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How to Show Hidden Files on Mac With or Without Terminal
You can show hidden files on Mac with a simple keyboard shortcut. You do not need Terminal, an administrator password, or advanced technical knowledge for the most common method.
macOS hides some files because they contain settings, app information, or system resources that people do not normally need to open. These items remain on the Mac, but Finder does not display them during regular use.
You may need to see them when following troubleshooting instructions, opening the hidden Library folder, managing website files, checking app settings, or finding data left behind by an uninstalled application. Once the files are visible, you should avoid deleting anything unless you understand its purpose.
Show Hidden Files Without Terminal
Finder has a built-in shortcut that reveals hidden files and folders instantly. It is the fastest method when you only need temporary access.
To show hidden files in the current Finder folder:
Finder > Open Any Folder > Command + Shift + Period (.)
The period is the regular full-stop key on the keyboard. You must press Command, Shift, and Period at the same time.
The folder will update immediately. Hidden items normally appear lighter or more transparent than regular files. This visual difference helps you recognize files that macOS does not usually display.
The shortcut works in most Finder locations, including the user’s Home folder and some folders on external drives. It can also work inside the Open and Save windows presented by Mac applications.
If you do not see any changes, try the shortcut inside your Home folder. The available hidden items depend on the apps and services used on the Mac.
To open your Home folder:
Finder > Go > Home
After the Home folder opens, use the hidden-file shortcut again. You may see items with names that begin with a period, including configuration folders created by applications.
Files beginning with a period are commonly called dot files. macOS and Unix-based applications use them to store settings and other information without filling normal folders with technical data.
The Finder shortcut acts as a visibility switch. Using it a second time conceals the files again.
To hide the files after you finish:
Finder > Open Any Folder > Command + Shift + Period (.)
Hiding the files does not delete them. Finder simply returns to its normal view.
Open the Hidden Library Folder
The user Library is one of the most frequently accessed hidden folders on a Mac. It stores app preferences, browser information, caches, containers, saved states, Mail resources, and other data connected to the signed-in account.
You can open the Library directly without making every hidden file visible.
To open your personal Library folder:
Finder > Go > Press and Hold Option > Library
The Library option appears in the Go menu while you hold the Option key. Select Library before releasing the key.
This method opens the Library belonging to the current user. Its path is ~/Library, where the tilde represents the user’s Home folder.
The user Library is different from the Library folder located at the top level of the startup disk. The top-level folder contains resources that can be shared by different accounts, while ~/Library primarily contains information for the current account.
Deleting content from the Library can reset an app or remove locally stored information. If troubleshooting instructions tell you to remove a file, confirm its name and location before making any changes.
Open a Specific Hidden Folder
Finder includes a Go to Folder feature for opening locations that are difficult to find manually. It is useful when you know the folder’s exact path and do not want to reveal every hidden item.
To open the Go to Folder field:
Finder > Go > Go to Folder
You can also reach the same field with a keyboard shortcut.
To open Go to Folder from the keyboard:
Finder > Shift + Command + G
A small field will appear. Type or paste the path of the location you want to open, then press Return.
To open your personal Library:
Go to Folder > Enter ~/Library > Press Return
To open the hidden SSH folder in your Home folder:
Go to Folder > Enter ~/.ssh > Press Return
The .ssh folder stores information used by Secure Shell tools. It may not exist if SSH software has never created it on the Mac. Finder displaying an error for this path does not necessarily indicate a problem.
To open the Library shared by all users:
Go to Folder > Enter /Library > Press Return
Pay attention to the beginning of each path. ~/Library opens the Library inside the current user’s Home folder. /Library opens the shared Library at the top level of the startup disk.
You can also paste a longer path supplied by an app developer or support technician. Check the spelling carefully because similarly named folders may contain completely different data.
Show Hidden Files With Terminal
Terminal can change Finder’s hidden-file preference so concealed items remain visible until you change the setting again. This option is helpful during longer troubleshooting or development sessions.
Terminal is included with macOS and can be opened from the Utilities folder.
To open Terminal:
Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal
A Terminal window will appear with a text prompt. Enter the command exactly as presented and press Return.
To keep hidden files visible in Finder:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true && killall Finder
Finder will close briefly and reopen. This restart allows the new visibility preference to take effect.
The command does not change the files themselves. It tells Finder to display items that macOS normally conceals.
You can reverse the change at any time.
To hide the files in Finder again:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool false && killall Finder
Finder will restart once more and return to its regular view.
If Finder does not behave as expected after changing the preference, you can remove the custom value. macOS will then use its default behavior.
To remove the custom hidden-file preference:
defaults delete com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles && killall Finder
Terminal may say that the preference does not exist if no custom value is stored. That message simply means there is no setting to remove.
See Hidden Files Only in Terminal
Terminal can list hidden files without making them appear in Finder. This can be helpful when checking whether a file exists while leaving Finder unchanged.
The ls command displays the contents of a folder. Adding -a includes hidden items, while -l displays details such as permissions, ownership, file size, and modification date.
To list visible and hidden items in your Home folder:
ls -la ~
The results appear inside Terminal. Names beginning with a period are hidden during normal Finder use.
To list the contents of the folder currently open in Terminal:
ls -la
These commands only display information. They do not delete or modify the files shown in the results.
Work Safely With Hidden Mac Files
A hidden file is not automatically unnecessary, suspicious, or safe to delete. macOS and installed applications conceal many items to protect settings and reduce clutter.
The .DS_Store file, for example, can store Finder display information for a folder. External drives may include folders such as .Trashes and .Spotlight-V100, which macOS uses for Trash and Spotlight features.
Removing the wrong item can reset an application, delete local information, interrupt syncing, or cause macOS to rebuild a database. Copy an item to a safe location before changing it when troubleshooting instructions require manual file work.
Some system folders remain protected even when Finder displays them. Showing hidden files does not bypass administrator permissions or System Integrity Protection. There is no need to disable Mac security features simply to view a hidden folder.
Applications can also contain internal resources. These files are stored inside an app bundle and are different from standard hidden files.
To view the internal contents of an application:
Finder > Applications > Control-click the App > Show Package Contents
Changing files inside an app bundle can prevent the application from opening. If you need one of its resources, copy that file elsewhere instead of editing the original.
When you finish working, return Finder to its regular view to reduce the chance of accidentally moving or deleting a configuration file.
To hide all revealed files with the Finder shortcut:
Finder > Open Any Folder > Command + Shift + Period (.)
The post How to Show Hidden Files on Mac With or Without Terminal appeared first on AppleMagazine.
