Three ways to show hidden files on Mac OS X Lion

Brian August 2, 2011 11

Show hidden files mac os x lion

One feature that many Mac users may miss from their Windows days is the easy way of seeing hidden files. Well fear not fellow users, we’ve got three different ways you can see those hidden files on Mac.

This was done on Mac OS X Lion. Check out the video at the bottom of the post.

First way using Terminal:

  • Open the Terminal application (Applications > Utilities > Terminal.app)
  • Type in the following without the quotes “defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE”
  • Hit the ‘Enter’ key
  • Restart the Finder by holding ‘Option’, click and hold on the icon. Click ‘Relaunch’
  • To re-hide the files type “defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE”
  • Then restart the Finder again.

Second Way using Tinkertool:

  • Download and install Tinkertool (here)
  • Launch the app and in the ‘Finder’ tab, find the box that says “Show hidden and system files”
  • Check that box and click “Relaunch Finder” at the bottom right

Third way using DesktopUtility:

  • Download and install DesktopUtility (here)
  • Launch the app and locate the icon in the menu bar
  • Click the option “Show Invisible files”

Our favorite way is definitely one of the last two ways but it does require a third party application.

That’s it!

More tips here.

Purchase Mac OS X Lion from the Mac App Store here.

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POSTED IN » Apple, Mac, Tips
  • Guest

    Bifocals http://www.bifocalsapp.com/ Offers a free menu bar app to do this as well.

    • April

      Yeah try some cocktail..      ….fruit.  OS X Lion blows.  Wish I would have NEVER upgraded from Snow.

    • quadrinaro

      good advise

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=824729322 Robert Lloyd

    You can also use Cocktail, the OS X utility program from www.maintain.se

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=824729322 Robert Lloyd

    You can also use Cocktail, the OS X utility program from www.maintain.se

  • Dzul Nizam Mahmud Pauzi

    Nice. but is there a way to show hidden files without relaunching finder? this is especially useful if you already have a few finder windows opened

  • jb99

    To just make the Users/Library folder visible, write the following command line in the Terminal App:
    chflags nohidden ~/Library             and press Return.
    And to make the Users/Library folder invisible again,write the following command line in the Terminal App:
    chflags hidden ~/Library                 and press Return.

  • judah

    Cool !

  • Enrico De Michele

    Download the free app ShowHiddenFiles –> http://www.enricodemichele.com/en/mac-osx-app.html

  • Cali_craftmblk

    will this allow you to view DVD as well

  • Carl Alonso

    I thought that changing to mac os X I would never need to use command lines to get elemental functions as to show hidden files ! I’m starting to think that the “ease” is a lie.