How to View Hidden Folders on Mac
In the world of computing, it’s not uncommon to encounter hidden folders on your Mac. These folders are typically used by the system to store important files and settings, and they are usually not visible to the user. However, there may be instances where you need to access these hidden folders for various reasons. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to view hidden folders on Mac.
Understanding Hidden Folders on Mac
Hidden folders on a Mac are not invisible in the traditional sense. They are simply not displayed in the Finder’s list of files and folders. This is done to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. By default, the Finder on Mac hides files and folders that start with a dot (.). These files and folders are considered hidden because they do not appear in the Finder’s interface unless you change the view settings.
Step-by-Step Guide to View Hidden Folders on Mac
To view hidden folders on your Mac, follow these simple steps:
1. Open the Terminal application on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications > Utilities folder.
2. In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
“`
3. Close the Terminal application.
4. Restart your Mac. This step is crucial to ensure that the changes take effect.
5. Once your Mac restarts, navigate to the directory where the hidden folder is located.
6. You should now see the hidden folder listed among the other files and folders.
Reverting to the Default Setting
If you wish to revert to the default setting and hide the hidden folders again, follow these steps:
1. Open the Terminal application on your Mac.
2. In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles NO
“`
3. Close the Terminal application.
4. Restart your Mac to apply the changes.
Conclusion
Viewing hidden folders on a Mac is a straightforward process that can be done by anyone. By using the Terminal and changing the Finder’s view settings, you can easily access the hidden folders on your Mac. Remember to revert to the default setting if you don’t want to see the hidden folders anymore.
