Ever since Lion (OS X 10.7), Apple has hidden your personal Library folder (/Library) by default. In Lion and Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8), you could make the folder visible, but it required some work. How to Show Hidden Files on Mac. We explain how to show hidden files on your Mac, including how to view the Library folder in Finder. Where is my Mac's Library folder? Prior to Mac OS X Lion's.
Just like the Windows operating system, the MacOS operating system has a hidden Library folder full of settings you shouldn’t really touch. 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.
But there may be times when accessing the Library folder is necessary. For example, many apps put backups in the Library folder and you may want to back up the backup. Or you might be customising your Mac, which will need access to certain library folders.
Here is how to get there and not cause your Mac to collapse in a cloud of dust in the process.
What Is The Library Folder On MacOS?
Show Library Folder Mac Sierra
The library folder is the area of your MacOS computer where app settings are stored. When you install a program, a folder is created in the Library for all of the essential settings. This can be anything from plugins, preference files and log files.
It’s hidden because basically some people are just plain clumsy and quite often don’t know what they are deleting. It’s only when it’s too late when they realise that something they just deleted should have been kept.
So you could say that Apple is protecting you against your own worst impulses!
How To Find The Hidden Library Folder On MacOS
There are two ways to get to the hidden Library folder if you are confident enough of not triggering a nuclear apocalypse. But the second way is only really feasible when you know where to look.
First Method (The Easiest)
Go to Finder and drop down the “Go” menu. You’ll see that the Library folder is not listed.
To make the Library folder appear, press the “Alt” key (also known as the Option key) at the bottom left of your keyboard. The Library folder will now appear.
Click on the Library folder option to be taken straight to the folder.
The problem though with this method is that this is very temporary. As soon as you take your finger off the alt key, the Library folder will disappear again.
Second Method (Not Difficult)
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.
At the top of the Library folder, you will see the exact path (location) of the folder on your computer.
I have covered over my username in the screenshot, but the path is :
With that in mind, go back to Finder’s Go menu and at the bottom, you’ll see this option :
Choosing “Go to Folder” will bring up a box where you can type the path to the Library folder. Hitting the “enter” key will then take you straight there.
Even better, until you input the path to a different folder, the path to the Library will remain in the “Go to Folder” box.
When it is gone, dropping down the menu arrow on the right hand side will show you a list of previous folders you went to, and the Library one will be there too.
Conclusion
There used to be a way to keep the Library folder showing permanently. But as of High Sierra, the Terminal command no longer seems to work.
However, keeping the folder permanently visible isn’t a good idea since you might delete a system-critical file. Besides, as you have just seen, it is not difficult at all to go to the folder when you need it.
How do I show the Library folder on Mac OS?
How do I open the hidden Library folder in Mac OS X?
I don't see the Library folder in Mac OS.
I can't find the Library folder in Mac OS X.
I can't access the Library folder to remove Webex files.
Solution:
The Library folder is hidden by default. If it may be necessary to access files within the Library to perform Webex related troubleshooting.
Use one of the methods below to display the library folder:
Temporarily display the Library folder
- Method 1:
- In Finder (the desktop screen), click on the Go menu, then select Go to Folder....
The 'Go to Folder' window appears. - Type ~/Library and then press the Go button.
- In Finder (the desktop screen), click on the Go menu, then select Go to Folder....
- Method 2:
- In Finder (the desktop screen), click on the Go menu, then press the Option or Alt key on the keyboard.
The Library entry will appear on the Go menu. - Click on the Library entry.
- In Finder (the desktop screen), click on the Go menu, then press the Option or Alt key on the keyboard.
Permanently display the Library folder
Show Library Folder Macos
- Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
A Terminal window appears. - Type the following command chflags nohidden ~/Library and press enter.