Do you know how to show hidden files on Mac computers yet? Viewing them will help you to find out more information about the macOS operating system. Give us a minute to explain how to show and hide these important hidden files and folders!
Like other operating systems, macOS also keeps important files and folders hidden to prevent them from being deleted accidentally. The reason is that they perform some significant functions. It's hard to break something you can't see, isn’t it?
Typically, the hidden files and folders in macOS that you won't be able to see by default will start with a dot, e.g., .htaccess file, .bash_profile, or .svn folder. The directories like /usr, /bin, /var, and /etc are hidden out of view, too.
In Terminal, type chflags hidden and then drag a folder or file you want to hide into the Terminal window; you can still access those hidden folders and files by summoning the Go To Folder dialog. View Hidden Files and Folders on Mac Using Terminal Terminal is the same command line tool for Mac users as Command Prompt is for Windows users. The Terminal tool that comes by default with MacOS is one of the most powerful using which you can do almost any task to control your Mac. To view hidden files in the Finder, open a Terminal window and run the following commands in it, pressing Enter after each one: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE. This command tells Finder to show hidden files and then restarts it. It’ll show all those hidden files and folders once you’re done. Security is the primary reason some files are hidden on your Mac. Moreover, the core data needs to stay intact for the system to run smoothly. Just like the compatible yet hidden external display. Hiding files and folders is a common situation, especially among users of MS Windows computers, and just like any other operating system, OS also allows to create hidden folder Mac, the only difference being, that Apple actually hides these options (ironic for sure,) making it difficult for people to find them.
Occasionally, in some cases, you may need to show hidden files on your Mac to fix a problem you are having, or to explore the Library folder and clear out old logs, caches, or other junk files.
Below, we have described three easy ways to show hidden files on a Mac.
Three Ways To Show Hidden Files On Mac Computer
![Folder Folder](/uploads/1/1/8/8/118894101/323766874.jpg)
One way is to use a keyboard shortcut, one is typing a line of command in Terminal, and the last is to execute an AppleScript.
Let's dive in to find out how to show hidden files and folders on your Mac!
How To Show Hidden Files On Mac With Keyboard Shortcut
The quickest way to view all the hidden files and folders on your Mac is to use the Command + Shift + . keystroke. It's the same as tapping a toggle button that jumps between on and off state, respectively, to show and hide hidden files on Mac.
To make this work, open the Finder app and then press Command + Shift + . to show hidden files. Press this key combination again to hide them!
Unfortunately, this keyboard shortcut is only applicable if your Mac is running the Mac Sierra OS or above.
How To Show Hidden Files On Mac With Terminal Command
If you are more comfortable using the command-line app than the keyboard shortcut to show hidden files and folders, then follow this instruction:
1. Open the Spotlight search bar (Command + Spacebar) and type in: Terminal, then press the Enter key to launch the Terminal app.
2. Copy the following command, paste it into the Terminal app, and then press the Enter key.
3. Next, type in the 'killall Finder' command and press the Enter key to execute it. Otherwise, you can hold down the Option key, do a right-click on the Finder icon in the Dock, and then click the Relaunch option.
Both the 'killall' command and 'Relaunch' option will do one thing, to restart the Finder for the change to take effect. Once it's done, you will see hidden files and folders on your Mac.
To switch the files and folders back to hidden, repeat step number #2 and number #3, but change the 'YES' value in the command to 'NO'. The Terminal command should be:
Once it's done, the hidden files and folders on your Mac will become invisible again!
How To Show Hidden Files On Mac With AppleScript
What is AppleScript?
It's a scripting language that was created by Apple to automate repetitive or time-consuming macOS actions. It interacts primarily with apps and Finder to automate tasks for you. Whether it’s a simple task like copying files or as complicated as building a real estate catalog, AppleScript can perform the necessary actions quickly and intelligently.
To make hidden files visible using AppleScript, press the Command + Spacebar to launch the Spotlight search bar, type in: Script Editor, and then press the Enter key to start the Script Editor tool.
Next step, you need to copy and paste the following script into the tool.
Lastly, click the Run button to execute the script.
A new dialog will show up to give you two options: Show Files and Hide Files. Choose the appropriate option to show or hide hidden files on your Mac computer.
Also, you can save this script as an app to use later! Every time you want to show or hide hidden files and folders, simply click on this saved app and pick the appropriate option.
Final Words
Important files and folders in macOS are typically hidden for a very good reason, namely to protect the operating system and its apps from the user accidentally meddling in a potentially catastrophic way. It's better to leave these files and folders alone unless you absolutely feel the need to make them visible.
The quickest and easiest way to show hidden files on the Mac is to hit the Command + Shift + . keystroke, but there are still other options you might like to consider, such as using Terminal or AppleScript. Generally speaking, if you aren't sure about things you are going to do, we suggest keeping them invisible to avoid accidental removal. When you have to do any meddling, make backups beforehand, just in case any data is lost.
Let’s face it. Everyone has a secret, and so does your Mac. Thousands of them are in the form of hidden files and folders stored in the
~/Library
folder in your User folder. These files hold information like app preferences, etc.But how can we view hidden files on macOS X?
There’s hope, and in this article, we will talk about ways to see all hidden files on Mac and make the Library folder visible.
What are Hidden Files on Mac?
Hidden files on Mac are a throwback to macOS’ Unix roots. Generally, files starting with “.” are hidden. Due to this, Mac doesn’t allow placing a ‘.’ at the beginning of a file name.
These hidden files contain data like preferences, application support files, privileges folders, and more.
Why are the files hidden on Mac?
Due to several reasons, files and folders on Mac are hidden. They are listed as below:
- They contain crucial data important for working for macOS.
- If they are visible, your Mac might look cluttered.
- No reason for users to view them
How to View Hidden File on Mac?
Before you learn how to see hidden files on Mac, remember there are reasons for hiding files on Mac.
The information they contain is essential, and making any changes or deleting them can make Mac behave weirdly.
For example, if you want to view the
~/Library
folder & delete application support files for uninstalled applications, consider using Disk Clean Pro. This nifty Mac optimizer and cleaner will remove all unwanted application support files. Just click via One Click Care.To download Disk Clean Pro, click here.
This cleanup tool for Mac is available at Mac App Store and is thoroughly tested and trusted. Using it, you can clean junk files, system log files, cache files, partial download, organize files on Mac, and do a lot more.
To know more about this tool, read the complete review.
In addition to this, you can recover gigabytes of disk space and can get rid of not enough storage space.
However, if you are not satisfied with it and would like to view the hidden files Mac app. Here’s how you can see all files hidden on Mac.
Way 1: Mac Finder Showing Hidden Files
Follow the steps below to view hidden files in Finder on Mac:
- Open Finder window
- Now in the left bar, click the name of your Mac under ‘Devices.’
- Select and click the startup drive. By default, it reads as Macintosh HD.
- Next, press Command +Shift +.(period) key. You will now be able to see several files with “.”
- To hide them again, hold down Command + Shift +. (period).
Note: To unhide and see hidden files in the Documents or Applications folder, you can use the same key combination i.e., Command+Shift+.
However, if you know what file type you are looking for in the
~/Library
folder, follow the steps below:1. Open Finder, press the Alt key, and click Go.
2. Click Library to open, normally hidden, folder
You’ll now see the most cluttered Mac desktop. Most of the unhidden files are system files and autosaved Microsoft Word documents. This finder showing hidden files sometimes helps users find those files that they thought were lost forever.
Read Also: “Other” On Mac Storage And How To Remove It
Way 2: Unhide Files On Mac With Terminal Commands
Like the command prompt in Windows, we have a Terminal, command-line interface in Mac. Using it and a set of commands, you can easily show hidden files on Mojave and hide files. Unlike Finder, where you need to follow a series of complex instructions, using the Terminal command is easy.
If you know about Terminal and are conformable using it, here is the list of commands to show hidden files Mac app:
- Launch Terminal
- Here, copy-paste the following command
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true [Press Return] killall Finder
Note: The parameter True shows hidden files, whereas when you change it to false, it will again hide the files.
The method you chose doesn’t matter because both will help view all hidden files. If you select a finder to show hidden files, you will have to follow complex steps. While using the Terminal command is simple, and it quickly helps with OS X show hidden files.
Show Hidden Folder For Macbook
Moreover, using Terminal, you can show all hidden files or folders on your Mac. This is a great way to view password protected .rar on your desktop!
Read Also: Uninstaller for Mac to Remove Apps Completely
Way 3: View Hidden files using chflags hidden command on Mojave
However, if you want to see all hidden files on Mac follow the steps below:
1. Launch Terminal
2. Copy-paste the following command:
chflags hidden
Note: Make sure there’s a space between the command and the parameter
3. Drag files or folders into the Terminal that you want to hide from Finder. You will now see the file and folder paths in Terminal.
4. To hide, press Return.
By using these simple sets of instructions, you can hide files. To view hidden files, change the parameter from nohidden. You will now see all the hidden files on Mac.
While using this method, always remember anyone who knows this trick can also use the same command to unhide files.
This is all using these simple methods; you can show hidden files on Mac. Furthermore, if your motive to see hidden files is to remove junk files, we have an easy way.
Cleaning Hidden Junk Files Automatically
Generally, Mac users look for ways to view hidden files because they want to recover some additional gigabytes. But if they can clean up these useless hidden files without much ado then?
You read it right using an excellent tool like Disk Clean Pro; you can quickly recover hard disk space and clean up your Mac.
To use this fantastic tool, follow the steps below:
1. Download & install Disk Clean Pro
2. Launch the app and click Start System Scan
3. Let the scan finish. You’ll now see all the junk files.
4. Hit Clean Now to get rid of this unwanted data.
Tada! This is it. Using these simple steps and Terminal commands, you can view hidden files on Mac. Moreover, you can show hidden files on Mac to your friend and be popular.
Read Also:Delete Downloaded Files And Folders
Frequently Asked Question
Q1. How Do I Manage Files On A Mac?
Files on Mac can be managed both manually and automatically. To manage files manually, select items by pressing and holding the Command key. Next, press the Control key > choose New Folder with Selection. That’s it. You can now place the files in the selected folder.
Alternatively, you can use Disk Clean Pro to organize and manage files. In addition to this, to arrange files on the desktop. Click desktop, choose view > Sort By, then choose from the list of options. You can now arrange the files.
Q2. How Do You Make Hidden Files Unhidden On A Mac?
The easiest way to unhide a file on Mac is to use the Terminal command. To do so, launch Terminal and run the following command:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE killall Finder.
Macos View Hidden Files
This way, you can see hidden files in Finder.
Additionally, you can also type
chflags nohidden
with a space between command and nohidden. You can now unhide a file or a folder.Q3. Where Are Hidden Files On Mac?
Show Me All My Files
In the Finder, open your Macintosh HD folder. Press
Command+Shift+Dot
. You will now be able to see hidden files.