To prevent users from accidentally damaging the system, Apple has hidden important files and folders on the Mac. However, you can easily view these system files should you ever need them. We will show you how to do it.
But be careful: changing or damaging these hidden system files can have serious consequences for the entire operating system!
Method 1: Show Hidden Files on Mac with Keyboard Shortcut
The easiest way to show hidden files is to use the key combination [cmd] + [Shift] + [.]. Just go to a folder in the Finder and press the shortcut. The hidden files will appear. You can recognize them by the fact that they are a bit paler than the other files. To hide the hidden files again, simply press the key combination [cmd] + [Shift] + [.] again.
Method 2: Show Hidden Files on Mac via Terminal
To have all hidden files displayed in the entire Finder at the same time, you can also enter a command in Terminal. To do this, follow our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the quick guide.
Step 1: First, open the terminal. The quickest way to do this is to use the Spotlight search.
To do this, click on the small magnifying glass in the top right of the menu bar and enter "Terminal". Double-click on the corresponding result to open the terminal. ×
Step 2: now enter the command defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool TRUE and confirm with[Enter]. Afterwards you have to reload the Finder, this works with the command killall Finder, which you confirm again with[Enter]. ×
Step 3: The Finder will now show you the hidden files. You can recognize them by the fact that they are somewhat paler than the rest of the files. ×
Step 4: To hide the hidden files again, go back to the terminal and enter the commands defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool FALSE and killall Finder and confirm each again with[Enter]. ×
Quick guide: Show hidden files via terminal
- Open the terminal via the Spotlight search.
- Then enter the command defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool TRUE and confirm with [Enter].
- To restart the Finder, enter the command killall Finder killall Finder and confirm again with [Enter].
- The hidden files will appear in the Finder.
- To hide the files again, enter the commands defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool FALSE and killall Finder in the terminal.