Show Hidden Finder Link »

How to Show Hidden Finder Files, Folders, and Path Links on macOS

Enter the keyboard shortcut.

If the keyboard shortcut ( Cmd + Shift + . ) fails to persist across system reboots or you prefer a permanent terminal configuration rule, you can use the system defaults write engine. Step-by-Step Instructions: Open the app.

When navigating deep within subfolders, it is easy to lose track of where a file sits structurally. Finder features a hidden navigational link system called the Path Bar. This bar sits at the bottom of your window and shows the exact breadcrumb trail of your current directory. Open any window. Click on View in the top menu bar. Click Show Path Bar .

However, third-party applications like Funter can add exactly this functionality as a menu bar icon or preference pane, bridging the gap for users who want convenience without Terminal complexity.

hidden links system‑wide (not recommended, but possible)

Are you trying to create a or alias to a hidden folder?

xattr -l /path/to/link

You’ve searched for —and you’ve landed in the right place.

Investigators reconstruct file access timelines by examining hidden metadata files like .DS_Store , which store folder view preferences and can inadvertently reveal user activity trails.