How to hide, display files and folders on macOS

To be able to hide or show the folder again on macOS, the user is forced to use a 3rd party application or use a command on the Terminal.

In order to limit secret directories, individuals are opened, we can hide folders or any other data. On macOS, if you want to hide the folder, or the user file must use the third-party application, Command One, or use the Terminal command. In the article below, we will guide you how to hide and display the folder and data on macOS.

1. How to re-display hidden files on macOS:

Step 1:

First of all, we open the Terminal application on macOS. You can follow the LaundPad> Other> Terminal link , or enter the Terminal keyword into the Spotlight Search search box.

Picture 1 of How to hide, display files and folders on macOS

Step 2:

Then enter the following 2 lines of code and end each line with Return.

  1. defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
  2. killall Finder

Or use the 2nd set of commands below.

  1. defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
  2. killall Finder

Picture 2 of How to hide, display files and folders on macOS

If the second command line group does not work, we need to start the Finder. Click and hold on the Option + Control key combination, then click the Finder icon in the Dock bar and then press Relaunch.

Picture 3 of How to hide, display files and folders on macOS

Step 3:

After entering the above commands, exit the Terminal window. We open the Finder and then see the previously hidden files.

Picture 4 of How to hide, display files and folders on macOS

2. How to hide macOS files via Terminal:

Step 1:

We also need to open Terminal to enter commands for hiding folders and files on the system. Then choose to enter 1 of the 2 command lines below into the Terminal window.

  1. defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles NO
  2. killall Finder

Or use the second command group below.

  1. defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE
  2. killall Finder

Picture 5 of How to hide, display files and folders on macOS

Step 2:

After that, the folder you want to hide does not appear.

Picture 6 of How to hide, display files and folders on macOS

3. How to hide a separate file or folder:

Step 1:

To be able to hide a file or folder, open the Terminal application and enter the command line below.

  1. chflags hidden

Then open the file you want to hide on macOS, then drag and drop the file after the hidden chflags command . Note to the user , after the hidden, there should be a space to drag and drop the file you want to hide.

Picture 7 of How to hide, display files and folders on macOS

Step 2:

Soon, you will see the folder containing the hidden file that appears on the Terminal interface. Press Return to run this command. If you still don't see the hidden folder, continue to click killall Finder in Terminal and press Return.

Picture 8 of How to hide, display files and folders on macOS

4. Reveal separate files and folders:

How to display hidden folders or files is done the same way as when hiding them. You also need to open Terminal and enter the command below.

  1. chflags nohidden

Then enter the directory path, or the file you want to show up behind the nohidden text and include the space.

Picture 9 of How to hide, display files and folders on macOS

Above is how to hide folders, files or choose to hide separate folders with the path attached. How to hide and show hidden files on macOS is quite complicated, so please enter the correct commands and attached characters.

I wish you all success!

Update 25 May 2019
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