What are the hidden files on the Mac? Hidden files on a computer are files that are not visible to the user. You can identify hidden files by name and icon type. First, the hidden file name begins with a dot (or period). Second, the file icon is translucent.

MacOS creates hidden files that the system needs to run. The application also creates hidden files, such as cache files, logs, preferences, and so on. Most of them are in the Library folder, which is also hidden. These files are not visible for security reasons, but also to separate them from the files that users create and use. However, not all hidden files are required.

Now. Let’s take a look at the easiest way to display and manipulate hidden files on a Mac.

How to use Funter to show hidden files on a Mac

The easiest way to manage this task is to use the free Funter application. Funter lets you find, hide, and search hidden files on your Mac with just a few clicks.

To do this, perform the following steps:

  1. Start the Funter.
  2. Click show Hidden Files in the menu bar. Finished!
  3. Open the finder. There you will see your hidden items.

How to use shortcuts to view hidden files on the Mac

You can use special keyboard shortcuts to view all invisible items on the Mac. Here’s how to look at them:

  1. Activate the Finder application.
  2. Open a folder that may contain such files.
  3. Press Command +Shift+ period (CMD+Shift+.) Shortcuts.
  4. Preview all files in the active folder.
  5. If you want to hide the file again, repeat the steps above.

Note that even if you use this method to view all types of files, you won’t be able to find them using Spotlight search. If you need to find hidden files by name, we recommend using Funter. Funter simply enters the file name and clicks Find to Find any files that are not visible on the Mac.

How do I use terminal commands to display hidden files

Terminal is a command-line application that allows you to manage your Mac using low-level commands. To operate the application correctly, you need to be familiar with terminal commands.

To use the command line to display potential files on the Mac, perform the following steps:

  1. Open the terminal application from the Launchpad.
  2. Copy and paste the following command into the terminal window: defaults write com.apple.finder appleshowallfiles-bool true
  3. Click the Enter button.
  4. Enter the next command to restart the Finder application. Kill finder
  5. Click Enter to finish.

This command will restart the Finder, and then you’ll see hidden files and folders on your Mac. If you want to hide the file again, you can just repeat the operation, but change the last word in the first command to “false”. Therefore, you should execute these two commands to make the file invisible again: defaults write com.apple.finder appleshowallfiles-bool false killall Finder