I have covered over my username in the screenshot, but the path is : Once you know the path to the folder (by following the previous method), you can then use the path to go directly to the Library folder.Īt the top of the Library folder, you will see the exact path (location) of the folder on your computer. As soon as you take your finger off the alt key, the Library folder will disappear again. The problem though with this method is that this is very temporary. The Library folder will now appear.Ĭlick on the Library folder option to be taken straight to the folder. To make the Library folder appear, press the “ Alt” key (also known as the Option key) at the bottom left of your keyboard. You’ll see that the Library folder is not listed. Go to Finder and drop down the “ Go” menu. But the second way is only really feasible when you know where to look. There are two ways to get to the hidden Library folder if you are confident enough of not triggering a nuclear apocalypse.
So you could say that Apple is protecting you against your own worst impulses! How To Find The Hidden Library Folder On MacOS It’s only when it’s too late when they realise that something they just deleted should have been kept. It’s hidden because basically some people are just plain clumsy and quite often don’t know what they are deleting. This can be anything from plugins, preference files and log files.
When you install a program, a folder is created in the Library for all of the essential settings. The library folder is the area of your MacOS computer where app settings are stored.
Here is how to get there and not cause your Mac to collapse in a cloud of dust in the process. The User Library folder is hidden by default in MacOS Catalina, MacOS Mojave, macOS High Sierra, and macOS Sierra, but some advanced users may wish to show and access the /Library/ folder, which contains preference files, caches, and application support data. It is the folder that stores settings and information for various apps, among other things, and is the one that we will be revealing in this tutorial. The Library folder under each account user name (the /Library) is, by default, invisible in Lion and Mountain Lion versions of OS X. You may need to access the Library folder when you need to clear cache, remove the app’s leftovers, edit preference files manually, etc. Despite the fact that Apple keeps the Mac Library folder hidden from users, it’s good to learn how to show the Library folder on Mac. Access the Library folder directly through the Terminal: Click the Spotlight Search. Access the Library folder in Finder: In Finder, choose Go Go To Folder In the Go To The Folder field, enter /library/ Click Go. You can access the Library folder with the Go To Folder command or from the Terminal app.
Some troubleshooting procedures require you to navigate to and view a hidden folder on Mac. Or you might be customising your Mac, which will need access to certain library folders. For example, many apps put backups in the Library folder and you may want to back up the backup. Deleting some or all of these settings will at best force you to reinstall certain apps, and at worst, cause the whole system to collapse and require a complete reinstall.īut there may be times when accessing the Library folder is necessary.
Just like the Windows operating system, the MacOS operating system has a hidden Library folder full of settings you shouldn’t really touch.