If you are a Mac user, you may have
wondered how to access the hidden files and folders that are not visible by
default in Finder. These files and folders are usually hidden for a reason,
such as to prevent accidental deletion or modification, or to store system or
application settings. However, sometimes you may need to access them for
troubleshooting, customization, or other purposes.
In this blog post, we will show you how to
show hidden files on Mac in 2023 and beyond, using different methods and tools.
We will also explain why some files are hidden, and how to hide them again if
you want to. We will also provide some tips and best practices for managing
hidden files on Mac.
Why Are Some Files Hidden on Mac?
There are two types of hidden files on Mac:
dotfiles and system files.
Dotfiles are files that start with a dot
(.) in their name, such as .bash_profile or .gitignore. These files are usually
used to store configuration settings or preferences for various applications or
programs. They are hidden by default because they are not meant to be accessed
or modified by regular users, and changing them may cause errors or unexpected
behavior.
System files are files that belong to the
operating system or the core applications, such as /Library or /System. These
files are hidden by default because they are essential for the proper
functioning of your Mac, and deleting or altering them may damage your system
or make it unstable.
Both types of hidden files are hidden by
default because they are not relevant for most users, and they help to keep the
Finder clean and organized. However, there may be situations where you need to
access them, such as:
- To troubleshoot an issue with an
application or the system
- To customize your Mac with advanced
settings or features
- To recover deleted or lost files
- To perform a backup or restore operation
- To access data that is not available
through the regular interface
How to Show Hidden Files on Mac Using
Keyboard Shortcuts
One of the easiest and fastest ways to show
hidden files on Mac is using keyboard shortcuts. There are two keyboard
shortcuts that you can use:
Command + Shift + Period (.): This keyboard
shortcut will toggle the visibility of hidden files and folders in Finder. You
can use it to quickly show or hide hidden files in any Finder window.
Command + Shift + Dot (.): This keyboard
shortcut will toggle the visibility of hidden files and folders in Open and
Save dialogs. You can use it to quickly show or hide hidden files when you want
to open or save a file.
To use these keyboard shortcuts, simply
press and hold the Command, Shift, and Period (or Dot) keys together. You will
see the hidden files and folders appear or disappear in the Finder or Open/Save
dialogs. You can repeat the same keyboard shortcut to reverse the effect.
These keyboard shortcuts are very
convenient and easy to use, but they have some limitations:
They only work in Finder or Open/Save
dialogs. They do not work in other applications or programs that use their file
browsers.
They do not persist across sessions. If you
restart your Mac or log out and log back in, the hidden files will be hidden
again by default.
They do not affect the visibility of hidden
files on external drives or network locations. You will need to use other
methods to show hidden files in those locations.
How to Show Hidden Files on Mac Using
Terminal Commands
Another way to show hidden files on Mac is by
using Terminal commands. Terminal is a powerful tool that allows you to
interact with your Mac using text commands. You can use Terminal to perform
various tasks that are not possible or easy through the graphical interface.
To use Terminal commands to show hidden
files on Mac, you will need to:
- Launch Terminal from Applications >
Utilities, or use Spotlight (Command + Space) to search for it.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
- defaults write com.. apple.finder
AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
- This command will change a preference
setting that controls the visibility of hidden files in Finder.
- To apply the change, you will need to
restart Finder by typing the following command and pressing Enter:
- killall Finder
- This command will quit and relaunch Finder.
To verify that the command worked, open any
Finder window and you should see the hidden files and folders.
To hide the hidden files again, you will
need to repeat the same steps, but change the command to:
defaults write com. apple.finder
AppleShowAllFiles FALSE
This command will restore the default
preference setting that hides the hidden files in Finder.
Using Terminal commands to show hidden
files on Mac has some advantages and disadvantages:
- It works for all Finder windows, including
external drives and network locations.
- It persists across sessions. The hidden
files will remain visible until you change the preference setting again.
It requires some technical knowledge and
caution. You should be careful when using Terminal commands, as they can have
unintended consequences if you make a mistake or use the wrong command.
How to Show Hidden Files on Mac Using
Third-Party Apps
The third way to show hidden files on Mac
is using third-party apps. Many apps can help you show hidden files on Mac,
such as:
Funter: Funter is a free app that allows
you to show and hide hidden files on a Mac with a simple click. You can also
use it to search for hidden files or hide specific files or folders. You can
download Funter from here.
Show Hidden Files: Show Hidden Files is a
paid app that adds a menu bar icon that lets you toggle the visibility of
hidden files on Mac. You can also use it to reveal hidden files in Open/Save
dialogs, or hide specific files or folders. You can download Show Hidden Files
from here.
HiddenMe: HiddenMe is a free app that adds
a menu bar icon that lets you hide and unhide all the desktop icons on Mac. You
can also use it to hide specific files or folders or set a keyboard shortcut to
toggle the desktop icons. You can download HiddenMe from here.
Using third-party apps to show hidden files
on Mac has some benefits and drawbacks:
They are easy and convenient to use. You do
not need to remember any keyboard shortcuts or commands, or restart Finder.
They offer more features and options than
the built-in methods. You can customize how you want to show or hide hidden
files or apply different settings for different locations or situations.
They may not be compatible with the latest
versions of macOS or Finder. You may need to update them regularly or check
their compatibility before using them.
Tips and Best Practices for Managing Hidden
Files on Mac
Now that you know how to show hidden files
on Mac, here are some tips and best practices for managing them:
Be careful when accessing or modifying
hidden files. Some of them may contain important data or settings that affect
your system or applications. If you are not sure what a file does, do not
delete or change it without backup or research.
Use aliases or shortcuts to access
frequently used hidden files. If you need to access a hidden file often, you
can create an alias or shortcut for it and place it in a convenient location,
such as your desktop or dock. To create an alias, right-click on the file and
choose Make Alias. To create a shortcut, drag the file to the desired location
while holding the Option and Command keys.
Use Spotlight to search for hidden files.
If you want to find a specific hidden file, you can use Spotlight (Command +
Space) to search for it by name or keyword. You will need to enable the
visibility of hidden files in Spotlight preferences first. To do that, go to System
Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy, and drag the folder that contains the
hidden file (such as your home folder) to the list. Then remove it from the
list by clicking the minus (-) button. This will make Spotlight index the
hidden files in that folder.
Use tags or labels to organize hidden
files. If you want to group or categorize your hidden files, you can use tags
or labels to mark them with different colors or names. To add a tag or label,
right-click on the file and choose Tags… from the menu. Then select an existing
tag or enter a new one.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have shown you how to
show hidden files on Mac in 2023 and beyond, using different methods and tools.
We have also explained why some files are hidden, and how to hide them again if
you want to. We have also provided some tips and best practices for managing
hidden files on Mac.
We hope this post has been helpful and
informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a
comment below.
Thank you for reading!
Sources
Why Are Some Files Hidden on Mac?
Apple Support: How to show hidden
files on your Mac: https://www.avast.com/c-mac-show-hidden-files
MacRumors: Why are some files and
folders hidden on macOS?: https://www.howtogeek.com/211496/how-to-hide-files-and-view-hidden-files-on-mac-os-x/
How to Show Hidden Files on Mac Using
Keyboard Shortcuts
Apple Support: How to show hidden
files on your Mac: https://www.avast.com/c-mac-show-hidden-files
Macworld: How to show hidden files on
your Mac: https://www.avast.com/c-mac-show-hidden-files
How to Show Hidden Files on Mac Using
Terminal Commands
Apple Support: How to show hidden
files on your Mac: https://www.avast.com/c-mac-show-hidden-files
Macworld: How to show hidden files on
your Mac: https://www.avast.com/c-mac-show-hidden-files
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