Access Library Folder On Mac
May 24, 2016 OK, I've reset all keyboard shortcuts default in system preferences and now I can view the LIBRARY by pressing and holding the. ALT ⌥ (Option) Key, and then clicking on 'Go' in the finder menu. However with the LIBRARY folder highlighted, when I go to it still does not have the 'Show Library Folder' box so I can check/tick it? CMD+SHIFT H just takes me to my HOME page. Some troubleshooting procedures require you to navigate to and view a hidden folder on Mac. You can access the Library folder with the Go To Folder command or from the Terminal app. Access the Library folder in Finder: In Finder, choose Go Go To Folder In the Go To The Folder field, enter /library/ Click Go. Access the Library folder directly through the Terminal: Click the Spotlight Search.
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For most people, not having access to the Library is not a problem. Most of us don't need this level of access. But for some, it’s useful — even essential — so not having access can cause a problem. Not only that, but for those who've suffered any kind of malware, ransomware, adware or other infection, gaining access to the Library is the most effective way of forever eradicating a serious problem that has infected your Mac.
In this article, we cover how you can gain access to your Library folder.
How to access the Mac Library folder?
Although this skill isn’t essential for everyone, some power users need to know how to find Library on a Mac. If you want, you can even show the Library folder in a Mac permanently, so that you never need to wonder where it is and why you can’t access it.
The Library folder, also known as a directory, has long-since been a go-to location for Mac users when an application is misbehaving. It is often easier to go to the source of a problem and fix it directly than attempt to troubleshoot an issue. Before you do that, you need to access this hidden directory.
There are a couple of ways to make this visible, whether or not you want this to be permanent or only visible as needed.
To make this change permanent, follow these instructions:
Finding Library via Terminal
- Launch Terminal, which you can find in /Applications/Utilities
- Enter the following command in Terminal:
chflags nohidden ~/Library. What this does is change the flag visibility to on, thereby making Library a visible folder instead of one that is hidden. - Click Return
- Quit Terminal
- Now Library should be visible in Finder and should sit alongside other folders and files.
- If you ever want to undo this change, use Terminal to input this command:
chflags hidden ~/Library- to hide the Library again.
The path Apple recommends
Another way to make Library visible, although not permanently visible, is to follow another set of instructions that Apple recommends.
Apple prefers people not make regular use of Terminal. There is too much of a risk that something unexpected and fairly catastrophic could go wrong. Plus, making the Library permanently visible could have the same impact. So taking the “Apple recommended” approach means that Library will only appear as long as you keep the Finder window for the Library folder open.
Here is how you can temporarily view files in the Mac Library:
- Either within Desktop or with a Finder window open, hold down the Option key and select the Go menu;
- The Library will be listed as one of the items in the Go menu;
- Double-click on Library, which will open a Finder window containing the contents of the Library folder;
- Once you close that window, the Library folder will be hidden again. This method is only temporary, designed to give you immediate access.
Another similar method, for anyone using macOS Mavericks or later, is to follow these steps to view the Library:
- Open a Finder window
- Click View > Show View Options
- Place a checkmark in a box to Show Library Folder
Now you should be able to access and open the Library folder on a Mac with ease and to do this whenever you need.
How to reveal hidden folders:
Use Shift + Command + Period key shortcut to see hidden folders in your Documents. They will appear grayed out compared to the regular folders.
How to peek underneath your macOS
Some system folders and apps are deliberately hidden from view. Besides Finder and Terminal there is an easier way to look under the hood of your Mac. Apps like CleanMyMac X will show you the entire storage structure of your computer. What for? Because this way you can find your forgotten folders and find what's wasting the most space.
Here is an interactive storage map I made for my Mac using the Space Lens tool in CleanMyMac X.
You can download this app for free — and make your own storage map.
Once you install the app, click Space Lens in the sidebar.
Those bubbles have different sizes — depending on the folder size. You can click these folders and explore them deeper. Using this method you can find folders that 'slipped through the cracks', for example, old backups or documents. Cool way to learn more about your Mac and free up space at the same time!
Look at the screenshot, the Library folder is also there:
Okay. Hope you found your Library folder and learned something new about your Mac. Stay tuned for more Mac tips.
Some parts of your macOS are closed to visitors. Every new macOS update makes it harder for ordinary users to manipulate system-critical components. But 'harder' doesn't mean impossible. With tips we've laid out in this article you can get into the hidden parts of the operating system, access private folders, and do other things 99% of Mac users can't. Now, let's go break some rules.
But rest assured, regardless of your version of OS X, your personal Library folder is right where it’s always been, at the root level of your Home folder. It’s just that, starting in Lion, and continuing in Mountain Lion, Mavericks, and Yosemite, Apple has made the folder invisible. To find your hidden Home/Library folder, do this: Hold down the Option key on your keyboard. Click the Go menu. The (formerly) invisible Library folder appears in the Go menu as long as the Option key is pressed. Select Library and release the mouse button. Show library folder mac yosemite.
Access private folders on a Mac (Library)
How To Access Hidden Library Folder On Mac
Since 2011 the Library folder was closed from regular access. Not only was this a security risk from cyber attacks and viruses, people could too easily alter settings that proved important, and therefore, difficult to fix. However, this Library folder often proves an invaluable source of troubleshooting for those who are confident and comfortable accessing the app files contained within.
For Mac power users, you may have heard the expression to “Delete the application's plist”, which is only something you can do with access to the Library folder. If you've never heard of this before, you might have been lucky with the applications you've been using. The Library folder is also a useful place to make customizable tweaks and changes to applications and programs you use on a regular basis.
There are a few ways to transfer your iTunes library from one computer to another: When you get a new Mac, use Setup Assistant (or Migration Assistant, if you’re switching from Windows) to move files—including your iTunes files—from your old computer to the new one. See the Apple Support article Back up and restore your iTunes Library.
So if this sounds like something you need access to, we outline three ways we recommend to gain access.
Before you do that: are you trying to access some infected folder or a suspicious app? If that is one of the reasons you need access to the Library, I suggest to eliminate it with CleanMyMac first. In the past I have used it to clean my drive and it got rid of a nasty trojan virus in my system folders. Give it a try here — a link to download a free edition.
Pro Tip: This app also detects private Large & Old folders on your Mac, those rarely visited by you.
Now, if you want to make space and improve the performance of apps manually, here are the three ways you can access the Library
#1: Make the Library permanently visible
Before you try this, are you familiar with the Terminal? It's not that scary as it looks.
If you are, then we recommend going this route as it will provide permanent uncovered access to the Library. It will save you a whole load of time if you want and need 24/7 access. But only do this if you are perfectly comfortable and familiar using the Terminal. Making mistakes within Terminal can break things and cause problems that you would rather not have, which is the same for anyone who needs access to Library.
Here is how you make the Library visible all of the time:
(1) Launch Terminal, which you can find in /Applications/Utilities
(2) Enter this command in Terminal: chflags nohidden ~/Library
(3) Click Return. Make sure the command is executed.
(4) Quit Terminal. Library should be visible in the Finder > Go menu
If you ever want to restore this to how it was before enter the following command in Terminal: chflags hidden ~/Library
Click Return again and it should be back to how it was.
If you still don't see the Library, try pressing Option key while you are in Finder > Go menu.
#2: Temporarily unhide the Library
As we mentioned, the use of Terminal — and Library — can cause things to break unexpectedly, which might mean involving an Apple specialist to fix an unexpected problem. So whenever possible, Apple prefers people to do things the way they suggest and there is a suggested Apple way to make the Library visible, albeit temporarily.
(1) Either using Desktop or the Finder Menu, hold down the option key and select the Go menu.
(2) Library should show up in the Go menu
(3) Double-click on Library, which will open a Finder window containing the contents of that folder;
(4) Once you close that window, the Library folder will be hidden again.
How To Access Library Folder On Mac
#3: Unhide any private folder instantly
Access Library Folder Mac Mojave
Luckily, macOS developers provided a shortcut to access private folders on Mac. Be careful with that one as you may delete something critically important (no wonder they hid it).
Press Shift+ Command + Period (a key for period character)
Did it work? Now you can browse the transparent folders, hopefully, you'll find what you're looking for. To undo this option, press Shift + Command + Period again.
Show Library Folder Mac Os
#4: How else to see hidden space on Mac?
Now, if space and the performance issues are troubling you, there is a better way of getting under the hood than accessing a private folder on Mac. Using external tools like CleanMyMac X you can quickly spot what is going on in your Mac. For example the mentioned app has the Space Lens feature. What it does is builds a visual map of your storage so you can zoom in/out and enter any folder you want. It will show you what is taking up so much room. It also shows folders you normally don't have access to.
I downloaded the app's free edition here.
How To Access Library Folder On Mac El Capitan
Once you’ve got this information, you can safely delete anything you don't need and go to unexplored places on your Mac. Stay tuned!