Reveal Hidden Files and Folders on Mac

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Method 1: Show Hidden Files in macOS Finder

The easiest way to reveal hidden files on your Mac is through Finder. This method is simple, fast, and works in most cases. Here’s how to view hidden files on Mac Finder:

1. Open Finder from your Dock.

2. Go to any folder where you think hidden files might be, like Macintosh HD or Documents.

3. Press Command + Shift + . (period) on your keyboard. This immediately shows hidden files and folders, which appear slightly grayed out compared to regular files.

4. If you want to hide them again, press the same combination once more.

   

Be careful with system files: Many hidden files are critical for macOS to run properly. If you’re unsure about a file’s purpose, it’s best to leave it alone to avoid causing system issues.

Method 2: Show Invisible Files on Mac with Terminal

If Finder doesn’t reveal the files you need, Terminal provides another option to unhide them. This method is a bit more technical, but it’s extremely effective for stubborn files that won’t appear any other way.

1. Open Terminal. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, then type “Terminal” and hit Enter.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true

   

3. Then restart Finder:
   killall Finder

   
   
   This will force Finder to restart and show hidden files or folders on your Mac throughout the system.

4. To hide the files again, use the same command but change true to false:
   defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles false

5. Once again, restart Finder:
   killall Finder

Still Nothing? Use Data Recovery Software to Find Hidden Files

If Finder and Terminal haven’t helped you locate the hidden files, third-party recovery software is your next best option. Tools like Disk Drill are designed to recover data that’s lost, deleted, or otherwise inaccessible—files that standard methods like Finder or other file managers can’t reach. We’ve recommended this approach many times for users who need a deep scan of their system.

Why Disk Drill is a great tool for this situation:

• Can recover deleted or hidden files from all types of drives

• Supports a wide range of file systems: APFS, HFS+, FAT32, exFAT, and more

• Includes Deep Scan to locate files even when directory info is missing

• Offers preview functionality so you can see recoverable files before restoring

• Straightforward interface makes it easy for non-technical users to perform recovery

Disk Drill essentially gives you a second chance to access files that macOS itself cannot show.

• Finds hidden, lost, or deleted files that Finder and Terminal can’t detect.

• Can scan all kinds of devices. Works not only on your Mac’s internal drive but also on external devices like USB drives, SD cards, external hard drives, and even iPhones.

• Recovers a wide range of file types.

• Lets you preview files before recovery.

• Easy-to-use.

Here’s how you can use Disk Drill to reveal hidden files:

1. Go to the official Disk Drill website and download the software. Follow the installation steps.

2. Open Disk Drill and select the Storage devices tab from the sidebar.

   

3. Select the drive you want to scan (typically your main Mac drive, but can be any other storage device).

4. Click Search for lost data. The scan will begin, and you can click Review found items even while the scan is in progress. A list of found files will appear, and it will continue to grow as the scan continues.

   

5. The files will be grouped under different categories like Existing files (files that currently exist on your system but might be hidden), Deleted or lost (files that have been deleted from your system but are still recoverable), and Reconstructed (files that have been partially recovered from fragments found). You can filter the results by file types—such as Pictures, Videos, Audio, or Documents—to make it easier to find what you need.

6. To make sure you see everything, check that Show system & hidden files is enabled. This will display all hidden files within Disk Drill’s interface. Click the Show button and select Show system & hidden files.

   

7. You can check both files and entire folders for recovery. A preview window will appear for each file, which is super helpful to be sure you’ve found the right files.

   

8. Click Recover to save these files. Note that the basic version of Disk Drill for Mac lets you scan and preview files, but to actually recover them, you’ll need to upgrade to the PRO version. At least with the free version, you can be sure your files are still there.

Act quickly if files were deleted: The longer you wait, the higher the chance that the data could be overwritten, making recovery much harder.

Disk Drill is one of the best tools for this task. We’ve recovered countless files with it, from common formats like JPEG, MP4, PDF to more obscure ones like RAW, FLAC, and MAT. It works seamlessly on macOS, including the latest macOS Sequoia. For comparison with other tools, see our list of the best data recovery software for Mac.

To Sum Up

Hidden files on your Mac aren’t complicated to manage. Each method suits different scenarios:

• Finder: Quick and easy access for most hidden files

• Terminal: Deeper access when Finder fails

• Disk Drill: Full scan and recovery for deleted or inaccessible files

Caution: Hidden files are often critical for macOS operation. Only modify or recover them if you’re sure what you’re doing.

Extra tip: If files are unexpectedly hidden or disappearing, consider scanning your Mac or storage device for malware. Some viruses can hide files, alter directories, or cause unexpected data loss.