How to show and access hidden files on Mac

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Updated on:January 13, 2026

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If you’re a Mac owner, you may already know that certain files and folders are hidden on your macOS to prevent accidental changes that could damage the system. These files often include critical system components, and modifying them without proper knowledge can cause serious issues, including system instability or data loss.

However, there are times when you may need to access these files. In this article, we’ll show you different ways to view hidden files and folders on Mac. But proceed with extreme caution. Changing or deleting essential system files can lead to irreversible damage to your operating system.

Finder works fine for basic tasks, but if you’re looking for something with dual-panel support and more advanced features, Commander One is a decent option. It’s pretty straightforward and gets the job done.
— from Quora

View hidden files in Finder

If you prefer not to use a third-party app, you can view hidden files directly in Mac Finder. There’s a simple macOS shortcut that allows you to quickly view or hide such files as needed.

Here’s how to find them:

1

Open Finder on your MacBook or desktop Mac.

Open Finder on your MacBook
2

Navigate to the folder containing your hidden files.

3

Press ⌘ (Cmd) + Shift + (Period).

4

You should now be able to see all files and folders.

5

To hide these files/folders again,
simply press ⌘ (Cmd) + Shift + (Period) once more.

See hidden files in Terminal

There’s another way to show hidden files Mac, and that’s by using terminal commands. You can view hidden files Mac Terminal – and it actually has many uses for network setup, system management, and so on, as well as showing hidden folders and files. If you’re not quite sure how it works, don’t worry – we’ll show you exactly how to do this with our step-by-step instructions, below:

1

Launch the Terminal (you can do this from Launchpad or Spotlight).

2

You’ll start off in the Home folder.
To change directories, use cd folder_name.

3

To go one directory higher, use cd ..
You can also check available folders by using ls.

view hidden files Mac Terminal
4

Next to the input field you should see your current location.

5

Navigate to where you need to be, then type ls -a and you’ll be able to see all your Mac’s hidden files.

It’s worth noting that those new to Mac or anybody who’s a complete beginner when it comes to technology probably shouldn’t use Terminal commands for macOS to show hidden folders and files. We’d recommend using an FTP client like Commander One, which makes it easy to view hidden files without too much effort.

Using Alternative app for viewing hidden files on Mac

If you’re wondering how to make hidden files on Mac visible, a macOS file manager with FTP support like Commander One can help you access them easily.

An FTP client makes it easy to access files and folders you normally can’t see, showing them directly in the app without relying on Finder. With Commander One, you can quickly enable hidden files by following these steps.

1

Download and install Commander One on your Mac.

2

Launch the app and use the toggle switch on the top toolbar to make the app show files that are there but can’t be seen.

The toggle switch on the Commander One's toolbar is highlighted
3

You can also go to View > Show Hidden Files
(or use the ⌥ ⇧ ⌘ H hotkey).

You should now be able to find all files on your Mac, but be cautious not to accidentally delete or alter anything important.

The Verdict

As you know by now, there are various ways your Mac can show invisible files, each with different levels of complexity. While methods like using Terminal commands can be powerful, they might not be ideal for beginners or those unfamiliar with Mac systems. 

For a simpler experience, we recommend using an FTP client like Commander One, which makes the process much easier and more accessible.

Commander One is an easy-to-use, reliable app that simplifies file management. Not only can it unhide hidden files with just a few clicks, but it also allows you to manage cloud storage and remote servers easily. This makes it a great all-in-one solution for handling your data, both local and in the cloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Commander One allows you to encrypt folders to safeguard your data. Using AES-256 encryption, it makes sure that only those with the correct password can access the files. You can easily encrypt a folder by selecting the “Encrypt” option from the context menu and setting a password. Remember, if you forget the password, the data will be permanently inaccessible.

Commander One supports a ton of archive formats. You can create, extract, and modify archives like .zip, .7z, .tar.gz, and .tgz. It also lets you extract and modify formats like .ipa, .apk, and .tar, plus open others like .rar and .iso (but you can’t modify them). The free version only supports .zip files, though.

Deleting system files on your Mac can cause serious issues, potentially damaging the operating system. macOS doesn’t provide a “Clear System” or “Delete System” option for a reason–removing them can affect system stability and performance. It’s best to manage storage carefully and avoid deleting files from System or System Data to prevent problems.