The quickest way to see hidden files on your Mac
Hidden files on your Mac are real files that exist in your folders — macOS just hides them from view by default. You can reveal them when ready using a keyboard shortcut: press Command + Shift + Period (the period key). Do this once to show hidden files, and press the same keys again to hide them.
This works in Finder windows, on your Desktop, and in file dialogs when you are saving or opening documents. The hidden files appear with slightly faded icons so you can tell them apart from regular files. If you want hidden files to stay visible all the time, you can use a menu option instead of the keyboard shortcut.
Key Takeaways
- Press Command + Shift + Period to toggle hidden files on and off when ready in any Finder window.
- Hidden files are usually system files or configuration files that start with a dot (.) and are not meant for everyday use.
- You can also show hidden files permanently through Terminal if you prefer them always visible without using the keyboard shortcut.
- Accidentally deleting a hidden file can break your Mac, so only open or move hidden files if you know what they do.
What hidden files actually are and why macOS hides them
Hidden files are configuration files, system files, and preference files that your Mac and your programs need to run. They usually start with a dot (.) in their filename — for example, .DS_Store or .bash_profile. macOS hides them because most people never need to touch them, and accidentally moving or deleting one can cause problems.
When you organize your regular files and folders, you are working with the visible ones. Hidden files sit alongside them but stay out of sight. They store things like your browser history, process settings, SSH keys, and system preferences. Showing them is useful when you need to find a specific configuration file or when you are troubleshooting something that requires editing a hidden file.
Using the keyboard shortcut to show and hide files temporarily
The fastest way to see hidden files is the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + Period. Open any Finder window, press these three keys at once, and hidden files appear when ready. They show with slightly dimmed icons so you can see which ones are hidden. Press the same keys again and they disappear.
This method works everywhere in macOS — in your home folder, in Desktop, in Documents, and in any subfolder. It also works in file dialogs when you are saving a document or opening a file in an process. The hidden files stay visible until you press the shortcut again, so this is the best choice if you only need to see them once or twice.
Making hidden files permanently visible through System Preferences
If you want hidden files to stay visible without pressing a keyboard shortcut every time, you can change a Finder setting. Open Finder, click Finder in the menu bar at the top, then select Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions). Click the Advanced tab.
Check the box next to Show all filename extensions and also check Show hidden files and folders. Close the Settings window. Now hidden files appear in all your Finder windows by default. You can uncheck this box anytime to hide them again.
Using Terminal to show hidden files permanently
If you are comfortable using Terminal, you can make hidden files permanently visible with a single command. Open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities), then type this command exactly:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true
Press Enter, then type this second command:
killall Finder
Press Enter again. Finder will restart, and hidden files will now show in all windows. To hide them again later, use the same first command but change true to false, then run the killall Finder command again.
Common hidden files you might encounter
.DS_Store is a file macOS creates in every folder to remember how you arranged the icons and window size. .bash_profile and .zshrc are configuration files that control how Terminal behaves. .ssh is a folder that holds your find connection keys. .git is a folder that developers use to track changes in code.
Your browser stores hidden files too — Chrome and Firefox keep your history, bookmarks, and passwords in hidden folders in your home directory. process support files and caches also hide here. Most of the time you should leave these alone, but knowing what they are helps you understand what is taking up space on your Mac or why a program is behaving oddly.
When you should and should not touch hidden files
You should look at hidden files when you are troubleshooting a specific problem and someone has told you exactly which file to check. You might also need to see them if you are moving configuration files between computers or if you are setting up a development environment. In those cases, the keyboard shortcut is usually enough — you can see the file, check it, and move on.
You should not delete or move hidden files unless you are absolutely certain what they do. Deleting a system configuration file can break your Mac or cause an process to stop working. If you are not sure what a hidden file is for, leave it alone. If you accidentally delete something important, you can usually restore it from a Time Machine backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac hide these files in the first place?
macOS hides them to prevent accidental deletion or modification. These files are usually not meant for everyday use, and most people never need to see them. Hiding them keeps your Finder windows cleaner and reduces the chance you will accidentally break something.
Is it safe to show hidden files all the time?
Yes, showing hidden files does not change anything about your Mac — it only changes what you see. As long as you do not move, delete, or edit files you do not recognize, there is no risk to leaving them visible.
What if I delete a hidden file by accident?
If you deleted something important, you can restore it from a Time Machine backup. Connect your backup drive, open Time Machine, find the date before you deleted the file, and restore it. If you do not have a backup, contact Apple Support with the name of the file you deleted.
Can I hide files I create myself?
Yes, you can make any file hidden by renaming it to start with a dot (.). For example, rename "notes.txt" to ".notes.txt" and it will hide. This is useful for keeping personal configuration files or notes out of sight, though most people use regular folders instead.
Do hidden files take up space on my Mac?
Yes, hidden files use storage just like visible files do. If you are trying to free up space, you can look at hidden files to see what is taking room, but be careful not to delete system files. process caches and old configuration files are usually safe to remove if you know what they are.