Show Hidden Files in Finder with AppleShowAllFiles
A Finder preference flip reveals dot-files like .zshrc and the greyed-out system items Finder normally skips.
01Command
$ defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true && killall Finder02What it does
Finder hides Unix-style dot-files and certain system locations to protect them from casual edits. Toggling AppleShowAllFiles is the permanent equivalent of pressing Cmd-Shift-Period in a Finder window, which temporarily reveals hidden items. You will suddenly see .DS_Store files everywhere plus folders like /usr and /etc on the startup disk — expected, and mostly read-only. Turn it off again when done: deleting a hidden file you don't recognize can break app settings or the system.
03Risk
04Undo
$ defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool false && killall Finder05Sources
- defaults — read and write user defaults (macOS man page)Evidence: Documents defaults write to the com.apple.finder domain to change Finder behavior.
- See hidden files and folders on Mac — Apple SupportEvidence: Apple documents that some files are hidden by default and how users can reveal them (Cmd-Shift-.) in Finder.
Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: System & Settings
06Related solutions
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