How to Show Hidden Files on Mac: 3 Easy Methods

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Hidden files and folders on macOS are typically out of sight, helping keep important system files protected from accidental changes. However, there are times when you might need to access them for troubleshooting, clearing up storage space, or adjusting advanced settings.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through several simple methods to show hidden files on your Mac using Finder, Terminal, or third-party software, so you can access the files you need while keeping your system safe.

Key Takeaways

  • Hidden files on macOS are system-related files that are hidden by default to prevent accidental changes.
  • You can easily show hidden files in Mac Finder by using the Command + Shift + Period keyboard shortcut.
  • The Terminal offers a command-line approach to reveal hidden files if you prefer more control.
  • The Library folder is one of the commonly hidden folders, and you can access it directly through Finder by using the Go to Folder option.
  • Be cautious when using third-party file managers or modifying hidden files, as they can potentially affect system stability.

What Are Hidden Files on Mac?

Hidden files on macOS are system-related files that Apple chooses to keep out of sight by default. These include things like system logs, configuration files, and other data that your Mac needs to run smoothly.

The reason they’re hidden is simply because most users don’t need to mess with them, and changing or deleting them by accident could cause problems.

That said, there are times when you might want to reveal hidden files or access hidden folders on your Mac. Maybe you’re troubleshooting an issue, clearing up space, or adjusting some advanced settings. Whatever the reason, macOS makes it possible to access these hidden files when you need to.

How to Show Hidden Files on Mac

macOS gives you a few different ways to access hidden files, depending on what you’re comfortable with.

Show Hidden Files on Mac Using Finder

You just need to use a simple keyboard shortcut to show hidden files in Mac Finder.

Here’s how to do it.

  1. Open Finder on your Mac.
  2. Navigate to the folder where you suspect the hidden files may be.
  3. Press Command + Shift + Period (. key) on your keyboard.

This will toggle the visibility of hidden files on macOS. You’ll now see hidden files appear in the folder, usually grayed out to distinguish them from regular files.

Example of hidden file

If you want to hide them again, simply press the same Command + Shift + Period shortcut.

This is the quickest way to reveal hidden files in Mac Finder without using any external tools. It works across the entire file system.

Show Hidden Files on Mac Using Terminal

If you prefer working with command-line tools, you can use Mac Terminal to show hidden files. This method is a bit more hands-on but gives you precise control over what you’re doing.

Here’s how to show hidden files on macOS using Terminal.

  1. Open Terminal. You can find it in Applications > Utilities, or by searching for “Terminal” using Spotlight.
  2. Once Terminal is open, type this command and press Enter to run it.

    defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE

  3. Next, you’ll need to restart Finder to apply the changes. Type this command and press Enter to run it.

    killall Finder

After running these commands, hidden files will be visible in Finder.

If you want to hide them again, simply repeat the process but change TRUE to FALSE in the first command:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE

This is a good option to show hidden files and folders on macOS if you’re comfortable with the command line and prefer this approach to graphical tools.

Show Hidden Files on Mac Using Library Folder

One of the most commonly hidden folders on macOS is the Library folder. This folder contains important files like app settings, preferences, and caches, but it’s hidden by default to prevent accidental changes.

Here’s how to access the hidden Library folder.

  1. Open Finder.
  2. In the top menu bar, click Go, and then select Go to Folder from the dropdown.
  3. In the window that appears, type ~/Library and press the Enter key.

This will take you directly to the hidden Library folder. From here, you can view and manage the files inside.

If you want to regularly access the Library folder, you can also make it permanently visible: in Finder, hold down the Option key while clicking the Go menu, and you’ll see Library listed there.

This is a simple way to see hidden files and folders on macOS, especially if you’re looking for files related to specific apps or settings. If you’re wondering how to find hidden files on your Mac, checking the Library folder is often a good place to start.

Show Hidden Files on Mac Using Third-Party Software

If you’re looking for an easier way to manage hidden files or just want more features, third-party file managers can be a great option.

Tools like ForkLift or Commander One give you a lot more flexibility than Finder or Terminal. With these apps, you can show or hide files with a simple click, and they often come with handy features like dual-pane browsing, advanced search, and better file management options.

Once you’ve got one of these apps installed, finding the option to “Show Hidden Files” is usually pretty simple – it’s often right there in the settings or toolbar. This makes it a quick way to access Mac’s hidden files without needing to remember keyboard shortcuts or run Terminal commands.

The Dangers of Using Third-Party Software

While third-party file managers can be incredibly useful for showing hidden files and managing your Mac’s system, there are some potential risks to be aware of. Not all software is created equal, and downloading the wrong app could expose your system to vulnerabilities like malware or spyware.

Some third-party tools may require access to sensitive areas of your system, which could potentially compromise your data or affect how your Mac functions. It’s important to stick to trusted, well-reviewed software from reputable developers. Always check the app’s permissions and make sure it only has the access it actually needs.

Additionally, using third-party software to access hidden files comes with the same caution as using Finder or Terminal – making changes to hidden system files without fully understanding their function can cause system instability or even data loss.

How to See Hidden Folders

Seeing hidden folders on your Mac is essentially the same process as revealing hidden files. Whether you’re using Finder, Terminal, or third-party software, the methods we’ve already discussed will also apply to hidden folders.

For example, in Finder, the same Command + Shift + Period shortcut that reveals hidden files will also display any hidden folders in the directory you’re viewing.

Similarly, if you’re using Terminal, the commands you ran to show hidden files will also uncover hidden folders on macOS. Once you’ve followed those steps, both hidden files and folders will become visible in Finder, grayed out, but accessible.

There’s no need to follow a different process – the tools and commands we’ve already covered will do let you reveal hidden folders and view hidden files.

What to Do if Hidden Files Weren’t Found

If you’ve followed the steps to reveal hidden files on your Mac but still can’t find them, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

Double-check the Shortcut or Command
If you’re using Finder, make sure you pressed Command + Shift + Period (. key) correctly. It’s easy to miss a step, so try it again.For Terminal, make sure the command you entered is accurate. After entering the command, don’t forget to restart Finder.
Check the location
Hidden files might not exist in the folder you’re looking at. Try navigating to a system folder like Library or Applications, where hidden files are more likely to be found.
Verify hidden files are enabled
If you’ve run the Mac Terminal command and still don’t see hidden files, double-check that the setting is enabled. You can repeat the command with TRUE to ensure hidden files are set to be displayed.
Restart your mac
Sometimes, simply restarting your Mac can resolve the issue. After rebooting, try the steps again to see if the hidden files appear.

If none of these solutions work, it’s possible that the files you’re looking for aren’t present, or you might need to try using third-party software to find hidden files on your Mac.

The Bottom Line

Being able to access hidden files and folders on your Mac can be really useful if you’re troubleshooting an issue, freeing up space, or tweaking system settings. Thankfully, macOS gives you several easy ways to display hidden files, like using Finder’s simple shortcut or getting a bit more technical with Terminal commands.

No matter which method you prefer, it’s good to know how to do this when you need it. Just be careful when messing with these files since they’re often tied to important system functions. But once you’re familiar with the steps, you’ll be able to enable hidden files and folders on your Mac without any hassle.

FAQs

How do I see hidden files on my Mac?

How do I show the hidden Library on Mac?

How do I view hidden files?

How do I see all the files in my Mac?

Why are some files hidden on a Mac?

References

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Marshall Gunnell
IT & Cybersecurity Expert
Marshall Gunnell
IT & Cybersecurity Expert

Marshall, a Mississippi native, is a dedicated IT and cybersecurity expert with over a decade of experience. Along with Techopedia, his articles can be found on Business Insider, PCWorld, VGKAMI, How-To Geek, and Zapier. His articles have reached a massive audience of over 100 million people. Marshall previously served as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and technical staff writer at StorageReview, providing comprehensive news coverage and detailed product reviews on storage arrays, hard drives, SSDs, and more. He also developed sales strategies based on regional and global market research to identify and create new project initiatives. Currently, Marshall resides in…