macOS hides a large number of system files, configuration files, and caches from view in Finder. Most of the time, this is a good thing — you don’t want to accidentally delete something your system depends on. But there are plenty of legitimate reasons to reveal them: cleaning up app leftovers, editing configuration files, troubleshooting, or developer work.

Here are the three fastest ways to show hidden files on any Mac.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut in Finder (Fastest)

This is by far the quickest way — a single keyboard shortcut that works anywhere in Finder:

1. Open Finder (click the smiley face icon in your Dock)
2. Navigate to any folder — your home folder, Desktop, or wherever you want to look
3. Press Command + Shift + . (period)

Hidden files and folders instantly appear, shown with a slightly transparent/greyed-out icon so you can tell them apart from regular files. Press the same shortcut again to hide them.

Method 2: Use Terminal to Permanently Show Hidden Files

If you want hidden files always visible (useful for developers), use Terminal to change the Finder preference permanently:

Show All Hidden Files

The second command restarts Finder to apply the change immediately. Hidden files now appear across all Finder windows.

Hide Them Again

Method 3: Go to a Specific Hidden Folder Directly

Often you don’t need to see all hidden files — you just need to navigate to one specific hidden folder like the Library. The Go to Folder shortcut lets you jump straight there:

1. In Finder, press Command + Shift + G (or go to Go menu → Go to Folder)
2. Type the path of the hidden folder you want to open
3. Press Enter or click Go

Useful paths to know:

• ~/.Trash — your user Trash folder
• ~/Library — your user Library (app support, caches, preferences)
• ~/Library/Application Support/ — app data files
• ~/Library/Preferences/ — app preference files (.plist)
• ~/Library/Caches/ — temporary cached data (safe to clear)
• /Library — system-wide Library folder
• /private/var/folders/ — system temp files

What Are Hidden Files on a Mac?

Hidden files are files whose names start with a dot (.). macOS Finder hides any file or folder beginning with a period by default. Common hidden files you’ll encounter:

Why You Might Need to See Hidden Files

• Removing leftover app files — after uninstalling an app, its support files in ~/Library stay hidden
• Editing shell config — modifying .zshrc or .bash_profile for Terminal customizations
• Developer work — accessing .git folders, .env files, config files
• Troubleshooting — checking log files and caches for error diagnosis
• Clearing caches — manually deleting cached data in ~/Library/Caches to free up disk space

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the keyboard shortcut to show hidden files on Mac?

Command + Shift + . (period) — press it in any Finder window to toggle hidden files on or off. It’s the fastest method and works on all modern macOS versions.

Why can’t I see the Library folder on my Mac?

The Library folder is hidden by default. The fastest way to access it: in Finder, click the Go menu in the menu bar, then hold down the Option key — Library appears in the dropdown. Alternatively, use Command + Shift + G and type ~/Library.

Will showing hidden files slow down my Mac?

No — showing or hiding hidden files has no impact on Mac performance. It’s purely a display setting in Finder. The files are always there, whether visible or not.

How do I hide files again after I’m done?

Press Command + Shift + . (period) again in Finder. If you used the Terminal method, run: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles false followed by killall Finder.

Can I make a specific file hidden on my Mac?

Yes — in Terminal, use: chflags hidden /path/to/file. To unhide it: chflags nohidden /path/to/file. Alternatively, rename the file with a dot at the beginning (e.g., .myfile.txt) — Finder will hide it automatically.