AlmostGeek

How To Show Hidden Files in OS X

In following the tutorials here at Almost Geek, you will often need to look at your systems hidden files for copy or move things around. OS X makes showing hidden files a chore, in fact I had to search for how to do it. I found this article on how to do it http://osxdaily.com/2009/02/25/show-hidden-files-in-os-x and that’s how I do it on my system.

Copy this command into Terminal* (new window click to find out where Terminal is):

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE

Then restart finder by typing this command into terminal:

killall Finder

When your done working with your hidden files and folders simply reverse the command to hide hidden files again.

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE

Once again restart Finder with the following command:

killall Finder

Here is what your home directory normally looks like:

Mac OS X Home Folder

Your home folder with hidden files shown:

OS X's Home Folder with Hidden Files Shown

Where is the Terminal On my Mac?

As you follow along with our tutorials here you will sometimes need to use Mac OS X’s terminal which is the command line interface for your Mac it’s just like command prompt on Windows. You can find your terminal by opening your Applications Folder > Utilities > Terminal.

The terminal icon looks like this:

Mac OS X Terminal Icon