.
Fix: Merge Mail windows
Specifically for this your email client has a lesser-known command called 'Merge All Windows'.
Click on Mail > Window
Now, choose 'Merge All Windows'
Close the redundant windows to minimize the impact on your Mail's memory. Hopefully, it will get snappier.
Click on Mail > Window
Now, choose 'Merge All Windows'
Close the redundant windows to minimize the impact on your Mail's memory. Hopefully, it will get snappier.
5: Mail app junk
As outlined above, there are a number of fixes for Mail not working. Some of them require a certain amount of technical confidence and know-how. It is also worth noting that deleting the wrong folder or file within Library could disable another app accidentally. But, luckily, there's a software that can do all the fixing for you.
Fix 1: Repair Mail settings with CleanMyMac X
CleanMyMac X is a Mac maintenance app that is notarized by Apple. It's developed by MacPaw, the makers of various productivity tools for Mac. The latest version of CleanMyMac has tools that help you troubleshoot Mail, beyond other things.
- Download CleanMyMac X free edition.
- Click on Mail Attachments.
Now, if you click Scan, the app will search for unnecessary files in Mail it can delete.
Now open Mail again — it should be working as good as new.
Fix 2: Reset the Mail App (nuclear option)
One of the quick fixes that works in 99% of the cases is to “reset” the Mail App. I use CleanMyMac X for this operation. It doesn’t delete the program itself but brings it back to its default state. This operation solves many app conflicts and incompatibilities. Also, your user files stay safe and are not being affected.
To enable this feature you need to do one preliminary step: open CleanMyMac X Preferences.
Not Allowing Apps To Stay In Dock On Mac Catalina
Have you installed CleanMyMac X? Ok, let's go.
Click CleanMyMac X (in the upper menu) > Preferences.
Click on Ignore List and choose Uninstaller.
Uncheck 'Ignore system applications' box.
Click CleanMyMac X (in the upper menu) > Preferences.
Click on Ignore List and choose Uninstaller.
Uncheck 'Ignore system applications' box.
We've just allowed CleanMyMac X to reset your Mail app.
Not Allowing Apps To Stay In Dock On Macbook
The reset procedure:
- Launch the Uninstaller tool in CleanMyMac X.
- Choose Mail app in the list of Apple apps.
- Click on the Uninstall button with arrows — this reveals the Reset button.
- Click Reset.
As we mentioned above, CleanMyMac X is a really useful Mac performance improvement app. It comes with a whole load of features and tools that improve how a Mac runs, and can get your Mail app up and running again without stress or it taking very long. Hope you are receiving mail again — stay tuned for more Mac tips.