Library folder MacIn macOS, the library folder is used to store user account settings, preference files, app support files, caches, and other important data that allows your Mac to function as it should.

Making haphazard changes to the library folder can cause damage to your system, which is why Apple hides the folder by default. However, sometimes troubleshooting solutions require that you have access to the library folder. Read on to find out how to reveal it on your Mac.

Locating your Library Folder

There are actually three library folders on a Mac. The library folder in the root directory of your system drive (usually called Macintosh HD) contains data accessible to all users, but only administrators have write access to the files.

how to reveal the library folder on macos 1
Then there's the Library folder in System, which contains the main macOS system files. However, the hidden user library we want to reveal for troubleshooting purposes can be found at Macintosh HD/Users/[username]/Library. Here are some ways you can unhide it.

  1. Open a Finder window.
  2. Select Go from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
    how to reveal the library folder on macos 4

  3. Hold down the Option key to reveal the Library folder option in the dropdown menu.

Alternatively, you can try this method:

  1. Open a Finder window.
  2. Select Go -> Go to Folder... in the menu bar.
    how to reveal the library folder on macos 5

  3. Type ~/Library in the input field and click Go.

How to Keep the Library Folder Visible

The two methods above reveal the library folder in a Finder window, but once you close that window, the folder is hidden again. You can keep it visible on your Mac by following these steps.

  1. Open a Finder window.
  2. Select Go -> Go to Folder... in the menu bar.
    how to reveal the macos library folder

  3. Type /Users in the input field and click Go.
  4. Using your mouse, drag the home user icon with your name into the Favorites section of the Finder window's sidebar.
    how to reveal the library folder on macos 2

  5. Next, select the home user icon in the sidebar.
  6. Select View -> Show View Options in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  7. In the panel that appears, tick the checkbox next to Show Library Folder.
    how to reveal the library folder on macos 6

  8. Click the red traffic light to close the View Options panel.

The library folder will now remain visible in your Mac's directory structure, even after a restart, until you uncheck the view option described above. Want to make all files and folders visible on your Mac? Click here to learn how.

Popular Stories

Apple Watch Ultra Night Mode Screen

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades

Wednesday July 2, 2025 1:13 pm PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support. Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to launch this year with "significant" new features, including satellite connectivity, which would let you...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Capacity Leaked

Thursday July 3, 2025 5:40 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the biggest ever battery in an iPhone, according to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post, the leaker listed the battery capacities of the iPhone 11 Pro Max through to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and added that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,000mAh: iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3,969mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3,687mAh...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's Upcoming Macs Listed in New Report

Thursday July 3, 2025 9:09 am PDT by
AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today shared a list of alleged identifiers for future Mac models, which should roll out over the next year or so. The report does not reveal anything too surprising, but it does serve as further evidence that Apple is seemingly working on new models of every Mac, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Apple is...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...