The fastest way to reach files you use often

On a Mac, Favorites is a folder in Finder that holds shortcuts to the files, folders, and drives you open most. When you add something to Favorites, you are not moving it — you are creating a quick link that appears in the Finder sidebar. The original stays where it is. This means you can reach a project folder, a shared drive, or a document in one click instead of navigating through nested folders every time.

Adding to Favorites takes seconds and works the same way whether you are organizing work documents, creative projects, or downloads you reference often. Once something is in Favorites, it stays there until you remove it, so you can build a personalized list of the places you actually go.

Key Takeaways

  • Drag any file, folder, or drive to the Favorites section in the Finder sidebar to add it when ready.
  • You can also right-click a folder and select "Add to Favorites" from the menu without dragging.
  • Favorites appear only in your Finder sidebar and do not change where the original file is stored.
  • Remove a favorite by right-clicking it in the sidebar and choosing "Remove from Favorites".
  • Organize your Favorites by dragging them up or down in the sidebar to match the order you use them.

Add a favorite by dragging

Open Finder and locate the folder or file you want to add. Look at the left sidebar — you will see a section labeled "Favorites" near the top, above "iCloud Drive" or "Recents". Drag the folder or file directly onto that Favorites section. When you see the blue highlight appear, release the mouse. The item now appears in your Favorites list.

This method works for any folder, file, or external drive. You can drag a project folder from your Desktop, a shared folder from a network drive, or even an individual document you return to often. The original stays exactly where it was — the Favorite is just a shortcut.

Add a favorite using the right-click menu

If dragging feels awkward or you prefer menus, right-click the folder or file you want to add. A menu appears with several options. Look for "Add to Favorites" and click it. The item appears in your Favorites section when ready.

This method is especially useful if you are already browsing in Finder and want to add something without switching windows. It also works the same way whether you are in a local folder, a network drive, or an external hard drive.

Add a favorite from the Finder menu bar

When you have a folder open in Finder, you can add it to Favorites directly from the menu. Click "File" in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then look for "Add to Favorites". The open folder is now in your Favorites list.

This approach is fastest if you are already inside the folder you want to save — you do not have to navigate back to see it in the sidebar first. It is also useful if you want to add the current location without closing any windows.

Organize your Favorites in the order you use them

Once you have added several items to Favorites, you can rearrange them by dragging. Click and hold any favorite in the sidebar, then drag it up or down to a new position. This lets you put the folders you use most at the top, where they are easiest to reach.

There is no limit to how many Favorites you can add, but keeping the most-used ones near the top makes your sidebar more efficient. If your Favorites list grows long, consider removing items you no longer use regularly — this keeps the list focused on what you actually open.

Remove a favorite when you no longer need it

Right-click any favorite in the sidebar and select "Remove from Favorites". The shortcut disappears from your sidebar when ready. The original file or folder stays exactly where it is — removing a favorite only removes the shortcut, not the actual item.

You can also remove a favorite by clicking it once to select it, then pressing the Delete key. Either method works, and you can always add it back later if you change your mind.

Favorites versus tags and Smart Folders

Favorites are the simplest way to reach files you use often, but they are not the only option. Tags let you label files with colors or keywords so you can search for them later — useful if you want to group files by project or type rather than location. Smart Folders automatically gather files that match rules you set, like "all documents modified in the last week" or "all files larger than 100 MB".

Favorites work best when you want when ready access to specific folders or drives. Tags and Smart Folders work better when you want to find files by what they are, not where they are. Many people use all three together — Favorites for the places they go most, tags for organizing by project, and Smart Folders for searches they run often.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add files from external drives or network drives to Favorites?

Yes. Drag any folder or drive from a network location or external hard drive into your Favorites section the same way you would a local folder. The shortcut appears in your sidebar, and you can reach that location in one click even if the drive is not always connected.

What happens to a favorite if I move or delete the original folder?

If you move the original folder to a different location on your Mac, the favorite updates automatically and still points to it. If you delete the original folder, the favorite becomes broken — clicking it shows an error. You can then remove the broken favorite from your sidebar.

Can I see my Favorites on other Macs or devices?

Favorites are stored locally on each Mac and do not sync across devices. If you use multiple Macs, you will need to add the same folders to Favorites on each one. iCloud Drive folders can be added to Favorites on any Mac where you are signed in to the same Apple account.

Is there a limit to how many Favorites I can add?

No limit exists, but a very long Favorites list becomes harder to scan. Most people keep between 5 and 15 active Favorites and remove ones they stop using regularly.

Can I add a favorite to a specific folder, or only to the main sidebar?

Favorites appear only in the main Finder sidebar. You cannot create a "favorites" folder inside another folder. If you want to organize shortcuts within a folder, create a regular folder and add aliases (shortcuts) to it instead.