How can I view hidden files on my Mac? Can’t find a file

Telale

Hey so maybe a dumb question but I’m kinda stuck
I had this PDF in my Downloads folder. 100% sure I saw it there
but now it’s just gone???
checked Trash, not there either
someone told me mac might hide some files by default??
I honestly didn’t even know that was a thing
so… how do I see hidden files on macos?
not super techy or anything so please keep it simple 😅
thanks in advance 🙏

HopeInSleep

Try this: open a Finder window and press Command + Shift + . (that’s a dot)
It’s the shortcut to show hidden files in Finder, should toggle them on and off.
It should show you anything hanging around in that folder.
Let me know if it works.

SocialImpactCoder

You can also use Terminal.
Open it and type:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE

killall Finder

But are you sure the file was ever there? Could've been saved somewhere else.

Nonprofitech

I lose files all the time. Just open Finder, hit Command + F, type “.pdf”, then change that dropdown to “Document” just in case. Under the search bar there’s a little + button, click that. Change “Name to “Last modified date”, then set it to “within _ days”.

This way you can see all the recent stuff.
Hope it shows up!

DanyOrtega89

Just to clarify.
Command + Shift + . works, but only within Finder. It won’t reveal hidden files system-wide.
Also, you could try using Spotlight Search (Command + Space) and type the file name if you remember it.

crimsonKing

Hi, I’m not sure if this will help, but I think there’s a shortcut in Finder, if you press Command + Shift + . it shows hidden files? It seemed to work for me.
Also, maybe try checking the Library folder? It’s hidden by default, I think.
If you're trying to show hidden folders on Mac, that one’s a common place where apps stash stuff.
Sorry if that’s not useful 😅
Just thought I’d mention it.

HopeInSleep

crimsonKing
You’re right about the shortcut. As for the Library folder, you can’t see it with [Command + Shift + .]
You’ve got to hold Option and click the Go menu in Finder, then “Library” shows up
That said… probably not where a random PDF would end up. Library’s more for app stuff and settings, not downloads.
But hey, worth knowing either way.

0neWire

Just a heads-up, while the Terminal method does work, it’s not always the safest route if you’re unfamiliar with it.

The command that toggles hidden files looks like this:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE

Then this line:
killall Finder

That’ll make everything visible, useful when you need to find hidden files Mac-wide.
But be careful, macOS hides certain files for a reason.
You don’t want to accidentally move or delete something critical.

Also, check your browser’s download history, maybe you’ll see your file there. All browsers keep a record of recent downloads.

Telale

0neWire
how do I check browser download history again? 😅
I used Chrome when I got the file, but now its not in my Downloads folder

Telale

Thanks everyone for the replies 🙏
I tried that Command + Shift + . thing in Finder but didn’t see anything new
and I’m not super comfy messing around in Terminal tbh 😬
I also did that search thing from @User3. Searched for “.pdf” and sorted by modified date, but nothing popped up that looked like my file.
so weird, it was just there 😤
still can’t find it…

0neWire

Telale Got it. If you used Chrome, open it and press Command + Shift + J.
That opens the Downloads page. You should see the list of all recent downloads.
By the way, are you sure the file was fully downloaded? If the download was interrupted or failed partway through, Chrome might just not have saved anything at all.

roman-demian

OP can’t you just redownload it?
Like, if it was from a site or email, shouldn’t it still be there?
Feels like way less trouble than all this.

Telale

roman-demian
I would redownload it if I could 😭
it was from my uni portal and it was a one-time thing, once you close the page, it locks you out
missed the window and now the link’s dead

Telale

OK just checked the Chrome Downloads page
the file is listed there… but it’s greyed out and says “Deleted” 😕
no idea how or when that even happened

SocialImpactCoder

Telale Welp, there’s your answer. It’s been deleted. Might wanna check the Trash again, just in case.

crimsonKing

Telale Hi again. sorry you’re still having trouble 😕
I was just wondering… is it possible that something (or someone) might have removed the file by accident?
Also, do you have any cleanup or security apps installed?
Some of those can auto-delete downloads they think are suspicious or unnecessary
Just a thought! Hope that’s not the case, but figured I’d mention it.

0neWire

Telale Chrome marks files as “Deleted” if they were removed outside the browser, ether by you directly, or maybe by another app or process.
If the file’s important, you might still be able to recover it, if it hasn’t been overwritten yet.
You’d need a data recovery tool that can scan your drive for deleted files.
If you don’t have Time Machine or any backups, that’s probably your best (and only) option left at this point.

Nonprofitech

Telale
Any chance you’ve got Time Machine turned on?
I use it, and it saved m couple times, you might be able to roll back your Downloads folder to the time when the file was still there.

KindnessCatalyst

Telale Ahh that’s a bummer.
If it was for school, maybe ask someone from the same class or program?
They might’ve grabbed the file too and still have it.

Telale

Nonprofitech Nah I don’t use Time Machine
kinda wish I did now 😕