Apple has its reason for hiding out certain file from the average Mac drug user ; after all , it ’s hard to break something you ca n’t see . But sometimes you need to see those files – or get to the secret ~/Library folder – to fix something that is n’t make on your Mac .

instead , you may need to make some blank on your Mac and conceive that deleting some of these hidden single file might be a adept way to do so . In that showcase we have a number of tips inHow to complimentary space on a Macas well asHow to delete Other storage on a Mac , How to delete system data on a MacandHow to blue-pencil memory cache on a Mac . Our advice is not to delete these hide out files unless you really know what you are doing !

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If you are n’t certain how to see how much disk space your Mac has , understand : How to control how much disc space you have .

The files you wo n’t be capable to see by default are typically preceded by a full stop , for exercise   .htaccess file , .bash_profile or .svn directory . brochure like /usr , /bin , and /etc are hidden out , too . And the Library folder , which contains applications programme - sustenance file and some data point , is also tucked out of sight .

How to see hidden files in macOS

A quick and gentle way to bump secret files within a folder is to launch the Finder and press the next samara :

Command + Shift + .(full hitch / flow )

But there are other option you might like to deliberate , as we explain below .

How to show hidden files on a Mac: Library folder

When you no longer desire to see the veil booklet just press the same headstone again :

Command + Shift + .

Where is the Library folder?

A lot of these hide Indian file are located in a Library folder , which is itself hidden from view .

Just to confuse matters , there is more than one Library folder , and not all of them are hidden . We ’ll explicate below the difference and how to find each Library booklet , including ~/Library on your Mac .

worsen the confusedness is the fact that Apple has made muckle of changes to the Finder in late years , so some tutorials may cite things that simply are n’t there anymore . For representative , the household leaflet will have a home icon and credibly whatever name you have designate to your Mac . You ’ll find it in the Users folder . Neither is seeable by default option in macOS Big Sur or subsequently , but do n’t worry , we ’ll explicate where to find them below .

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Similarly , the Macintosh HD is unremarkably whatever you have named your Mac and again is n’t visible by nonremittal . Do n’t interest , we ’ll explain how to make these visible !

How to find ~/Library

The first Library booklet we will locate is the out of sight one in your Home folder . It ’s sometimes bring up to as ~/Library .

The Home pamphlet is one of the leaflet that is less well-situated to turn up than it used to be , nor is it actually called the Home brochure . It ’s most likely got your name colligate with it , but it will have an icon that looks like it has a house in it .

There are several ways to get at this Home folder :

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Once you have arrived at the menage folder you could pressCommand + Shift + .to view the shroud files including the hidden Library folder .

Another elbow room to get to this hidden Library ( consult to as ~/Library ) is to use theGooption in the Finder ’s computer menu to jump to it . Here ’s how to do that :

When you apply this method the obscure folder will be made visible without need to pressCommand + change over + .(full check ) . But after you close up the Finder window it will no longer be seeable .

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There is an even well-heeled way to find your concealed ~/Library/ folder . Just is to do the following :

How to find Library in Macintosh HD

The second program library folder is n’t hidden as such , but it is still tricky to locate thanks to change Apple ’s made to the Finder over the days .

This Library folder is located inside what is often bring up to as the Macintosh HD folder but yours will probably be named whatever you have called your Mac . If you do n’t see a Macintosh HD folder ( or whatever you have named your startup storage machine ) in the left - helping hand column when you open up the Finder here ’s what to do :

Now you will see your disk in the Locations section of the Finder ( or the Devices department in older macOSs ) . This leaflet include Applications , Library , System and Users but also includes a lot of hidden folders and Indian file .

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PressCommand + Shift + .to reveal them .

How to find the System Library

The third Library pamphlet is settle in System ( one of those folders in the Macintosh HD brochure we just mention ) . It contains all the files that macOS needs to extend .

pick out the difference : equate these three Library folders :

How to keep the hidden ~/Library folder visible

If you use the Go method to locate the ~/Library that folder will remain visible until you shut the Finder windowpane . Next metre you look it will have vanished again .

If you want the folders to rest seeable then you should beseech Cmd + Shift + . to reveal the concealed folders . When you no longer want to see them click Command + Shift + . again .

Another way to keep the secret ~/Library leaflet visible is to drag the hidden Library icon from the Finder windowpane to the Finder sidebar . This will make it approachable even after you ’ve closed the Finder .

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How to view hidden folders using Terminal

Another room to make hidden files and leaflet visible ask you to useTerminal .

If you desire to switch it back , only change the true to imitation .

Best apps for making space on a Mac

If your reason for settle these hidden files was to try out and take out some of the space grunter from your system , we commend you use an app like CleanMyMac . It ’s what we used when we need to regain some space when we were installing macOS Big Sur back in 2020 . Read : Don’t bother trying to update macOS if you have a 128 GB Mac .

We have a turn - up of theBest Mac Cleanersin which we await atCleanMyMac , Parallels ToolBox , Cleaner One Pro , MacCleaner Proand more options .

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