Mac computers offer a sleek and user-friendly interface that makes navigation seamless for users. Although the Mac interface is designed to be intuitive, there are times when users need to access hidden files and folders to troubleshoot issues or make changes to the system. By default, Mac computers hide certain system files and folders that are crucial to its operation, but with the following steps, you can easily show them.

1. Launch Finder

Finder is the default file management app for Macs, and you can launch it by clicking on the Finder icon in the dock or by pressing Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight and then typing in “Finder.”

2. Access the Utilities folder

From the Finder window, click on the “Go” menu at the top of the screen, then select “Utilities.” Alternatively, you can use the shortcut Command + Shift + U to access the Utilities folder directly.

3. Open Terminal

In the Utilities folder, locate the Terminal app and double-click on it to open it. Terminal is a command-line interface that allows you to enter commands that will cause changes in your Mac system.

4. Enter the command to show hidden files and folders

In the Terminal window, type the following command: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true
Then press “Enter” on your keyboard.

5. Restart Finder

Now that you’ve entered the command, you need to restart Finder to apply the changes. To do this, type the following command into the terminal: killall Finder
Press “Enter” on your keyboard, and Finder will restart.

6. Show Hidden Files and Folders

Now the hidden files and folders on your Mac will be visible. You can access them by opening a Finder window, and pressing Command + Shift + . (dot) to toggle between showing and hiding the hidden files and folders.

7. Hide Hidden Files and Folders

If you want to hide the files and folders that you just made visible, repeat steps 1 to 3 as above, and then type the following command into the Terminal window: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles false
Press “Enter” on your keyboard.
Next, restart Finder by typing: killall Finder
Press “Enter” on your keyboard, and the hidden files and folders will be hidden again.

In conclusion, showing hidden files and folders on your Mac is a straightforward process that only requires a few simple steps in Terminal. Remember, the changes you make using Terminal can affect your system, so be sure to enter the commands as shown in this article.