- Mac Download Folder
- Apple Download Folder
- Open Download Folder Mac
- How To Find Downloads On Mac
- Mac Download Folder Missing
Let's face it. Everyone has a secret, and so does your Mac. Thousands of them are in the form of hidden files and folders stored in the ~/Library folder in your User folder. These files hold information like app preferences, etc.
- By default, Mac's Dock has the Downloads folder, next to the Trash icon. However, if you have accidentally (or even intentionally) removed it from the Dock and are finding it harder to access the downloaded files, don't worry! Here are the two straightforward ways to restore the missing Downloads folder on Mac.
- Citrix Receiver for Mac product software. Citrix Workspace App Workspace app for Mac Subscribe to RSS notifications of new downloads.
- In all Mac computers, the Downloads folder is located in the Home directory where it is aptly named the same, Downloads.
But how can we view hidden files on macOS X?
Now open the Mac App Store app and you'll see a new Debug menu (see screenshot). Click the 'Show Download Folder' menu and it will open the location of the download folder inside Finder where the Mac apps are temporarily download. You can find the.pkg files inside one of the sub folders that you copy to your other Mac systems via Airdrop.
There's hope, and in this article, we will talk about ways to see all hidden files on Mac and make the Library folder visible.
What are Hidden Files on Mac?
Hidden files on Mac are a throwback to macOS' Unix roots. Generally, files starting with '.' are hidden. Due to this, Mac doesn't allow placing a ‘.' at the beginning of a file name.
These hidden files contain data like preferences, application support files, privileges folders, and more.
Mac Download Folder
Why are the files hidden on Mac?
Due to several reasons, files and folders on Mac are hidden. They are listed as below:
- They contain crucial data important for working for macOS.
- If they are visible, your Mac might look cluttered.
- No reason for users to view them
How to View Hidden File on Mac?
Before you learn how to see hidden files on Mac, remember there are reasons for hiding files on Mac.
The information they contain is essential, and making any changes or deleting them can make Mac behave weirdly.
For example, if you want to view the ~/Library folder & delete application support files for uninstalled applications, consider using Disk Clean Pro. This nifty Mac optimizer and cleaner will remove all unwanted application support files. Just click via One Click Care.
To download Disk Clean Pro, click here.
This cleanup tool for Mac is available at Mac App Store and is thoroughly tested and trusted. Using it, you can clean junk files, system log files, cache files, partial download, organize files on Mac, and do a lot more.
To know more about this tool, read the complete review.
In addition to this, you can recover gigabytes of disk space and can get rid of not enough storage space.
However, if you are not satisfied with it and would like to view the hidden files Mac app. Here's how you can see all files hidden on Mac.
Way 1: Mac Finder Showing Hidden Files
Follow the steps below to view hidden files in Finder on Mac:
Apple Download Folder
- Open Finder window
- Now in the left bar, click the name of your Mac under ‘Devices.'
- Select and click the startup drive. By default, it reads as Macintosh HD.
- Next, press Command +Shift +.(period) key. You will now be able to see several files with '.'
- To hide them again, hold down Command + Shift +. (period).
Note: To unhide and see hidden files in the Documents or Applications folder, you can use the same key combination i.e., Command+Shift+.
However, if you know what file type you are looking for in the ~/Library folder, follow the steps below:
1. Open Finder, press the Alt key, and click Go.
2. Click Library to open, normally hidden, folder
You'll now see the most cluttered Mac desktop. Most of the unhidden files are system files and autosaved Microsoft Word documents. This finder showing hidden files sometimes helps users find those files that they thought were lost forever.
Read Also: 'Other' On Mac Storage And How To Remove It
Way 2: Unhide Files On Mac With Terminal Commands
Like the command prompt in Windows, we have a Terminal, command-line interface in Mac. Using it and a set of commands, you can easily show hidden files on Mojave and hide files. Unlike Finder, where you need to follow a series of complex instructions, using the Terminal command is easy.
If you know about Terminal and are conformable using it, here is the list of commands to show hidden files Mac app:
- Launch Terminal
- Here, copy-paste the following command
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true [Press Return] killall Finder
Note: The parameter True shows hidden files, whereas when you change it to false, it will again hide the files.
You'll now see the most cluttered Mac desktop. Most of the unhidden files are system files and autosaved Microsoft Word documents. This finder showing hidden files sometimes helps users find those files that they thought were lost forever.
Read Also: 'Other' On Mac Storage And How To Remove It
Way 2: Unhide Files On Mac With Terminal Commands
Like the command prompt in Windows, we have a Terminal, command-line interface in Mac. Using it and a set of commands, you can easily show hidden files on Mojave and hide files. Unlike Finder, where you need to follow a series of complex instructions, using the Terminal command is easy.
If you know about Terminal and are conformable using it, here is the list of commands to show hidden files Mac app:
- Launch Terminal
- Here, copy-paste the following command
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true [Press Return] killall Finder
Note: The parameter True shows hidden files, whereas when you change it to false, it will again hide the files.
The method you chose doesn't matter because both will help view all hidden files. If you select a finder to show hidden files, you will have to follow complex steps. While using the Terminal command is simple, and it quickly helps with OS X show hidden files.
Moreover, using Terminal, you can show all hidden files or folders on your Mac. This is a great way to view password protected .rar on your desktop!
Read Also: Uninstaller for Mac to Remove Apps Completely
Way 3: View Hidden files using chflags hidden command on Mojave
However, if you want to see all hidden files on Mac follow the steps below:
1. Launch Terminal
2. Copy-paste the following command: chflags hidden
Note: Make sure there's a space between the command and the parameter
3. Drag files or folders into the Terminal that you want to hide from Finder. You will now see the file and folder paths in Terminal.
4. To hide, press Return.
By using these simple sets of instructions, you can hide files. To view hidden files, change the parameter from nohidden. You will now see all the hidden files on Mac.
While using this method, always remember anyone who knows this trick can also use the same command to unhide files.
This is all using these simple methods; you can show hidden files on Mac. Furthermore, if your motive to see hidden files is to remove junk files, we have an easy way.
Cleaning Hidden Junk Files Automatically
Generally, Mac users look for ways to view hidden files because they want to recover some additional gigabytes. But if they can clean up these useless hidden files without much ado then?
You read it right using an excellent tool like Disk Clean Pro; you can quickly recover hard disk space and clean up your Mac.
To use this fantastic tool, follow the steps below:
1. Download & install Disk Clean Pro
Open Download Folder Mac
2. Launch the app and click Start System Scan
3. Let the scan finish. You'll now see all the junk files.
4. Hit Clean Now to get rid of this unwanted data.
Tada! This is it. Using these simple steps and Terminal commands, you can view hidden files on Mac. Moreover, you can show hidden files on Mac to your friend and be popular.
Read Also:Delete Downloaded Files And Folders
Frequently Asked Question
Q1. How Do I Manage Files On A Mac?
Files on Mac can be managed both manually and automatically. To manage files manually, select items by pressing and holding the Command key. Next, press the Control key > choose New Folder with Selection. That's it. You can now place the files in the selected folder.
Alternatively, you can use Disk Clean Pro to organize and manage files. In addition to this, to arrange files on the desktop. Click desktop, choose view > Sort By, then choose from the list of options. You can now arrange the files.
Q2. How Do You Make Hidden Files Unhidden On A Mac?
The easiest way to unhide a file on Mac is to use the Terminal command. To do so, launch Terminal and run the following command: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE killall Finder.
This way, you can see hidden files in Finder.
Additionally, you can also type chflags nohidden Mac cosmetics punk couture. with a space between command and nohidden. You can now unhide a file or a folder.
Q3. Where Are Hidden Files On Mac?
In the Finder, open your Macintosh HD folder. Press Command+Shift+Dot. You will now be able to see hidden files.
7 Responses
Summary : This blog offers one of the best solutions for resolving a flashing question mark (?) folder problem on Mac screen.
And while you deal with this problem, you may face data loss situation due to corruption or inaccessible media. So, we also cover along data recovery solution for Mac hard drives.
Do you know Stellar Data Recovery Professional recovers data from a non-booting Mac as well? Free download to know more.
When I turned on my MacBook Pro, a flashing folder with a question mark came on the screen. That stayed there for a few seconds, but the Mac booted later on. Is there an issue with my MacBook Pro? Any suggestions…
Yesterday, after I turned on my MacBook Air, it displayed a flashing folder with a question mark. It didn't boot so I had to force shut down. Then on, I didn't start the MacBook. I don't know what's going on. Any clues on how to fix this?
In this blog, we will help you resolve the problem of ‘flashing folder with a question mark sign' on your MacBook or iMac. And while you deal with this problem, you may come across the possibilities of data loss due to corruption or inaccessible media. So, we also cover along data recovery solution for Mac hard drives.
Let's begin with the reasons for— why your Mac is flashing a question mark folder?
Flashing folder with a question mark (?) errormay occur if the Mac cannot detect its boot directory. This can happen in the following situations:
- Mac cannot find the Startup Disk i.e. Macintosh HD
- The macOS is corrupt
How to Repair Mac Flashing Question Mark Folder?
Following are the scenarios you would face in the ‘MacBook flashing folder question mark' situation, along with the solutions you can use to tackle them:
Case 1: When MacBook displays the error for a few seconds but boots
Step 1: Go to Apple menu > SystemPreferences > StartupDisk. Mac burnt orange lipstick.
Step 2: Click the icon of the Startup Disk that is generally named as MacintoshHD.
Step 3: Click Restart; your Mac won't display flashing folder with question mark again
Case 2: When MacBook displays the error but does not boot.
A) Force Shutdown and Enter macOS Recovery Mode
Step 1: Press & hold the power button for a few seconds to force shut down the MacBook.
Step 2: Power on the Mac and immediately press & hold Command + R keys until Apple logo, spinning globe, or firmware password prompt appears.
a) When prompted, select a Wi-Fi network. You've entered into macOS recovery mode.
Step 3: When macOS Utilities appears, go to Apple menu > StartupDisk.
Step 4:Click the Startup Disk (Macintosh HD), and then click Restart.
If the Startup Disk icon is not visible in the Startup Disk window, then likely the Startup Disk is facing a problem. Try repairing it with First Aid, as follow:
B) Repair Startup Disk
Step 1: In the macOS recovery mode, go to macOS Utilities and click DiskUtility.
Step 2: From the left pane, select the Startup Disk (MacintoshHD).
Step 3: Click the First Aid tab and then click the RepairDisk button.
Step 4: Exit DiskUtility once the repair process is over.
Step 5: Go to Apple menu > Startup Disk then select the Startup Disk (Macintosh HD) and Restart.
If the Startup Disk is still not visible after repair, then you would need to reinstall macOS to solve the ‘Flashing Folder with a Question Mark' problem.
Also Read: 8 Best Ways to Recover a Failed Internal Mac Hard Drive
C) Recover Data from macOS
Step 1: Back up the MacBook data [critical step]
This is critically important because if you reinstall the OS without first backing up the data, it will result in data loss due to overwriting. So, back up the data present in the Startup Disk to another functional Mac (Target Disk Mode), as follows:
Step I. Connect the Mac that has flashing question mark to another Mac via Target Disk Mode.
Step II. Easily get the Stellar's data recovery software from the below:
Step III. Install Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac on the working Mac.
Step IV. Launch the tool, and from the main interface, select RecoverData.
Step V. Select the type of data and the location of the flashing question mark drive.
Step VI. Click Scan after you turn on the DeepScan feature for rigorous searching.
Step VII. Click Recover, and on the dialog box, specify the save location and click Save. The ‘save' location can be the working Mac's internal drive if it has sufficient space or else another external drive.
For quick walkthrough on how to use the software for MacBook data backup, see the following video:
Step2: macOS Reinstallation
Afterthe data stored on the HD – having flashing question mark folder problem – isbacked up, proceed with reinstalling macOS, as follows:
- In the macOS Recovery mode, go to macOS Utilities and click Reinstall macOS.
- Click Continue then select Macintosh HD (Note: You have already done the Mac data recovery to an external storage drive.)
- Erase Macintosh HD and execute the on-screen steps to reinstall macOS. Once the installation is over, Mac automatically restarts and boots from the Startup Disk.
- In Setup Assistant, migrate your data from the source disk (i.e. external storage/HD of the functional Mac) to the internal Mac drive.
Note: When Disk Utility does not show the Startup Disk or cannot repair it, then the storage drive has hardware problems. Contact a Mac repair service provider in this scenario.
Conclusion
How To Find Downloads On Mac
The article elaborated various methodsto repair flashing question mark folder screen on Mac. The first case occurs when your Mac shows a flashing folder with a question mark for a few seconds. In this case, you reselect the Startup Disk fromsystem preferences.
Mac Download Folder Missing
Thesecond case happens whenyour Mac is stuck in the flashing folder with a question mark without booting.In this case, you need to enter the macOS recovery mode and reselect the StartupDisk. If it's not visible, then try repairing it with Disk Utility.
If the Startup Disk repair fails, thenyou would need to reinstall macOS to overcome this problem. But, before that,it's critical to back up the data stored on this hard drive, as reinstallingmacOS will simply overwrite the existing data.
So, connect the affected Mac to a functional Mac via Target Disk Mode, install Stellar Data Recovery Professional software on this working Mac, and then run it on the affected hard drive to extract and backup all the data to a secure location. Once the data is backed up, reinstall the macOS on the drive to fix the flashing folder with a question mark issue on Mac.
