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 operating system's hidden parts, access private folders, and do other things 99% of Mac users can't. Now, let's break some rules.
Access private folders on a Mac (Library)
This folder contains apps, including Mail, Calendar, Safari, and many others.
- If the dialog box does not show a folder or folders on your computer, click On My Mac. If you see the Online Locations button, the dialog box is currently displaying a folder on your computer. Navigate to the folder on your computer where you want to save the file.
- Hide Folders is a freeware app dedicated to hide files and folders on the Mac. It's optimized for 64-bit compatibility and it works with all modern Macs running macOS.
Since 2011 the Library folder was closed from regular access. Not only was this a security risk from cyber-attacks and viruses, but people could also 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 regularly.
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 reason you need access to the Library, I suggest eliminating it with CleanMyMac first. I have used it to clean my drive in the past, 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.
Access private folders on a Mac (Library)
This folder contains apps, including Mail, Calendar, Safari, and many others.
- If the dialog box does not show a folder or folders on your computer, click On My Mac. If you see the Online Locations button, the dialog box is currently displaying a folder on your computer. Navigate to the folder on your computer where you want to save the file.
- Hide Folders is a freeware app dedicated to hide files and folders on the Mac. It's optimized for 64-bit compatibility and it works with all modern Macs running macOS.
Since 2011 the Library folder was closed from regular access. Not only was this a security risk from cyber-attacks and viruses, but people could also 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 regularly.
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 reason you need access to the Library, I suggest eliminating it with CleanMyMac first. I have used it to clean my drive in the past, 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, we recommend going this route to 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 Library access.
AutoSave is a different feature which automatically saves your file as you work - just like if you save the file manually - so that you don't have to worry about saving on the go. On the Mac, AutoSave is available in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 for Mac subscribers. When AutoSave is turned on AutoRecover files are rarely needed. Start quickly with the most recent versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive —combining the familiarity of Office and the unique Mac features you love. Work online or offline, on your own or with others in real time—whatever works for what you're doing. Mac OS X & macOS names. As you can see from the list above, with the exception of the first OS X beta, all versions of the Mac operating system from 2001 to 2012 were all named after big cats. Ms office for mac os. For the best performance, use the latest version of the Windows or Mac operating system for your version of Office as follows: PC: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Check the system requirements for the latest.
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 the Option key while you are in the 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. 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.
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(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.
#3: Unhide any private folder instantly
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 the Shift + Command + Period again.
Private Folder App For Macbook
#4: How else to see hidden space on Mac?
My Mac Folder
Now, if space and 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.
Private Folder App For Mac Windows 10
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!
