How to Show Hidden Files and Folders on Mac?

Jamie Kaler Contribution

Rollins Duke Approved By

Published On October 23rd, 2026 • 6 min read

Summary: We can set the system to show the hidden files and folders by using one of the three simple methods. Users can avail the Finder keyboard shortcut, Terminal “ls -a” command or Teminal command that the settings to always display the hidden items. Most importantly, macOS keeps the system and configuration files out of users’ sight to prevent accidental changes or deletion. The instant method is to open the folder in the Finder and press Command + Shift + Period (.), which shows the hidden files and hides them again when pressed a second time. The guide here will explain why the files are hidden and walk you through the approaches to show the files.

It is frustrating when you can’t locate those specific files, which might be hidden on the system. macOS, like any operating system, hides files to protect system stability and prevent accidental modification or deletion. Don’t worry; in this guide, we will discuss the direct steps to show hidden files or folders on Mac for all users.

macOS hides a great number of files and folders. That’s because users are less likely to inadvertently cause damage to the operating system if files and folders can be hidden, since they are more difficult to access on a Mac. Despite this, there may be situations when you need to find hidden files for some reason.

You have several options for accessing files and folders that are currently hidden from view. However, use great caution: modifying or corrupting system files may have severe repercussions for the operating system on your computer.

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Why are Files & Folders Hidden on Mac?

It is sometimes beneficial to keep certain files and folders hidden inside an operating system. Files are invisible on computers by default, as set by manufacturers, administrators, and system administrators, so that users cannot unintentionally damage or permanently delete files such as system-related files.

In other situations, your company can choose to conceal files and folders that are necessary for the efficient transfer of data to and from clients and other business partners. Even though they carry out necessary functions, you are unlikely to be aware of these files in the vast majority of instances.

Important Note: If you still want to show hidden files and folders on Mac, you should use great caution not to harm the operating system.

How to Show Hidden Files on Mac?

Here, we will show you 3 methods to view hidden files on Mac. The first method is to access hidden folders in the Mac Terminal, and the second is to access hidden files and folders in the Finder. The complete guide and steps are below:

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut to Show Hidden Files on Mac OS

Mac users can access hidden files with a simple shortcut key. Follow these steps to access hidden files with the shortcut key:

Go to the Finder Application on Mac.
Now, open the folder that might contain invisible files.
Press Command+Shift+Dot (CMD+Shift+.).
Thus, it will preview all the files in the folder, along with hidden files.
Finally, repeat the step to hide all the files in any folder.

Method 2: Steps to View Hidden Files with Terminal

Firstly, from Spotlight, search for and open Terminal.
Choose the folder where you wish to show hidden files on Mac.
Now type the command: ls -a
As a result, the command ls -a(list all) will display all the files and folders, including the hidden ones. The files starting with a dot are hidden.

Find other related solutions: Learn how to block websites on Mac using Terminal

Method 3: Show Hidden Files on Mac with Finder

Once again, open the Terminal.
Now, type the command to update the AppleShowAllFiles value:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
Once the new settings are applied, exit and restart the Finder application for it to become active. Use the following command to terminate Finder.
killall Finder
Now start Finder on your Mac to show hidden files and folders.
Here, you will get all the hidden files and folders on the Finder.

Above, we explained every possible method to access hidden folders. So, users can select the required method as per their needs.

Also Read: How to Rename Files and Folders on Mac OS?

Conclusion

As mentioned in the above steps, use Terminal to set Finder to display hidden files if you so want. Moreover, when interacting with them, use extreme caution since the files that they represent are often mission-critical for your operating system.

I hope that the details provided here can assist you in showing hidden files on a Mac. Please get in touch with me if you have any queries or feedback in this regard. I hope that you will get in touch with me.

Once you have enabled the visibility of the hidden files on Mac, you will be able to navigate to the directory where various application data is stored. To learn more about the specific location of the Mail files, refer to Where is Mail Stored on Mac?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q) How do I view all the files with hidden files on macOS?

A) Use Terminal or Finder to access hidden files on a Macintosh. Also, try out the shortcut key in the Finder App.

Q) What is the shortcut to show hidden files on a Mac?

A) From the finder with shortcut key – Command+Shift+Period (CMD+Shift+.).

Q) Why are some files and folders hidden on macOS by default?

A) The macOS hidden files are usually system or configuration files. They are hidden to prevent any accidental modification or deletion that could affect system stability.

Q) Is it safe to delete any of the hidden files?

Q) The files are invisible to prevent any modification. Therefore, it is recommended not to modify or delete the hidden files unless you are certain about the purpose. These hidden files are crucial for the system’s operation.