If you want to see hidden files and folders on Mac computer, you can check the 3 ways below to easily show hidden files and folders on macOS incl. Mojave/Catalina/High Sierra. To recover deleted/lost/hidden files on Mac or other storage devices, you can try the professional Mac data recovery software from MiniTool software. This app looks and functions similarly to Mac’s Finder, so it might be easier for you to manage and reveal the files and folders. To view the hidden files, select “View,” then “Viewing.
- And it still works for me on Catalina 10.15.1. Even reveals files with chflags hidden applied to them. However, removing the hidden attribute (chflags nohidden file.txt) in the Terminal does not dynamically unhide the file in an open Finder window. The Finder window must be closed and reopened to show the newly unhidden file.
- We’ve discussed accessing hidden files and folders in Mac OS X before, but many users don’t know that they can also create their own hidden items. While not secure against an experienced set of prying eyes, using hidden files and folders is a quick and easy way to keep sensitive items out of view on your Mac.
The Library Menu item is hidden by default on Macs, to prevent the possibility of inexperienced users deleting important files in the Library Folder. In this article, you will find different methods to reveal the hidden Library Menu and access the Library Folder on your Mac.
Access Library Folder On Mac
The Library Folder on your Mac contains Preference Files, Caches, and Application Support Data.
While regular Mac users may not find the need to access the Hidden Library Folder, advanced Mac users will at times come across the need to access files inside the Library Folder for troubleshooting and other purposes.
One example of the need to access the Library Folder on Mac would be to rebuild the Database Files in the Library Folder, in order to fix Launchpad related issues like Apps Missing From Launchpad or deleted Apps showing up in the Launchpad.
Before going ahead with the steps to Access the Hidden Library Folder on your Mac, you need to be aware that ~/Library Folder contains important Data and Files related to Mac User Accounts.
Hence, make sure that you are accessing the Library Folder for a good reason and you do know as to what you are trying to achieve.
Access Hidden Library Menu Option On Mac
Follow the steps below to access the Hidden Library Menu option on your Mac.
1. Left-click your mouse anywhere on the screen of your Mac. This will reveal the Go Option in the top menu bar of your Mac. You can also click on the Finder Icon in the Dock of your Mac to activate the Go Option.
2. Next, click on the Go option in the top menu-bar of your Mac.
3. While you are still on the Go option, press and hold the Option key on your Mac and then click on the Library option that appears when you press down the Option Key.
Note: Press the Alt Key in case you are using a Windows keyboard with your Mac.
4. Clicking on the Library Menu option will take you straight to the Library Folder on your Mac.
Access Library Folder On Mac Using “Go to Folder” Option
Another way to access the Library Folder on your Mac is by using the Folder Option on your Mac.
1. Left-click your mouse anywhere on the screen of your Mac to reveal the Go Option in the top menu bar. You can also click on the Finder Icon in the Dock of your Mac to activate the Go option.
2. Next, click on the Go option from the top menu-bar on your Mac and then click on Go to Folder… option in the drop-down menu (See image below).
3. In the search window that appears, type ~/Library, and click on the Go button.
This will immediately take you to the Library Folder on your Mac. Best free translation app for mac.
Permanently Unhide the Library Menu Option On Mac
You can permanently unhide the Library Menu Option in the top-menu bar on your Mac by using the Terminal Command. The process is reversible and you can easily go back to the default hidden Library Menu Setting by using the Terminal command once again.
1. Click on the Finder icon in the dock of your Mac to activate the Go option in the top Menu bar of your Mac.
2. Next, click on the Go option in the top menu-bar and then click on the Utilities option in the drop-down menu.
3. On the Utilities window, open the Terminal App by clicking on it.
4. Next, type chflags nohidden ~/Library/ and Press the Enter key to submit your command for execution.
Once the command is executed, you will see the Library Option clearly visible and permanently unhidden in the top menu-bar of your Mac.
As mentioned above, you can always go back to the default hidden Library option on your Mac by executing a simple command in the Command Prompt Window.
1. To hide the Library option, type chflags hidden ~/Library/ in the Command prompt window (See image below)
2. After typing the Command, hit the Enter key on the Keyboard of your Mac to execute this Command.
Once the Command is executed, you will see the Library Menu option becoming hidden.
Create Hidden Folder Mac
What looks like a simple system from outside can be the most complicated one from inside. This has happened with Apple’s Mac; for any user, it can be a simple computer to operate externally. But internally, there can be a coil of files and folders that can bewilder even a seasoned Mac user.
If you think that Apple should simplify everything (like this coil), I would say that let there be confusion or complexity. Because Apple wants you to stay away from this so that you can smoothly operate the Mac.
Apple keeps some files as hidden in its Mac OS X so that nobody can tamper with those important data stored in the hidden files. As a matter of fact, this “secret treasure” should not be located by any intruder (read new user.)
As a Mac owner, if you want to show those hidden files in Mac OS X, here is a method.
Mac Terminal is one of the most popular apps used and eulogized by experts. This app allows you to control Mac OS X by using the command line to enter Unix commands. In a way, Terminal works as car bonnet, which you can open and check entire engine. The app helps you open Mac OS X and take a look what is happening there. Here is how to use Mac Terminal.
How to Show Hidden Files in Mac OS X Finder
Epson scan software mac download. Step #1. Launch finder → Click on Go.
Step #2. Now click on Utilities.
Step #3. Click on the Terminal app.
Or
You can search for terminal from spotlight search.
Step #4. Copy and paste below mentioned command lines into Terminal one after another; press Return after pasting each line.
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
killall Finder
Mac app edit audio.You can see your Terminal window as shown below:
Post this, a Finder window on desktop may be vanished and then reappear. When the Finder reappears, you can see hidden folders.
Your Home folder would look like this (see below) in the Finder window.
Hide Hidden Folders Mac
With first line, setting inside AppleShowAllFiles preferences will be changed; set it to YES. Killall, though it sounds terrifying, will quit and relaunch Finder.
To restart Finder, you can select Option + Control and click the Finder icon in Dock; now select Relaunch.
How to Hide Files in Mac Using Terminal
Now, if you want to send these Hidden files back to their native place, here is a simple solution. All you need to do is to repeat the above command by adding just one word: NO at the end. Remember, you must match the case.
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles NO
killall Finder
Library Folder Hidden On Mac
Hidden files of Mac OS X Finder should be disappeared post this command.
If you require accessing hidden files frequently, you can use a few shareware apps that will program the entire procedure.
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
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