Users/Library hidden in Big Sur?

[Internet Enzyme]

I was trying to find the true location of my iCloud files, and I found that the "Library" folder in my user directory was missing. I had to go into terminal and use the "open" command to find the folder, and now it appears, albeit greyed out. Does anyone know why this directory is hidden by default in Big Sur? Is this a beta bug or intentional? Thanks.

 

[Taz Mangus]

It is intentional. The user Library folder has been hidden in the past few major releases of macOS. In Mojave you would use the chflags command to unhide the folder. In Catalina you would use the following commands:

setfile -a v ~/Library
chflags nohidden ~/Library

I am curious if Apple has made it even harder to unhide the user Library folder in Big Sur. Does holding the option-key while selecting Finder->Go->Library still work in Big Sur?

 

[AnadinX]

also cmd+shift+. is a keyboard toggle to show/hide hidden folders in Finder

 

[Monotremata]

In Catalina (and I think Mojave), its in the View Options in your Home folder. Theres a check box right at the bottom to show or hide your library.

 

[DeadeyeM]

Catalina:

 

[Nermal]

also cmd+shift+. is a keyboard toggle to show/hide hidden folders in Finder

Wow! That's apparently been there since 10.12 and I only just found out about it. Thanks; that'll make my life easier

 

[adrianlondon]

My Library directory is fine (I've had it unhidden for years) but Finder won't show me the contents of ~/Library/Containers. I can see it in Terminal.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

Catalina:


View attachment 932470

That option only appeared in the List View Options when I looked for it, but when I checked it in List view it also appeared in the Column View Options, which was weird.
[automerge]1594396521[/automerge]

also cmd+shift+. is a keyboard toggle to show/hide hidden folders in Finder

I actually already knew about this; not sure why I didn't do it, because it's a pretty handy feature
[automerge]1594396638[/automerge]

It is intentional. The user Library folder has been hidden in the past few major releases of macOS. In Mojave you would use the chflags command to unhide the folder. In Catalina you would use the following commands:


I am curious if Apple has made it even harder to unhide the user Library folder in Big Sur. Does holding the option-key while selecting Finder->Go->Library still work in Big Sur?

yeah, that still works. why did they make this change? so no one would accidentally tamper with important stuff? can't you still access the system folder though?

 

[Taz Mangus]

I get an error messsge when I try to play your screen recording.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

I get an error messsge when I try to play your screen recording.

oh i originally attached a screen recording and said that holding option no longer showed the user library but i had done that after i had already shown the user library in the view options, so of course it didnt expose it because its already shown. i did it again after hiding the library again, and sure enough holding option ephemerally exposed it in the menu bar.

 

[Taz Mangus]

can't you still access the system folder though?

The system folders are now locked down in a Big Sur through Signed System Volume.

 

[LuisN]

It is intentional. The user Library folder has been hidden in the past few major releases of macOS. In Mojave you would use the chflags command to unhide the folder. In Catalina you would use the following commands:


I am curious if Apple has made it even harder to unhide the user Library folder in Big Sur. Does holding the option-key while selecting Finder->Go->Library still work in Big Sur?

Yes

 

[Taz Mangus]

Catalina:


View attachment 932470

Accessible with command-J. I have been using OS X/macOS since 10.2 and I am amazed at the little things that I keep learning such as this.

 

[SketchyClown]

It is almost job #1 when I install a fresh version of macOS. I just select my User folder in the Finder, right click, select "Show View Options" and select the checkbox "Show Library Folder" and finish by clicking "Use As Defaults" then it always shows the folder.

 

[KoolAid-Drink]

Apple first hid the ~/Library folder in Lion. Prior to 10.7, it was visible by default in 10.6 and older.