How to Show Hidden Files on Mac OS X and macOS

Finder hides certain Mac files and folders by default, including many configuration files whose names begin with a period. You might need to reveal them to follow an app’s troubleshooting instructions, open a settings file, or find your personal Library folder.

To show hidden files on a Mac running macOS Sierra (10.12) or later, open Finder and press Command + Shift + Period (⌘ + ⇧ + .). Hidden items appear with faded icons. Press the same keys again to hide them. If you have an older Mac OS X version, use the Terminal method below.

Show hidden files in Finder with a keyboard shortcut

1. Click the Finder icon in your Dock.
2. Open the folder you want to inspect, such as your Home folder or a project folder.
3. Press Command + Shift + . together. The final key is the period (full stop), not a comma.
4. Look for items with lighter, semi-transparent icons. These are normally hidden.
5. When you’re finished, press Command + Shift + . again to restore the usual view.

For example, a developer’s project folder may now reveal .gitignore, while your Home folder may contain .zshrc or a hidden .config directory. The exact items depend on the apps you use. Nothing is deleted or moved when you toggle visibility.

Version note: This Finder shortcut is available from macOS Sierra (10.12) onward. Macs still running OS X El Capitan (10.11), Yosemite or an earlier release need the Terminal approach instead.

Show hidden files on older Mac OS X or using Terminal

Terminal is useful if the Finder shortcut is unavailable or you want the hidden-file display preference enabled until you turn it off.

1. Open Applications > Utilities > Terminal. You can also find Terminal through Spotlight.
2. Paste this command and press Return:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true

Then restart Finder so the change takes effect:

killall Finder

Finder will close and reopen. Navigate back to your folder and check for the faded files and folders. This command changes the way Finder displays files; it does not change a file’s permissions or hidden attribute.

To hide the files again, run:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool false
killall Finder

You do not need sudo for these commands. If you prefer not to change Finder’s settings at all, on newer macOS versions simply use the keyboard shortcut instead.

Only need the hidden Library folder? Open it directly

You don’t need to display every hidden file just to access your personal Library folder. This folder stores application support files, preferences and other user-specific data.

1. Switch to Finder.
2. Open the Go menu at the top of the screen.
3. Hold Option (⌥) and choose Library when it appears.

Alternatively, press Command + Shift + G in Finder, enter ~/Library, and press Return. The tilde means your own user account’s Home folder, so it is different from the system-wide /Library directory.

To keep your personal Library folder visible in your Home folder, open the Home folder in Finder, choose View > Show View Options (Command + J), and enable Show Library Folder where available. Apple also documents Finder’s Go to Folder feature for opening a folder by path.

What if you need a hidden file in an Open or Save window?

You might be selecting a configuration file from an app rather than browsing in a normal Finder window. In many macOS Open and Save dialogs, Command + Shift + . also toggles hidden items. Click inside the dialog first, press the shortcut, and look for the file.

If the dialog does not support that shortcut, try navigating to the required folder using Command + Shift + G, then enter its path. The application must still have permission to access the file.

Hidden files still not showing? Check these details

The shortcut does nothing: Click an open Finder window before pressing it. Check that you used the period key, and remember that older OS X versions lack the shortcut.

You can see faded files but not the one you need: Double-check the folder path and filename. Showing hidden items does not make a nonexistent file appear or grant access to protected locations.

The file is inside an app: An application bundle is not an ordinary folder in Finder. If you are following instructions that specifically require it, Control-click the application and choose Show Package Contents. Avoid modifying bundle files without reliable instructions.

You want to see dotfiles in Terminal: Navigate to the intended directory and run ls -la. This lists entries including names beginning with a period, without changing Finder’s appearance. It does not bypass macOS permissions.

Is it safe to show hidden files on a Mac?

Yes. Viewing hidden files is generally safe; changing or deleting them is a separate matter. macOS and installed apps hide some items because they contain settings, application data, or system information. A faded icon is not an invitation to remove the file.

If you are trying to speed up a slow Mac, deleting unfamiliar hidden files is not a substitute for checking what is actually using your resources. My guide on how to clear RAM on a Mac safely shows how to identify memory pressure without deleting system files. For persistent startup-related software problems, you can also check how to start a Mac in Safe Mode.

The quickest approach is still Finder’s Command + Shift + Period shortcut. Use Terminal for older OS X releases or a longer-lasting display preference, and open ~/Library directly when that is the only folder you need.