If you want to make some files or folders disappear from sight, there are several methods you can use to hide files and folders on your Mac. This won’t encrypt the files, but it will make them invisible while browsing in Finder.
May 2, 2013 - We've discussed accessing hidden files and folders in Mac OS X before, but many users don't know that they can also create their own hidden. May 10, 2010 Create a Hidden Folder in Mac OS X. This walkthrough details how to both make the hidden folder, and then how to access it yourself in Mac OS. First let’s create the hidden folder, then we’ll access the secret folder on the Mac, and also show how to make it visible again if you change your mind. All of this relies on placing a period in front of the file name.
Hide the File with System Commands macOS offers a couple ways that allow experienced users to employ system functionality to hide files. They all involve Terminal in varying capacities. There are also behind a graphical interface if you’re not confident with the command line. Chflags hidden 3. Drag the file or folder you want to hide into the Terminal window. Once the path appears in the Terminal window, press “Enter” to set the hidden flag.
Remove the hidden flag with the same process, but change the command to chflags nohidden instead. Hide with a Period Files or folder names that start with a period (“.”) are automatically hidden in Finder. You can use Terminal to add a period to the beginning of any file or folder’s name, hiding the file from casual view. Open Terminal. Navigate to the folder containing the file you want to hide in Terminal using the cd command. Use the mv command to “move” the file you want to hide from its current name to one starting with a period, like so.
Setfile -a v file.txt Revealing Hidden Files in Finder Locking a door isn’t much good if you cannot also unlock it. There are two main ways to do it, and both will reveal all hidden files, regardless of the method used to hide them. Both have exactly the same effect, and the second one is typically easier to remember and execute on the fly. Of course, advanced users will know you can always see hidden files and folders in Terminal with ls -l. You can also employ Finder’s “Go to Folder” command to navigate directly into a hidden folder, provided you know the exact path. With Terminal 1. Run the command below in Terminal to reveal all hidden files.
Defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE; killall Finder With Finder 1. Open a Finder window and press Command + Shift + Period. This will reveal all hidden files. Hide files again by pressing the same key command: Command + Shift + Period.
Hiding in System Folders You can also hide files by putting them in system folders. This is the kind of trick you might use to hide adult materials from a snooping parent, but it is effective nonetheless. By default, the Library folder is hidden on macOS. This makes it a useful place to stow files, and they’ll be easily accessible. Click on the “Go” menu in Finder. Hold down the “Option” key to reveal the “Library” menu option. Click on “Library” to navigate to the folder.
Create a new folder within the Library folder and name it whatever you’d like. Place your sensitive files inside that directory. For extra security, you can layer your hidden directory inside multiple cryptically-named folders.
Be careful about hiding it inside folders actively used by applications, however. Dropping random files in to “Library/Application Support” might have unexpected consequences. Conclusion These techniques will only hide files from the most novice of computer users. If you’re sick of a friend or family member casually digging around in your stuff, this kind of protection is probably sufficient.
But be aware that these techniques offer you zero protection against a serious attempt by a trained professional or even knowledgeable amateur. Don’t forget that you can also.
![Mac keyboard shortcut hidden files Mac keyboard shortcut hidden files](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125449998/392448727.jpg)
Sponsored Links What looks like a simple system from outside can be the most complicated one from inside. This has happened with Apple’s Mac; for any user, it can be a simple computer to operate externally. But internally, there can be a coil of files and folders that can bewilder even a seasoned Mac user.
If you think that Apple should simplify everything (like this coil), I would say that let there be confusion or complexity. Because Apple wants you to stay away from this so that you can smoothly operate the Mac. Sponsored Links Apple keeps some files as hidden in its Mac OS X so that nobody can tamper with those important data stored in the hidden files. As a matter of fact, this “secret treasure” should not be located by any intruder (read new user.) As a Mac owner, if you want to show those hidden files in Mac OS X, here is a method. Mac Terminal is one of the most popular apps used and eulogized by experts.
![Create Hidden Folder Mac Create Hidden Folder Mac](http://cdn.osxdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/os-x-yosemite-folder-icons-blue-287x300.jpg)
This app allows you to control Mac OS X by using the command line to enter Unix commands. In a way, Terminal works as car bonnet, which you can open and check entire engine. The app helps you open Mac OS X and take a look what is happening there. Here is how to use Mac Terminal. Sponsored Links Post this, a Finder window on desktop may be vanished and then reappear. When the Finder reappears, you can see hidden folders.
Your Home folder would look like this (see below) in the Finder window. With first line, setting inside AppleShowAllFiles preferences will be changed; set it to YES. Killall, though it sounds terrifying, will quit and relaunch Finder. To restart Finder, you can select Option + Control and click the Finder icon in Dock; now select Relaunch.
How to Hide Files in Mac Using Terminal Now, if you want to send these Hidden files back to their native place, here is a simple solution. All you need to do is to repeat the above command by adding just one word: NO at the end. Remember, you must match the case. Defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles NO killall Finder Hidden files of Mac OS X Finder should be disappeared post this command. If you require accessing hidden files frequently, you can use a few shareware apps that will program the entire procedure.