How to Show Hidden Files and Folders on a Mac

macOS usually hides certain files (like system files, caches, and app support data) to keep things tidy and smooth. But sometimes, files can be hidden for other reasons—glitches, accidental changes, or just user settings. We’ve helped plenty of users deal with this exact problem. When you need to see hidden files on your Mac, there are three reliable methods to unhide them quickly. Let’s break them down.

Method 1: Show Hidden Files in macOS Finder

The easiest way to reveal hidden files on your Mac is through Finder. This method is simple, quick, and works for most situations. Here’s how to view hidden files on Mac Finder:

  1. Open Finder from your Dock.
  2. Go to any folder where you think hidden files might be, like Macintosh HD or Documents.
  3. Press Command + Shift + . (period) on your keyboard. This immediately shows hidden files and folders, which appear slightly grayed out compared to regular files.
  4. If you want to hide them again, press the same combination once more.Hidden files and folders will appear slightly grayed out
⚠️ Be careful with system files. A lot of hidden files are critical to macOS running properly. If you’re not sure what a file does, it’s best to leave it alone to avoid any problems with your system.

Method 2: Show Invisible Files on Mac with Terminal

When Finder doesn’t do the trick, Terminal gives you another option to unhide files on your Mac. While it’s a bit more technical, we’ve found this method to be a lifesaver with stubborn files that won’t show up otherwise.

  1. Open Terminal. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, then type “Terminal” and hit Enter.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles trueType this command
  3. Then restart Finder:
    killall FinderThis will force Finder to restart
    This will force Finder to restart and show hidden files or folders on your Mac throughout the system.
  4. To hide the files again, use the same command but change true to false:
    defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles false
  5. Once again, restart Finder:
    killall Finder

Still Nothing? Use Data Recovery Software to Find Hidden Files

If you’ve tried Finder and Terminal and still can’t locate those hidden files, third-party recovery software might be your next best option. Tools like Disk Drill are designed to retrieve data that may be lost or deleted—data that can’t be accessed through usual methods like Finder or other file managers. We’ve recommended this option many times for users who need a more thorough scan of their system.

✅ Why Disk Drill is a great tool for this situation?

  • Finds hidden, lost, or deleted files that Finder and Terminal can’t detect.
  • Can scan all kinds of devices. Works not only on your Mac’s internal drive but also on external devices like USB drives, SD cards, external hard drives, and even iPhones.
  • Recovers a wide range of file types.
  • Lets you preview files before recovery.
  • Easy-to-use.

Here’s how you can use Disk Drill to reveal hidden files:

  1. Go to the official Disk Drill website and download the software. Follow the installation steps.
  2. Open Disk Drill and select the Storage devices tab from the sidebar.Select the drive you want to scan
  3. Select the drive you want to scan (typically your main Mac drive, but can be any other storage device).
  4. Click Search for lost data. The scan will begin, and you can click Review found items even while the scan is in progress. A list of found files will appear, and it will continue to grow as the scan continues.Disk Drill scanning the drive
  5. The files will be grouped under different categories like Existing files (files that currently exist on your system but might be hidden), Deleted or lost (files that have been deleted from your system but are still recoverable), and Reconstructed (files that have been partially recovered from fragments found). You can filter the results by file types—such as Pictures, Videos, Audio, or Documents—to make it easier to find what you need.
  6. To make sure you see everything, check that Show system & hidden files is enabled. This will display all hidden files within Disk Drill’s interface. Click the Show button and select Show system & hidden files.Select Show system & hidden files
  7. You can check both files and entire folders for recovery. A preview window will appear for each file, which is super helpful to be sure you’ve found the right files.You can check both files and entire folders for recovery
  8. Click Recover to save these files. Note that the basic version of Disk Drill for Mac lets you scan and preview files, but to actually recover them, you’ll need to upgrade to the PRO version. At least with the free version, you can be sure your files are still there.
⚠️ If files were deleted and not just hidden, it’s important not to wait too long. The longer you delay recovery, the higher the chance the files could get overwritten.

Disk Drill is one of the best tools for this kind of task, and we’ve recovered tons of files with it. Its file type support is impressive (everything from popular formats like JPEG, MP4, PDF to more obscure ones like RAW, FLAC, and MAT.) It also works flawlessly on macOS, even with the newest macOS Sequoia. If you want to compare it with other tools, check out our list of the best data recovery software for Mac.

To Sum Up

As you can see, there’s nothing complicated about hidden files on your Mac. Whether you go with Finder, Terminal, or Disk Drill, each method fits different situations.

Use Finder for quick access, Terminal when Finder doesn’t work, or Disk Drill for a deep scan and file recovery. Just remember, hidden files are often important for system operations, so be cautious.

By the way, if you’re sure certain files shouldn’t have been hidden, it might be a good idea to check your Mac or storage device for viruses. Malware has been known to hide files, manipulate directories, or cause data to disappear unexpectedly.

FAQ

Yes, it’s safe to unhide files on your Mac, but you need to be careful. Most hidden files are system-related—things like settings, caches, and configuration files that macOS hides to keep you from accidentally messing with them. These files are important for your Mac’s smooth operation, so don’t change or delete them unless you know exactly what you’re doing.
To show hidden folders on Mac, you use the same key combination as with hidden files. Simply press Command + Shift + . (period) in Finder, and hidden folders will appear just like hidden files. There is no difference.
To permanently show hidden files on your MacBook, you can use Terminal to adjust your settings:

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Enter this command: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true
  3. Press Enter.
  4. Then restart Finder with this command: killall Finder
  5. Press Enter.
Jeff Cochin
Jeff Cochin is a distinguished expert in data management, recovery, and warehousing, with over a decade of hands-on experience. His expertise extends to data clouds, failovers, SaaS, and constructing digital marketing strategies for high-growth startups. Notably, he holds comprehensive knowledge of Mac computers, Apple's ecosystem, and iPhone technology, making him a trusted authority in these domains. With nearly five years as a dedicated technical writer, Jeff has become a seasoned researcher and reviewer of new applications and services, particularly those within the Apple and Mac universe. His articles and tutorials, often covering nuances of Mac and iPhone use, have graced the pages of many publications, including Macgasm, OnMac, Applenapps, LAWeekly, and more. They have collectively reached a global audience of millions. Jeff spends a substantial portion of his professional life interfacing with AWS, Docker, Medium.com, freeCodeCamp, and SQL-related technologies, integrating these tools with his profound understanding of Mac systems and software. When he's not immersed in writing, troubleshooting, or scripting for Mac and iPhone environments, or staring at computer screens, Jeff embraces the thrill of outdoor adventures. An enthusiast of biking, kayaking, and hiking, he often seeks new trails to explore alongside his like-minded, outdoors-loving friends.
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