{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-show-hidden-files-on-a-mac","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-show-hidden-files-on-a-mac","category":{"id":"mac-storage-basics","title":"Mac storage basics"},"subcategory":{"id":"caches-temp-logs","title":"Caches, logs and temporary files"},"question":"How do I show hidden files in Finder?","alt_questions":["show hidden files mac shortcut","command shift period finder","see dot files mac","hidden files not showing macos","reveal hidden folders finder"],"short_answer":"Press Shift-Command-. (period) in a Finder window to show or hide hidden files. They appear dimmed; avoid deleting ones you don't recognise.","answer_markdown":"Press **Shift-Command-. (period)** in any Finder window to toggle hidden files on and off. Hidden items appear slightly dimmed.\n\nHidden files include system folders and \"dot\" files that apps use for settings. Seeing them helps when tracking down space, but most of them are small and some are required, so avoid deleting hidden items unless you know what they are.","answer_html":"

Press Shift-Command-. (period) in any Finder window to toggle hidden files on and off. Hidden items appear slightly dimmed.

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Hidden files include system folders and "dot" files that apps use for settings. Seeing them helps when tracking down space, but most of them are small and some are required, so avoid deleting hidden items unless you know what they are.

","answer_text":"Press Shift-Command-. (period) in any Finder window to toggle hidden files on and off. Hidden items appear slightly dimmed.\n\nHidden files include system folders and \"dot\" files that apps use for settings. Seeing them helps when tracking down space, but most of them are small and some are required, so avoid deleting hidden items unless you know what they are.","tags":["finder","hidden files","shortcut"],"related":[{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-open-the-library-folder-on-a-mac","question":"How do I open the hidden Library folder on my Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-open-the-library-folder-on-a-mac"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"How do I show hidden files in Finder? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Press Shift-Command-. (period) in a Finder window to show or hide hidden files. They appear dimmed; avoid deleting ones you don't recognise.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Mac storage basics","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/"},{"name":"How do I show hidden files in Finder?","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-show-hidden-files-on-a-mac"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-show-hidden-files-on-a-mac","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I show hidden files in Finder?","alternateName":["show hidden files mac shortcut","command shift period finder","see dot files mac","hidden files not showing macos","reveal hidden folders finder"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Press Shift-Command-. (period) in any Finder window to toggle hidden files on and off. Hidden items appear slightly dimmed.\n\nHidden files include system folders and \"dot\" files that apps use for settings. Seeing them helps when tracking down space, but most of them are small and some are required, so avoid deleting hidden items unless you know what they are.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-show-hidden-files-on-a-mac"}}]},"fragment":"
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Mac storage basics · Caches, logs and temporary files

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How do I show hidden files in Finder?

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Short answer: Press Shift-Command-. (period) in a Finder window to show or hide hidden files. They appear dimmed; avoid deleting ones you don't recognise.

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Press Shift-Command-. (period) in any Finder window to toggle hidden files on and off. Hidden items appear slightly dimmed.

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Hidden files include system folders and "dot" files that apps use for settings. Seeing them helps when tracking down space, but most of them are small and some are required, so avoid deleting hidden items unless you know what they are.

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Last reviewed

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