How to Find the Library Folder on a Mac

This wikiHow teaches you how to force your Mac's user "Library" folder to show up in the Finder window. While the "Library" folder is hidden by default, you can prompt it to appear both temporarily and permanently.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Showing the Library Folder Temporarily

  1. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 1
    1
    Open Finder
    Mac Finder
    .     Click the icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face on the far-left side of your Mac's Dock. This will open a new Finder window.
  2. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 2
    2
    Click Go. It's a menu item at the top of the screen. Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu.
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  3. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 3
    3
    Hold down the ⌥ Option key. This key is in the lower-left corner of the Mac keyboard. Holding it down will prompt the Library folder to appear in the Go drop-down menu.
  4. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 4
    4
    Click Library. It's in the middle of the drop-down menu under the "Home" option. Doing so will open the Library folder in the Finder window.
    • Once you close the Finder window in which the Library folder is open, you can let go of the ⌥ Option key.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Showing the Library Folder Permanently

  1. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 5
    1
    Make sure that your Mac is up to date. Menu options change with different versions of your Mac's operating system, though the following instructions should work on macOS Sierra and High Sierra.
  2. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 6
    2
    Open Finder
    Mac Finder
    .     Click the icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face on the far-left side of your Mac's Dock. This will open a new Finder window.
  3. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 7
    3
    Click Go. It's a menu item at the top of the screen. Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu.
  4. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 8
    4
    Click Home. This option is near the middle of the Go drop-down menu. Doing so opens the Home folder in the Finder window.
  5. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 9
    5
    Click a blank space in the Finder window. Doing so will ensure that your Finder window is centered on the Home folder.
  6. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 10
    6
    Right-click the window. On a Mac with a trackpad or an Apple mouse with one mouse button, click the Finder window with both fingers to perform a right-click. This will prompt a drop-down menu.
    • Alternatively, you can hold the Control key and click the Finder window to perform a right-click.
  7. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 11
    7
    Click Show View Options. It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will open with some additional options.
  8. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 12
    8
    Check the "Show Library Folder" box. This option is near the middle of the pop-up window.
  9. Image titled Find the Library Folder on a Mac Step 13
    9
    Click Use as Defaults. It's at the bottom of the window. At this point, you can close and re-open Finder without worrying about the Library option disappearing from the Go menu or the Home folder.
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Warnings

  • Do not move, rename, or delete anything inside the Library folder unless you know what it does.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • The Library folder is not for storing documents. If you're looking for photos, music, or similar files, you'll want to go to the Home folder.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-reveal-your-library-folder-in-lion-or-mountain-lion--mac-31972
  2. ↑ http://www.macworld.com/article/2057221/how-to-view-the-library-folder-in-mavericks.html

About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 298,075 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 11
Updated: December 31, 2020
Views: 298,075
Categories: Mac
Article SummaryX

1. Open Finder
2. Click Go in the menu bar at the top.
3. Hold down the option key.
4. Click Library in the "Go" menu.

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