Nov 16, 2020 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions

• How To Backup Everything On My Mac Os
• Back Up Your MacBook! - Dummies
• How To Backup Everything On My Macbook Pro

Or maybe you used our tutorial to back up to a Raspberry Pi using Time Machine. Whatever your setup, if you back up your Mac over the network, there’s a built-in option for verifying it. This is a relatively new feature, so it will only work with backups created by macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan). You can either take a backup of Mac on iCloud or any other external hard disk. Since one can access the information from the cloud almost anywhere, it is ideally recommended to backup Mac to iCloud promptly. Part 2: How to Backup Mac System and Files.

Most of the Mac users believe that their system can’t be infected by malware, which is a common misconception. Just like any other device, Macs can also get corrupted and suffer from an unexpected data loss. Therefore, it is important to know how to backup Mac to iCloud to safeguard your crucial information. To help our readers effortlessly achieve the same, we have come up with this comprehensive guide. Read on and learn different ways to backup Mac to iCloud right away.

• Part 1: Why Do You Need to Backup Your Mac to iCloud??
• Part 2: How to Backup Mac System and Files
• Part 3: How to Backup Your Mac to iCloud
• Part 4: How to Manage iCloud Storage Space
• Part 5: How to Retrieve Lost Data on Mac?

Part 1: Why Do You Need to Backup Your Mac to iCloud??

Before performing a backup operation, lots of users ask about its need. It is a misconception that iOS devices or Macs can’t beaffected by a virus or malware attack. Over the last few years, we have seen the occurrence of various cyber attacks that were essentially targeted for Mac. Appetite, Mac Scareware, Lamadai, and Coin Thief are some of the common threats that can cause some serious damage to your system.

Therefore, if you wish to prevent your data files from getting infected by malware (or accidental deletion of data), then you need to take a backup of your device. You can either take a backup of Mac on iCloud or any other external hard disk. Since one can access the information from the cloud almost anywhere, it is ideally recommended to backup Mac to iCloud promptly.

Part 2: How to Backup Mac System and Files

While performing the backup operation, you can either take the backup of your entire system or selectively make a copy of your important files.

1. System backup

In a nutshell, the system backup makes an entire clone of Mac’s storage on a secure device. Mostly, Time Machine is used to take the local backup of Mac. Since it is already a part of Mac, no additional tool is needed to perform the system backup. All you need is a mass storage unit that is supported by Time Machine totake a complete backup of the system. Simply open the Time Machine app and turn on the option. You can also select the disk(s) that you wish to backup.

There are also plenty of third-party backup applications that can back up your entire system. For instance, tools like SuperDuper or Carbon Copy can be used to mirror your entire hard drive while taking its backup.

2. Selective file and data backup

If you have limited space, then you can also choose to back up selected files. Even though it is a more time-consuming process, it will help you save your space. At the same time, you would be able to make a copy of all the essential files. Just go to Finder and look for the file you wish to back up. Later, you can just make its copy and save it to any other location/device.

One can either copy the data files manually to an external drive or can simply backup Mac to iCloud. We will learn about the latter in the next section.

Part 3: How to Backup Your Mac to iCloud

If you don’t want to lose your precious data, then you should know how to backup Mac to iCloud. By default, Apple provides free storage of 5 GB on iCloud for every Apple ID. Though, you can always buy added space on the cloud by paying a small amount. One of the best things about taking a backup on iCloud is that it can be accessed from anywhere.

Before proceeding, make sure that you have an updated version of OS X and have enough space on the cloud. You can check it from its official website right here as well. To learn how to backup Mac to iCloud, follow these simple steps.

Step 1To start with, go to the System Preferences on your Mac and launch iCloud.

Step 2If you are using iCloud for the first time, then you would be asked to provide your Apple ID and password to sign in.

Step 3Once it is done, you can simply check the kind of data files you wish to store on iCloud. For instance, you can enable the data on Safari, Mail, Notes, etc. to be uploaded on iCloud.

Step 4You can also visit the Photo settings to turn on the options for iCloud Photo Library, My Photo Stream, and iCloud Photo Sharing. This will let you access your photos on different devices easily.

Step 5Alternatively, there would also be a dedicated iCloud Drive on your Mac. To backup your data files, you can make a copy of your content on the drive or simply drag and drop a file on the drive as well.

Part 4: How to Manage iCloud Storage Space

Most of the users complain about the limited space on iCloud. If you are also suffering from the lack of space, then follow these tips beforehand.

1. Manage iCloud space

If you are running low on iCloud storage, then start by knowing how it is being utilized by different data files. Just launch the iCloud app on Mac and click on the 'Manage' button. This will let you devise how to get rid of the data you no longer need.

2. Turn off backup from multiple devices

If you are taking the backup of several devices on the same iCloud account, chances are that it might fall short on space. If it is not needed, then you can simply turn off backup from any other iOS device. Just go to its Settings > iCloud and turn off the feature of iCloud backup.

3. Buy more storage

If nothing else seems to work, simply buy more storage on iCloud. Just launch the iCloud app and click on the 'Manage' button. From here, you can click on the option of 'Buy more storage' and pick a plan of your choice.

• Allows you to take automatic, full, incremental, and differential backups of system, disk, partition, and files.
• Supports system restore, disk restore, dissimilar hardware restore, partition restore, and selective file restore.
• Supports disk clone, partition/volume clone, flexible clone, system clone, and command line clone.
• Supports Windows 10, Windows 8.1/8, Windows 7, Vista, and XP (all editions, 32/64-bit)

Part 5: How to Retrieve Lost Data on Mac?

While it is always recommended to make a timely backup of your Mac to avoid any loss of data, users still end up losing their files unexpectedly. If you have also lost your important data on Mac, then don’t worry. With the help of Recoverit, you can retrieve your lost files without much trouble. It is extremely secure and easy to use application that can recover more than 550 formats of files.

Compatible with every major version of Mac, it has an easy to use interface and can perform an extensive search to retrieve your lost files. It supports different kinds of situations as well. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you have accidentally deleted your files or if your Mac has been infected by malware, Recoverit will come handy to you on numerous occasions.

Your Safe & Reliable Mac Data Recovery Software

• Recover lost or deleted files, photos, audio, music, emails from any storage device effectively, safely and completely.
• Supports data recovery from recycle bin, hard drive, memory card, flash drive, digital camera, and camcorders.
• Supports to recover data for sudden deletion, formatting, hard drive corruption, virus attack, system crash under different situations.

Now when you know how to backup Mac to iCloud, you can easily keep your data safe. Nevertheless, if you have lost your important data files, then simply take the assistance of Recoverit to get it back. Easy to use and extremely efficient, it will let you retrieve your lost data in no time.

There are times when your Mac desktop files or icons disappear all of a sudden. Sometimes, you may find everything on my desktop disappeared on Mac. This page guides you to turn the icons back on, restore icons missing on Mac immediately. Learn how to restore missing desktop files and icons on Mac with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac and other manual methods on your own.

When the desktop files and drive icons disappear on your Mac, stay calm. Accordingly, due to macOS or Mac OS X update, personal settings, and careless operations, you may find Mac desktop files and icons not sowing.

Follow through the two parts below to display your disappeared Mac desktop icons and restore the lost files with ease:

Everything on My Mac Desktop Disappeared, Help

Don't worry if you are having a similar case as listed here, you can continue reading and find the right solution to make your Mac desktop icon showing and restore all missing files on your own.

Case 1 - Everything on my desktop disappeared on Mac computer, need help!

'Hello, after saving a .xls file on my desktop, all my desktop files and folders disappeared! Impossible to find them, also my bin was empty too, nothing to find or delete. Also, I didn't do any back up in the past to restore. What's worse, some drive icons are also missing! Those files and folders are really important as they are work-related. What should I try? Please, urgent help is needed. Thanks!'

Case 2 - Mac desktop files not showing, seemed lost, after macOS update.

'Does someone know how to bring the lost desktop files back after macOS update? My desktop files not showing after macOS update, how do I do? Do I still have a chance to restore them?'

Why Did Everything on My Desktop Disappear on Mac?

At times you might notice that files and icons from your Mac desktop are missing or they have just disappeared. Here are the normal reasons:

1. #1. macOS or Mac OS X update causes Mac desktop icons and items lost
2. #2. Default settings of Finder that makes no icons and items appear on Mac desktop
3. #3. Set files to hide on Mac
4. #4. The false operation that delete items on Mac

It is really shocking especially for those who have stored important files, folders, and icons on the Mac desktop. However, before you assume that they are permanently gone from your Mac desktop, refer the following points to see if you can restore disappeared files and icons from the desktop.

Part 1. Show and Retrieve Missing Mac Icons

It is easy to find missing Windows icons. But when it comes to Mac, most people become confused. It's the Finder that controls the display of Mac desktop and all of its icons, including drive icons of storage devices.

Usually, when you install macOS or upgrade Mac OS X, it renders the desktop without the drive icons by default. Sometimes, misoperations cause desktop icons missing from the desktop.

Luckily, you can show the disappeared Mac desktop icons by using either of the following methods.

Method 1. Show Missing Mac iCons using Finder

By changing the Finder's default settings, you can effectively make the desktop display the missing icons again.

Step 1. Click on the desktop or open a Finder window.

Step 2. From the menu bar, select 'Finder Preferences'.

Step 3. In the Finder Preferences window that opens, click the 'General tab'.

You'll see a list of devices that can have their associated icon displayed on your desktop.

Step 4. Place a checkmark next to the items you wish to display on the desktop.

After this, close the Finder Preferences window. The selected items will display on the desktop again.

Method 2. Retrieve Disappeared Mac Desktop iCons from Times Machine Backup

Pre-condition: You have created a Time Machine backup of your Mac desktop before the icons and files missed.

When you lost desktop settings, you can also try to bring them back by running Time Machine backup recovery. It will bring you back to the date before Mac desktop icons disappearing.

Let's see how to retrieve the disappeared Mac desktop icons:

Step 1.Connect the external Time Machine backup disk to Mac. Enter 'Time Machine' from the Time Machine menu.

Step 2. Use the timeline or up and down arrow browse and select the backup point.

Step 3.Press 'Space' bar to preview and see whether it's the one you want.

Step 4.;Click 'Restore' to restore the selected file.

After this, you can view and check items like icons saved on your Mac desktop again, including the missing files.

Part 2. Recover Missing Desktop Files/Folders on Mac

There are several ways that can help to find the missing files from the Mac desktop. Check out the workable methods and follow to restore desktop files on Mac now.

Note that the former method is presented, the more effective it will be.

Quick Fix. Check If the Desktop Files Are Hidden

Mac has a built-in application called Terminal. Using this application, you can search, delete, or modify files and folders. You can also use it to check if desktop files are hidden or missing.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to Mac terminal on Mac.

Step 2. Type defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true and press Return.

Step 3. Type killall Finder and hit Return.

This will close Mac Terminal and shows those hidden files on your Mac desktop. If this technique doesn't work, recover files from the empty Mac desktop with Mac desktop files recovery software.

Method 1. Restore Mac Desktop Files/Folders Using Mac Desktop File Recovery Software

Applies to: All levels of Mac users to restore missing Mac desktop files and folders.

Work on: Latest macOS 10.15.5 (Catalina)/10.15.4 and even older Mac OS X, like 10.9.

When your saved items lost on Mac desktop, professional Mac data recovery software - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac can scan the hard drive to scan and find disappeared files from Mac Desktop. It can smoothly restore disappeared files from Mac desktop without any difficulties.

Many users have used this application to recover 200+ files, Keynotes, Pages documents, AbiWord files, MS Office files, archive files, PDF documents from Mac desktop. Download this effective desktop file recovery software and get the desktop files back.

Moreover, if you only need to recover a few files less than 2GB, you may try the free version of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. It works exactly the same as the pro version.

Steps to Restore Missing/Lost Mac Desktop Files

Step 1. Select the disk location (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device) where you lost data and files. Click the 'Scan' button.

Step 2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results on the left pane.

Step 3. In the scan results, select the file(s) and click the 'Recover Now' button to have them back.

After this, you can save the found files back to your Mac desktop and use them again.

Method 2. Restore Lost Mac Desktop Files via iCloud Backup

Applies to: iCloud users who have set up iCloud to Sync Mac files, restore missing Mac desktop files from iCloud backup.

Works on: All Mac computers with iCloud backup.

If you have synced Mac files to your iCloud, you can immediately bring the lost or missing desktop files like documents back via your iCloud account.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your account and password.

Step 2. Click iCloud Settings and scroll to the bottom, click 'Restore Files' under the Advanced section.

Step 3. Tick the boxes of your lost files on Mac, and click 'Restore'.

Method 3. Restore Not Showing Mac Files via Time Machine Backup

Applies to: Restore lost Mac files via Time Machine backup.

Works on: All Mac computers.

Being similar to iCloud backup recovery, if you have created a backup of your Mac files to a Time Machine backup disk, you can also immediately bring them back on your Mac desktop.

For a detailed guide, you can revert to Method 2 in Part 1 for help.

Method 4. Use Stacks to Find Missing Desktop Files on Mac

Applies to: Re-organize and make Mac desktop files show up.

Works on: macOS Catalina, Mojave, etc.

If you are using the latest macOS on your computer, such as macOS Catalina, Mojave, you can use Stacks on your computer to automatically organize your desktop files by file type.

When you lose or missing files on the Mac desktop, try Stacks. It may surprise you.

Step 1. On Mac desktop, right-click an empty space to bring up the Context Menu.

Step 2. Uncheck 'Use Stacks'.

How To Backup Everything On My Mac Os

Step 3. Repeat Step 1 again, and check 'Use Stacks' this time.

After this, you may find the missing files back on your desktop again.

Method 5. Restore Missing Mac Desktop Files from Trash

Applies to: All levels of Mac users to bring deleted files saved on Mac desktop from Trash.

Works on: All macOS and Mac OS X platforms.

When you lost files on Mac desktop, you may mistakenly drag them into the Trash bin. Then you can try to find them in the Trash.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Open Trash Bin on Mac desktop, find the files that you lost.

Step 2. Drag the files you want to recover back to the desktop.

Or you can right-click on the file and select 'Put Back'.

Conclusion

Back Up Your MacBook! - Dummies

On this page, we explained why do the desktop icons and saved items disappeared on Mac, and also covered several practical methods to help you find and restore the missing icons on Mac desktop.

To make everything work fine on your Mac, you need first display Mac icons using methods in Part 1. Then you can apply file recovery tips such as to let EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac help and retrieve Mac desktop files.

How To Backup Everything On My Macbook Pro

After finishing all the operations, your jobs are done. You can use your Mac icons and files again.