Hidden files play an important part in macOS system operation. Generally speaking, hidden files contain such elements as configuration, system settings, application preferences, and any other meta components. All hidden files in a Unix-like operating system start with a dot (.), and Mac OS automatically hides them from being seen in file explorers such as Finder to prevent unintentional modification or deletion of critical system files that might cause problems with an application.
Here are some of the file types that are hidden:
- Dot files like .bash_profile, .zshrc, and .gitconfig that contain the user-specific configuration of various applications including shells, versioning, etc.
- System folders like /etc, /var, and /usr that contain the system-wide configuration and log files.
- Supporting files of the application in ~/Library.
Ways to Show Hidden Files on Mac — Manual Methods
There are two basic methods native to Mac, as well as an additional, special shortcut for one frequently needed hidden folder. The Finder shortcut can be used for an easy one-time viewing, while Terminal commands should be used if you want the change to last for all Finder windows until you undo it.
1. Quick Toggle to Show Hidden Files on Mac: Finder Shortcut Key
It’s the most instant way of toggling hidden file visibility within Finder.
Instructions:
- Launch Finder.
- Go to the folder in which you wish to view hidden files.
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift +. (dot).
- Now, in this step, the Hidden files are a little bit dimmer as compared to the original files within the Finder window.
- Next, use the same shortcut key combination to hide them.
Note: This is a per-folder, temporary toggle; its only work is to make the changes visible in the Finder view. However, it should not be considered a permanent setting. It can be the easiest and quickest option when you need to have an instant check.
2. Permanent View: Show Hidden Files via Terminal
This way makes a system-wide change to the settings, thus making sure that the hidden files are always visible in all Finder windows until you turn this option off again. This is a slightly more complicated approach, but it still takes less than a minute to complete.
Step 1: Find Spotlight (magnifying glass in the menu bar), type Terminal into its search field, and open the first search result. Otherwise, use Finder → Applications → Utilities → Terminal.
Step 2: Input or copy and paste this line:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true
Step 3: Input
killall Finder
Finder will start up again, and the hidden files will be visible in all windows.
To hide them, use the first two commands once again, only using false in the first line:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles false
killall Finder
(Note: Do not input $ if you notice it on some other guides, this character is just a part of command prompt.)
3. Open the ~/Library Folder
This particular folder called Library (~ / Library) is usually hidden in macOS and stores the application support files, caches, and preferences which are very helpful in case if you want to troubleshoot a particular application instead of looking through all hidden folders.
Procedure:
- Open Finder.
- Press Go in the menu bar.
- Press the Option key — the Library option will pop up in the drop-down menu.
- Click Library to access it.
No system changes are made as it is a temporary shortcut only to that particular folder and the next time using the Go menu, it becomes invisible again unless you hold the Option key.
4. Use Other Apps to See Hidden Files
There are some applications that will help you to find hidden files in several clicks.
Funter — This is a free Mac application to show hidden files on Mac, search for a particular file and hide them again. This application doesn’t have any other functions but finding hidden files.
Forklift — A paid file manager for file transfer, sync and previews with the ability to show hidden files.
Also read: How to Factory Reset MacBook Pro without Password
Why Are Files Hidden on Mac?
In general, these files are kept hidden so that users won’t mistakenly alter or delete them. There are several popular reasons why one needs to get to these hidden files:
Diagnosis — It’s common practice to investigate the problems with software by looking through the log files, as well as various configuration files, which are usually located in hidden folders.
Programming — Programmers need to work with hidden files in order to deal with configurations of the environment, dependencies and Git versioning.
Configuration — Experienced users modify hidden configuration files to customize macOS and its components.
Data recovery — Sometimes hidden files are necessary to recover lost information or transfer configurations from one machine to another.
macOS provides several ways of showing hidden files exactly because of this — everyone needs them at different levels of convenience.
How to Hide Files Again on Mac
To hide a file or folder by yourself for your own purpose if you wish to keep your desktop clean, do the following:
Step 1: Open the Terminal application.
Step 2: Type
chflags hidden
(with a trailing space) in the Terminal application window, and then drag-and-drop the file/folder that you wish to hide in the Terminal window.
Step 3: Press Enter.
And when you need to unhide that file, do the same but enter chflags nohidden in the Terminal window, and then press Enter.
Safety Precautions Related to Show Hidden Files
Hidden files, dotfiles, application support files, and configurations are usually small and exist due to the need for the macOS system or some applications to work properly. Do not remove and definitely do not relocate any hidden files related to the system or configuration unless you are 100% sure of the functionality of a particular file. Otherwise, you may harm an application or a whole system.
And if you are planning to clean your storage to release some space on a Mac or delete all personal data before reselling or recycling it, that’s a separate task — back up first, and don’t rely on deleting hidden files by hand to do it.
Key Takeaways
- 1st method is to press Command + Shift + .(period) in Finder to quickly and temporarily show hidden files on Mac in one directory.
- Apply the Terminal approach when you need to have all hidden files visible until you change it back again.
- Apply Go → Option in Finder to go directly to the ~/Library folder.
- Do not touch system and configuration dotfiles unless you know their functions because most of them are created for a certain purpose.
- Backup your important data before making changes to your file system.