4 Ways to Fix "File Not Found" on macOS (UTF-8)

Why can't I find my files on Mac?

After extended use of your Mac, you may have accumulated a large number of files and documents, making it possible to lose track of a particular one. A missing file could be a screenshot, a Word document, an Excel spreadsheet, or a video, and the cause can vary:

• You have too many files on your Mac and have trouble locating a specific one.
• The file you want is hidden on your Mac.
• You accidentally deleted a file from your Mac.
• Some errors occurred when moving files on your Mac.

We'll cover four methods to help you find files on your Mac, and you can choose the one that suits your situation best. If you're missing a file on your Mac, read on and pick the approach that's right for you.

Method 1: Fix “File Not Found on Mac” Issue with Software

If you can't find your files on Mac because you accidentally deleted them, try to recover deleted files from Mac Trash (if you don't know where is trash on Mac, refer to this post). If the file is not in the Trash, you may need to use Mac data recovery software for Mac Trash recovery.

There are many reasons to choose the Mac Data Recovery Wizard and the feature-rich file recovery tool for data retrieval:

Method 2: Fix “Can't Find File on Mac” with Finder

When your Mac finishes starting up, the first thing you see is the Mac Finder. The Mac Finder uses windows and icons to show you the contents of your Mac, iCloud, and other storage devices. Most importantly, it's called Finder because it makes it easier to find and organize your files. Let's look at how to find a specific file when it's missing on your Mac:

Step 1: Find the “Finder” icon in your Dock and open it.

Click the Finder icon

Step 2. Now, you can use the search bar on your Mac to find a specific file. Type in the name of the missing file to search for it. If you know which folder the file is located in, select that folder and search for the file there.

If you can't find the file by name, try searching by “Month” or “Date.”

Note: If the Finder is frozen or stuck, you can force quit the Finder on your Mac.

Method 3: Fix “Can't Find File on Mac” with Spotlight

On your Mac, Spotlight helps you quickly find apps, files, emails, and other content. You can also get news, sports scores, weather, stock prices, and more from Siri Suggestions. Spotlight can even do calculations and conversions for you. In short, Spotlight is a useful tool for Mac users.

Step 1: Invoke Spotlight using the Mac Spotlight shortcut (Command + Space), or find the magnifying glass icon in your Mac's menu bar.

Step 2. After you open Spotlight on your Mac, you can search for a file the same way you would in Finder. Type in the name of the file or a specific date.

Method 4: Fix “Can't Find File on Mac” by Showing Hidden Files

As stated in Part 1, a file may be missing on your Mac because it's hidden. You can show hidden files on a Mac using a keyboard shortcut, through Terminal, or by using a simpler method that we'll teach you – another keyboard shortcut.

Step 1. In the sidebar, select “Devices,” then click on your Mac's name to open a new Finder window.

Step 2: Choose “System” or a specific folder on your Mac.

Step 3: Press Command + Shift + . to show hidden files on your Mac. You can use this keyboard shortcut to hide them again, as well.

Conclusions

Can't find a file on Mac? No need to worry! You have just learned four simple ways to locate or recover a file on your Mac. In most cases, a file going missing is simply because it has been deleted. It's best to download the tool Data Recovery Wizard for Mac right away to restore this lost file.

Frequently Asked Questions on Finding Files on a Mac with UTF-8 Encoding

This is the last section, where we will answer four common questions. Hopefully, you have learned a lot by reading this.

How do I view hidden files on a Mac?

There are three ways to view hidden files on a Mac:

1. Use Command + Shift + Dot to show hidden files. This keyboard shortcut allows you to hide and reveal files on your Mac. 2. To display hidden files on your Mac via Terminal, enter the following command: `defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true`. 3. Recover hidden files using the tool "Data Recovery Wizard for Mac."

Can I recover missing files on my Mac?

Yes, you can try recovering your missing files with the Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool. It's as simple as following three steps to get back your lost files:

1. Scan the hard drive where the missing file was located. 2. Use filter options to locate the missing file. 3. Click "Recover" to get back the lost file on your Mac.

Why have my files disappeared from my Mac and how can I find them?

There are several reasons why you might not be able to find a file on your Mac:

• 1. You have too many files on your Mac, making it difficult to locate a specific one.
• 2. The required file is hidden on your Mac.
• 3. A file was accidentally deleted by a Mac user.
• 4. Multiple errors can occur while transferring files on a Mac.

How do I find the location of a file on my Mac?

There are two simple ways to find a file on your Mac: using Finder and Spotlight. Both of these features can help you locate where a file is stored. You'll need to open either Finder or Spotlight and type the name of the file into the search bar.