I use the Desktop for “temporary storage” when I’m working on a project that might encompass several different apps. See? Nothing but beautiful Catalina Island ( Big Sur on my other Mac).

No files or folders here! A clean Mac Desktop Note that it may take a while for your desktop and documents folders to sync the first time. There’s an “Options” button next to iCloud Drive - click it, and if the “Desktop & Documents” checkbox is not checked, click it.

A list of apps that are using iCloud on your Mac appears, and at the top of that list should be iCloud Drive (see image below). On your Mac, launch System Preferences, click on Apple ID, then click on iCloud in the left sidebar. If you haven’t yet set up iCloud Drive to sync these folders, it’s easy to do. Many apps can save documents by default into iCloud Drive, and you can also create your own folders for other purposes. iCloud Drive also provides a way to sync your Mac Desktop and Documents folders, once again making them universally available to you. To begin with, I’d suggest that you use iCloud Drive so your files are available from anywhere with almost any of your Apple devices. However, there are some methods I’m using right now that are quite helpful for keeping things organized. I’ve been using Macs since late 1984, and both the organizational tools and my workflow have changed significantly during the years since I clicked my first mouse. You need to find something that works for your mindset and workflow, then stick with it. There’s no one perfect way to organize files. Today, I’ll provide some tips on keeping your digital life organized on your Mac. Maybe that Mac has been in use for a much longer time and the struggle is even worse. Perhaps you’ve been working on your home Mac since the pandemic started and are suddenly realizing that you can’t find documents when you need them.

Declutter mac program