macOS defaults

Appearance

Show hidden files ​

Show hidden files in the Finder. You can toggle the value using ⌘ cmd+⇧ shift+..

  • Tested on macOS:
    • Sonoma
    • Ventura
    • Monterey
    • Big Sur
    • Catalina
  • Parameter type: bool

Set to false (default value) ​

Do not show hidden files inside the Finder

bash
defaults write com.apple.finder "AppleShowAllFiles" -bool "false" && killall Finder

Example output with value set to false

Set to true ​

Show hidden files inside the Finder

bash
defaults write com.apple.finder "AppleShowAllFiles" -bool "true" && killall Finder

Example output with value set to true

Read current value ​

bash
defaults read com.apple.finder "AppleShowAllFiles"

Reset to default value ​

bash
defaults delete com.apple.finder "AppleShowAllFiles" && killall Finder