Show hidden files and folders in Finder

Why it happens

Your Mac hides files whose names start with a dot, plus a few system folders, so they don't get moved or deleted by accident. They are still there, just not shown. The shortcut tells Finder to show them until you press it again.

How to fix it

1. Click Finder in the Dock and open the folder you want to look in.

2. Hold Command and Shift, then press the Period key, next to the slash key at the bottom right of the letters.

3. Hidden items now show with faded icons. Leave them be unless you know what they're for.

4. Press Command-Shift-Period again when you're done to hide them once more.

Still not fixed?

1. After your Library folder? Hold Option and open the Go menu in Finder: Library appears in the list.

   Finder›Go›Library

2. To keep Library in view all the time, open your home folder, press Command-J and tick Show Library Folder.

   Finder›View›Show View Options

3. The shortcut also works in Open and Save windows inside apps, which helps when an app needs a hidden file.

4. If the shortcut does nothing, click inside a Finder window first so Finder is the app in front, then try again.

5. If hidden files never show even with Finder in front and a restart, contact Apple Support.