How to show hidden files on a Mac

Apple has its reasons for hiding certain files from the average Mac user; After all, it is difficult to break something you can’t see. But sometimes you have to view these files – or access the hidden ~/library folder – to solve something that doesn’t work on your Mac.

Alternatively, you may be able to make space on your Mac and think it can be a good way to do something to delete some of these hidden files. In this case, we have a number of tips on how to free up space on a Mac as well as how to delete other storage on a Mac, how to delete system data on a Mac and how to delete cache on a Mac. Our advice is not to delete these hidden files unless you really know what you’re doing!

If you are not sure how to see how much disk space your Mac has, read: How to check how much disk space you have.

The files that you cannot see by default are typically prior with a full stop, for example .htaccess file, .bash_profile or .Svn- Library. Folders such as /USR, /bin and /etc. Is also hidden away. And the library folder that contains application -supporting files and some data is also stored out of sight.

How to see hidden files in Makos

A quick and easy way to find secret files in a folder is to open the finder and press Command + shift + . (Full stop/period), but there are other options you may like to consider as we explain below.

When you no longer want to see the hidden folders just press Command + shift +. again.

Where is the library folder?

Many of these hidden files are located in a library folder that is in itself hidden from the sight.

Just to confuse cases there is more than a library folder and not all of them are hidden. We explain below the differences and how to find each library folder, including ~/library on your Mac.

Aggravation of the confusion is the fact that Apple has made lots of changes in the finder in recent years, so some tutorials can refer to things that simply are no longer there. For example, the home folder has a home icon and probably no matter what name you have assigned your Mac. You will find it in the user folder. Neither is visible by default in MacOS Big Sur or later, but don’t worry, we explain where we can find them below.

Similarly, Macintosh HD is usually what you have named your Mac and again not by default is not visible. Don’t worry, we explain how to make these visible!

How to find ~/Library

The first library folder we will find is the hidden in your home folder. It is sometimes called ~/library.

The home folder is one of the folders that is less easy to find than it used to be, and it is actually called the home folder. It probably got your name attached to it, but it will have an icon that looks like it has a house in it.

There are several ways to access this home folder:

• Open the finder and press Command + shift + h.
• Click Alternatively Go In the menu and select Home.
• You can also add this home/user folder to Finder sidebar by opening Finder > Settings (or Preferences)> Sidebarand then cross the box next to your username in the FAFTERLY section.

Once you have arrived at the Home Folder you can press Command + shift + . To view the hidden files including the Hidden Library folder.

Another way to get to this hidden library (called ~/library) is to use Go Option in Finders Menu to jump to it. How to do it:

1. Open the finder.
2. Select Go from the menu bar.
3. Select Go to folder (or change + command + g).
4. Type ~/Library in the text box and click Go.

When using this method, the hidden folder becomes visible without having to press Command + shift +. (Full stop). But after you close the Finder -the window it will no longer be visible.

There is an even easier way to find your hidden ~/ library/ folder. Is just doing the following:

1. Open Finder.
2. Hold the option down and select Go from the drop -down menu at the top of the screen.
3. You will see ~/Library folder listed below the Home folder. Click it to go directly to the folder.

How to find Library in Macintosh HD

The other library folder is not hidden as such, but it is still difficult to locate thanks to changes that Apple has made to find over the years.

This library folder is located inside what is often called the Macintosh HD folder, but yours are likely to be named what you have called your Mac. If you do not see a Macintosh HD folder (or whatever you named your startup storage device) in the left column when you open the finder here is what to do:

1. Open the finder.
2. Click Finder > Settings/Preferences.
3. Click Sidebar The tab.
4. You will find your Mac listed under Location. Select/Select the check box next to it.

Now you will see your disk on the location section of Finder (or the device section of older Macoss). This folder includes applications, library, system and users, but also includes a lot of hidden folders and files.

Press Command + shift +. to reveal them.

How to find the System Library

The third library folder is located in the system (one of these folders in the Macintosh HD folder we just mentioned). It contains all the files that macOS needs to run.

Find the difference: Compare these three Library Folders:

How to keep the hidden ~/library folder visible

If you use the GO method to find it ~/library, the folder will remain visible until you close the Finder window. Next time you see it has disappeared again.

If you want the folders to remain visible, press CMD + Shift +. To reveal the hidden folders. When you no longer want to see them click command + shift +. again.

Another way to keep the hidden ~/Library folder visible is to pull the hidden library icon from Finder -the window to Finder -side beam. This will make it available even after closing finds.

How to see hidden folders using Terminal

Another way to make hidden files and folders visible requires you to use terminal.

1. Open terminal
2. Run the following script:
   $ defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true
$ killall Finder

If you want to switch it back, simply change the right one to FALSE.

Best apps to make space on a mac

If your reason for locating these hidden files was to try to remove some of the room’s pigs from your system, we recommend using an app like CleanMyMAC X. That’s what we used when we needed to regain some space when we installed MacOS Big Sur back in 2020.

Cleanmymac is £ 29.95/$ 29.95 (usually £ 34.95/$ 34.95) if you buy the plan for a Mac. There is also a free trial. Download from Developer Macpaw here.

We have a tour of the best Mac cleaning products, where we look at the following alternatives to Cleanmymac: Daisydian, MacBooster, Parallel Toolbox and Maccleaner Pro. Read our review of Parallels Toolbox.