how to show hidden files macos

How to Show Hidden Files in macOS: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Hey readers,

Are you frustrated because you can’t find important files on your Mac? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many macOS users face the same issue, especially with hidden files. Hidden files are those that are not visible in Finder by default. They often contain important system data and user preferences, so it’s essential to know how to access them when necessary. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to show hidden files in macOS using various methods. Let’s get started!

Accessing Hidden Files via Terminal

Using "ls -a" Command

1. Open Terminal (located in Applications > Utilities).
2. Type "ls -a" (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. You’ll now see all hidden files in the current directory.

Using "defaults write" Command

1. Type "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES" (without quotes) and press Enter.
2. Type "killall Finder" (without quotes) and press Enter to restart Finder.
3. Hidden files will now be visible in Finder.

Showing Hidden Files Using Finder

Using "Command + Shift + ." Shortcut

1. Open a Finder window.
2. Press "Command + Shift + ." (period) simultaneously.
3. Hidden files will become visible, indicated by a light gray color.

Using "Show View Options" Menu

1. Open a Finder window.
2. Click "View" in the menu bar and select "Show View Options."
3. Check the box for "Show hidden files."
4. Click "OK" to apply the change.

Finder Preferences for Hidden Files

Setting Finder Preferences

1. Open a Finder window.
2. Open "Finder Preferences" (located in the menu bar or "⌘ + ,").
3. In the "Advanced" tab, select "Show hidden files and folders."

Table: macOS Methods to Show Hidden Files

Method	Command
Terminal (ls -a)	ls -a
Terminal (defaults write)	defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
Finder Shortcut	⌘ + Shift + .
Finder View Options	Show hidden files
Finder Preferences	Show hidden files and folders

Conclusion

Now that you know how to show hidden files in macOS, you can easily access and manage important files that were previously invisible. Remember, hidden files often contain sensitive data, so it’s crucial to handle them with care.

If you found this guide helpful, check out our other articles for more tips and tricks to enhance your macOS experience. Thanks for reading!

FAQ about "How to Show Hidden Files in macOS"

How to show hidden files in Finder?

• Press Command + Shift + . (period) to toggle the visibility of hidden files.

How to make hidden files permanently visible in Finder?

• In Terminal, run the command: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
• Relaunch Finder to apply the changes.

How to show hidden folders in Finder?

• Hold down the Option key and click the "Go" menu in the Finder menu bar.
• Select "Library" from the dropdown menu.

How to use the Terminal to show hidden files?

• Open Terminal and run the following command: ls -la
• Use the -a flag to show all files, including hidden ones.

How to show hidden files on a specific drive?

• In Terminal, use the ls command with the -a flag and specify the drive’s mount point.
• For example: ls -la /Volumes/DRIVE_NAME

How to show hidden files in a specific folder?

• In Terminal, use the ls command with the -a flag and the folder’s path.
• For example: ls -la /Users/USER_NAME/Desktop/FOLDER_NAME

How to hide hidden files again?

• Press Command + Shift + . (period) again to toggle the visibility of hidden files.
• Or, in Terminal, run the command: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE

Why are some hidden files not visible?

• System files and certain application files may be protected by the system and cannot be made permanently visible.

How to show hidden files in Photos?

• In Photos, select "View" from the menu bar.
• Check the "Show Hidden Photos" option.

How to show hidden files in Time Machine?

• In Time Machine, select "View" from the menu bar.
• Check the "Show Hidden Files" option.