How to show hidden files in Mac OS X Finder

Finder is default file manager in the Apple Mac OS X. It lets you organize and access practically everything on your Mac, including applications, files, folders, discs, and shared drives on your network. You can also see rich, high-quality previews of the contents of your files.

How to show hidden files in Finder

There is no option to show hidden files in Finder's preferences menu. To show hidden files in Finder you have to use an application called Terminal. The Terminal application allows you to access the complete UNIX environment using standard commands, tools, and scripting languages.

  1. Open the Terminal application located in the Applications/Utilities/ folderApple Terminal location
  2. Type in defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true commandApple Terminal show hidden files command
  3. Type in killall Finder commandApple Terminal killall command
  4. Close the Terminal and open the Finder. It will now show everything, including hidden files and folders.Apple Finder show hidden files

How to hide hidden files in Finder

  1. If you do not want to show hidden files again, open the Terminal application.Apple Terminal location
  2. Type in defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool false commandApple Terminal hide hidden files command
  3. Type killall Finder commandApple Terminal killall command
  4. Close the Terminal and open the Finder. It wont now show hidden files and folders.Apple Finder hide hidden files

Related software and links:

Apple Finder icon

Apple Finder    Apple macOS / Mac OS X platform
The default file manager in macOS

 
Mac OS X icon

Mac OS X    Apple macOS / Mac OS X platform
Unix-based operating system for Apple Mac computers

 

Add new comment about “How to show hidden files in Mac

Go to:
Article related software
Add comments...

Enter any file extension without dot (e.g. pdf)
Search for file extension details and associated application(s)

RSS feed