If we use a shared Mac at home or in the office, it is possible that at some point we need to hide files or folders , so that they are not accessible to prying eyes.
However, it is also common for the operating system itself to hide certain files that, originally, are essential for its proper functioning.
However, there are times when it might be necessary to access those files. For example, most of the time, many of them are hidden in the “~ / Library” folder.
While it is also possible that some other user has been able to hide certain folders or files, for which it may be necessary to follow other steps to be able to view them.
How to view hidden files through the Finder
Luckily, it doesn’t take much to make hidden files visible on the Mac. Not surprisingly, it is perfectly possible to check all hidden files by following a series of basic steps.
We must open Finder and place ourselves inside the Macintosh HD folder. Now, we press on the keyboard and at the same time Command + Shift + Point . From then on, the hidden files will become visible.
Of course, in case we want to hide them again, it will be necessary to repeat the same steps.
You should know that this process will also work in other locations or places, including the Applications or Documents folders.
Show hidden files with Terminal
Terminal consists of a Mac command line interface, which we find included by default in the operating system, and which offers us the possibility of being able to use a series of command prompts to control the device.
If you have experience with its use, you can open Terminal and enter the following command:
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true [Press Return] killall Finder
Then, if you want to hide the files again, you just have to change “true” to “false”.
Some considerations
There is one critical thing to keep in mind: both files and folders are often hidden for good reason . For example, they are most often important to the proper functioning of the operating system, so accidentally deleting them could cause catastrophic problems.
Therefore, unless we know what we are doing, it is essential to leave everything as it is .
Likewise, it is not very advisable to interfere in the privacy of the user who has decided to hide those files or folders. Unless, of course, we are the ones who have intentionally concealed them.
