Difference between revisions of "Find the Library Folder on a Mac"
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Starting in Mac OS 10.7 Lion, Apple hides the User Library folder to prevent accidental damage to system files. If you need to make changes to these files, there are several ways to reveal the Library folder again. Remember that the Library folder is for "behind the scenes" files only, not for storing documents. | Starting in Mac OS 10.7 Lion, Apple hides the User Library folder to prevent accidental damage to system files. If you need to make changes to these files, there are several ways to reveal the Library folder again. Remember that the Library folder is for "behind the scenes" files only, not for storing documents. | ||
| − | [[Category:Mac]] | + | [[Category: Mac]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Using the Go Menu=== | ===Using the Go Menu=== | ||
#Switch to Finder. Click the Finder icon in your dock, or click anywhere on your desktop. This will give you access to the Finder menus on the top bar. | #Switch to Finder. Click the Finder icon in your dock, or click anywhere on your desktop. This will give you access to the Finder menus on the top bar. | ||
| − | #*This method should work on any version of Mac OS X with a hidden Library. This includes 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks, 10.10 Yosemite, and 10.11 El Capitan.<ref>http://www.macworld.com/article/1161156/view_library_folder_in_lion.html</ref><ref>https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18928?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US</ref><ref>https://support.apple.com/kb/PH22036?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US</ref> | + | #*This method should work on any version of Mac OS X with a hidden Library. This includes 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks, 10.10 Yosemite, and 10.11 El Capitan.<ref name="rf1">http://www.macworld.com/article/1161156/view_library_folder_in_lion.html</ref><ref name="rf2">https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18928?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US</ref><ref name="rf3">https://support.apple.com/kb/PH22036?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US</ref> |
#Open the Go menu. Click {{button|Go}} in the top menu. Leave this menu open for the next step. | #Open the Go menu. Click {{button|Go}} in the top menu. Leave this menu open for the next step. | ||
#Hold down the Option key. While this key is held down, the Library option should appear in the Go menu. | #Hold down the Option key. While this key is held down, the Library option should appear in the Go menu. | ||
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===Revealing the Library Permanently (10.9 and Later)=== | ===Revealing the Library Permanently (10.9 and Later)=== | ||
| − | #Check your Mac OS version number. This method only works on Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks, 10.10 Yosemite, and 10.11 El Capitan.<ref>http://kecodoc.com/access-the-user-library-folder-in-mac-os-x/</ref><ref>http://www.macworld.com/article/2057221/how-to-view-the-library-folder-in-mavericks.html</ref> You can check your version number by clicking the apple icon in the left corner of the top menu, then selecting {{button|About this Mac}}. | + | #Check your Mac OS version number. This method only works on Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks, 10.10 Yosemite, and 10.11 El Capitan.<ref name="rf4">http://kecodoc.com/access-the-user-library-folder-in-mac-os-x/</ref><ref name="rf5">http://www.macworld.com/article/2057221/how-to-view-the-library-folder-in-mavericks.html</ref> You can check your version number by clicking the apple icon in the left corner of the top menu, then selecting {{button|About this Mac}}. |
#Navigate to the Home folder. Open a new folder in Finder, then click the image of a house on the left, named after your username. If this image is not there, click {{button|Go}} in the top menu and select {{button|Home}}. | #Navigate to the Home folder. Open a new folder in Finder, then click the image of a house on the left, named after your username. If this image is not there, click {{button|Go}} in the top menu and select {{button|Home}}. | ||
#Show View Options. While centered on this folder, select {{button|View}} → {{button|Show View Options}} from the top menu. | #Show View Options. While centered on this folder, select {{button|View}} → {{button|Show View Options}} from the top menu. | ||
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===Revealing the Library Permanently (10.7 and Later)=== | ===Revealing the Library Permanently (10.7 and Later)=== | ||
#Open Terminal. Open Applications → Utilities &rarr Terminal. From here you can show the Library in any version of Mac OS X from 10.7 onward. This method is most commonly used in 10.7 Lion and 10.8 Mountain Lion, which do not have access to the other permanent solution above. | #Open Terminal. Open Applications → Utilities &rarr Terminal. From here you can show the Library in any version of Mac OS X from 10.7 onward. This method is most commonly used in 10.7 Lion and 10.8 Mountain Lion, which do not have access to the other permanent solution above. | ||
| − | #Type in the command to show the Library. Type '''chflags nohidden ~/Library''' into the Terminal window, exactly as it appears.<ref>http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-reveal-your-library-folder-in-lion-or-mountain-lion--mac-31972</ref> | + | #Type in the command to show the Library. Type '''chflags nohidden ~/Library''' into the Terminal window, exactly as it appears.<ref name="rf6">http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-reveal-your-library-folder-in-lion-or-mountain-lion--mac-31972</ref> |
#Hit Enter. This command should take effect as soon as you hit Enter to submit the command. Visit your Home folder ("Home" in the Finder's Go menu) and look for Library. | #Hit Enter. This command should take effect as soon as you hit Enter to submit the command. Visit your Home folder ("Home" in the Finder's Go menu) and look for Library. | ||
#*If you change your mind, return to Terminal and enter '''chflags hidden ~/Library''' to hide it again. | #*If you change your mind, return to Terminal and enter '''chflags hidden ~/Library''' to hide it again. | ||
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
| − | *For most purposes you'll want the user Library described above, but your computer does have two additional Library folders. One is at the root level of your hard drive, and one is in the System folder.<ref | + | *For most purposes you'll want the user Library described above, but your computer does have two additional Library folders. One is at the root level of your hard drive, and one is in the System folder.<ref name="rf6" /> These hold computer-wide files, and are only visible to administrator accounts. Do not change their contents unless you know what you are doing. |
| − | *Installing a system update can hide a revealed Library again. Once you reveal it again, it should stay visible until the next update.<ref | + | *Installing a system update can hide a revealed Library again. Once you reveal it again, it should stay visible until the next update.<ref name="rf5" /> |
==Warnings== | ==Warnings== | ||
