Want to remove hidden attribute to Un hide files or folders on Mac. Here we will show you the methods to show hidden files on Mac.
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How to show hidden files on Mac
Below are some of the methods that will help you to view hidden files on a Mac machine, clearly explained with steps.
Method-1: How to view hidden files on a Mac using Finder
This is a very easy method and it will take just one or two minutes of your time.
- Click on the Finder in your bottom Toolbar.
- You can also open the Finder by using a command like ‘Command + Spacebar’ keys. Now enter the Finder in the space and it will be opened.
- On the left side toolbar, select the name of your Mac which will be under the “Locations” menu.
- Double click on the “Macintosh HD” icon.
- Now you have to press the combination of keyboard keys as “Command + Shift + Period Keys” to display the hidden files or folders.
- Those which are hidden will appear as greyed out on the screen.
- Repeat the keyboard shortcut to hide the files again back.
- And also you can repeat the command in some other areas, like your applications folder or documents folder, etc.
- Command + Shift + Period is the Keyboard Shortcut for Toggling Hidden Files in Mac OS.
- Just remember that pressing down Command + Shift + Period in the file system of Mac OS will hide or show invisible files.
Method-2: How to show hidden files on Mac with Funter
The easiest way to show hidden files for you is to use the free Funter application.
Funter application will allow you to find, hide, and search for hidden files on your Mac in just a few clicks and made it easy for you.
Follow these steps to see hidden files on Mac:
- Once Funter is downloaded and installed, then Launch Funter.
- Now, this Funter app will allow you to manage hidden files.
- Click on the “Show Hidden Files” option in the menu bar. It will just show how to toggle, as it is a toggle option to show or hide hidden files.
- Once the “Show Hidden Files” option is made active i.e selected, then it is done. All your hidden files are visible on your Mac.
- Open Finder and specific folder that you want to check. There you go, you will see your hidden files.
System requirements: macOS 10.13-10.15
Priсe: Free
Method-3: How to view hidden files on Mac using a shortcut
You can use a very special keyboard shortcut in keyboard to see all hidden files on your Mac. Here is how to view hidden files on macOS:
- Activate the Finder application from your Mac.
- Open a folder that may contain hidden files that you want to see the hidden files.
- Now press the command as “Command + Shift + Period (CMD+Shift+.)” shortcut in your keyboard.
- You can preview all the files you have in the active folder that are hidden.
- You can repeat all the steps given above again if you want to hide the files again.
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Method-4: How to remove hidden attribute show / hide hidden files with Terminal command in Mac
The terminal is a command-line application that allows you to manage your Mac using low-level commands. To operate the application correctly, you have to be very familiar with Terminal commands.
- Firstly, open the Applications folder from the left side toolbar.
- Click on the Utilities and then find the Terminal in the Finder.
- Open the Terminal application from the Launchpad.
- Now copy and paste the following command in the Terminal window.
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true
or “defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES”
- Click on the Enter or Return button.
- Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key in the keyboard, then right-click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.
- Enter the next command to relaunch the Finder application
- killall Finder
- Click Enter to finish.
- This command will help you to restart the Finder and then you will see all hidden files and folders on your Mac system.
- If you want to hide the files again, you simply repeat the same operations or process again, but just change the last word in the first command to “false”.
- So, you should perform these two commands to make the hidden files invisible again:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool false
killall Finder
Method-5: How to show invisible files using AppleScript
AppleScript is a language developed to help you to automate repetitive or time-consuming Mac actions that will be any.
You can also make use of this script to make hidden files visible using AppleScript. Generally, AppleScripts are created within the Script Editor tool.
Follow these steps to show hidden files with AppleScript command:
- Open the Script Editor application or tool from LaunchPad in Mac.
- Copy and paste the following code into the editor’s window:
display dialog “Would you like to show hidden files?” buttons {“Show Hidden Files”, “Hide Files”}
set result to button returned of result
if result is equal to “Show Hidden Files” then
do shell script “defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true”
else
do shell script “defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool false”
end if
do shell script “killall Finder”
- Click on the Run button.
- A dialog box will open with a message saying ‘Would you like to show hidden files?’ and two buttons ‘Show Hidden Files’ and ‘Hide Files’.
- Save this file to use it for later purposes.
- Each time you need to hide or show hidden files and folders, just open this script file and click the Run button.
Conclusion:
Now you have the information that you can display hidden files on your Mac using the Funter app, a Terminal command or a keyboard shortcut.
Suppose if you are looking for the easiest solution to manage your hidden files, then it is the best way to use the free Funter tool.
Funter tool will give you access to hidden files and folders but also will help you search for hidden files by their names. More importantly, to say for you, it can make essential data invisible to prevent its accidental removal and it is safe to use for you.
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