On a Mac, the Applications folder is where apps live. It is home to every native macOS app and every third-party app that you download. In this article, we explain how to find it and what to do if you ever accidentally lose access to the Applications folder. Now, if you aren't looking for complete control of the apps on your Mac, there is another way to modify how everything operates. Go to the Apple Menu. Find System Preferences. Or you can access this through Siri, Finder, or the Applications Folder.
What is the usr folder?
The Home folder on your Mac contains a number of folders - Applications, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Movies, Music, Pictures, Public - that you'll likely access frequently.
Apple operating systems are constructed using a Linux file system hierarchy, which means that traditional UNIX system directories hide certain files and directories. Unlike Applications or Documents or Downloads, some files and folders are hidden by default by the Mac operating system (macOS).
macOS hides these for a good reason. When buildings are constructed, wiring and plumbing are hidden behind walls. As a general rule, exposing anything that could negatively impact a building if it was accidentally damaged or tampered with is considered a good idea. The same is true of usr and var and other folders and directories.
Usr used to mean “everything user-related,” but this has evolved into “user usable programs and data over time.” This means that the usr contains shareable, read-only data, and often contains the largest share of behind-the-scenes data on any operating system. Within the usr is user-land programs, and data is contained, such as user binaries, their documentation, libraries, header files, and other read-only programs and associated data.
Generally speaking, because these folders and directories are behind the scenes, most users - even Mac power users - don't need to know about them or gain access. Similar to plumbing and wiring, it is enough to know they're running smoothly and only to gain access if you know what you’re doing or let an Apple trained expert take a look using diagnostic software to see if there are any problems within the usr files and directories.
Another way to make sure everything is working smoothly under the hood is to download a Mac performance improvement app, such as CleanMyMac X. It can take a quick look at what is taking up too much space on your hard drive, with its Space Lens feature. Once CleanMyMac X has analyzed your files and directories, including those hidden from view, you can delete what it recommends and regain the space you need for your Mac to run smoothly and quickly.
With the Space Lens tool, you can also access the usr folder and see how much space it takes on your Mac and what files it includes. First, you have to download and install CleanMyMac X and then follow such steps:
- Launch the app.
- Go to the Space Lens tab.
- Click Scan.
- Find usr folder in the list.
- Double click to review the files.
However, if you prefer the manual way of looking behind-the-scenes, here is how you can access the usr folder on a Mac.
How to access the usr folder: The manual way
If you want to access the usr folder, there are a couple of ways you can do that.
Find Directory Mac
1. Navigate to the usr through the Finder
- Open Finder.
- Press Command+Shift+G to open the dialogue box.
- Enter what you want to search for, e.g.,/usr or /usr/discreet.
- Now you should have temporary access, and this means that you should be able to drag the folder into the Finder favorites bar for easier access in the future.
Another way to gain access is through Terminal.
2. Finding usr in Terminal
- Launch Terminal; which you can find in /Applications/Utilities
- Enter this command in Terminal:
chflags nohidden ~/usr - (If nothing shows up under that name, try /Library as an alternative)
- Click Return. Make sure the command is executed.
- Quit Terminal. The usr folder should be visible in the Finder.
- If you ever want to restore this to how it was before, enter the following command in Terminal:
chflags hidden ~/usr - Click Return again, and it should be back to how it was.
Only attempt this method if you are comfortable using the Terminal. Remember, using Terminal can make significant changes to your macOS systems and files, so only make changes this way if you consider yourself a Mac power user. This method should temporarily uncover the usr folder.
Accessing the usr folder is often only necessary if you are looking for ways to improve your Mac's performance or speed. Thankfully, there is an easier way. Downloading CleanMyMac X can solve many problems quickly and safely, without any risk of causing accidental damage. It comes with a useful Space Lens feature since one reason a Mac doesn't perform as well as it once did is a result of files taking up too much space or duplicate files, folders, or apps. And identifying what is causing space issues is the job that CleanMyMac X does so well. See for yourself!
Some parts of your macOS are closed to visitors. Every new macOS update makes it harder for ordinary users to manipulate system-critical components. But 'harder' doesn't mean impossible. With tips we've laid out in this article, you can get into the operating system's hidden parts, access private folders, and do other things 99% of Mac users can't. Now, let's break some rules.
Access private folders on a Mac (Library)
Since 2011 the Library folder was closed from regular access. Not only was this a security risk from cyber-attacks and viruses, but people could also too easily alter settings that proved important, and therefore, difficult to fix. However, this Library folder often proves an invaluable source of troubleshooting for those who are confident and comfortable accessing the app files contained within.
For Mac power users, you may have heard the expression to “Delete the application's plist,” which is only something you can do with access to the Library folder. If you've never heard of this before, you might have been lucky with the applications you've been using. The Library folder is also a useful place to make customizable tweaks and changes to applications and programs you use regularly.
So if this sounds like something you need access to, we outline three ways we recommend to gain access.
Before you do that: are you trying to access some infected folder or a suspicious app? If that is one reason you need access to the Library, I suggest eliminating it with CleanMyMac first. I have used it to clean my drive in the past, and it got rid of a nasty trojan virus in my system folders. Give it a try here — a link to download a free edition.
Pro Tip: This app also detects private Large & Old folders on your Mac, those rarely visited by you.
Now, if you want to make space and improve the performance of apps manually, here are the three ways you can access the Library
#1: Make the Library permanently visible
Before you try this, are you familiar with the Terminal? It's not that scary as it looks.
If you are, we recommend going this route to provide permanent uncovered access to the Library. It will save you a whole load of time if you want and need 24/7 access. But only do this if you are perfectly comfortable and familiar using the Terminal. Making mistakes within Terminal can break things and cause problems that you would rather not have, which is the same for anyone who needs Library access.
Change Directory In Mac
Here is how you make the Library visible all of the time:
(1) Launch Terminal, which you can find in /Applications/Utilities
(2) Enter this command in Terminal: chflags nohidden ~/Library
(3) Click Return. Make sure the command is executed.
How to select windows of apps on macbook. (4) Quit Terminal. Library should be visible in the Finder > Go menu
If you ever want to restore this to how it was before, enter the following command in Terminal: chflags hidden ~/Library
Click Return again, and it should be back to how it was.
If you still don't see the Library, try pressing the Option key while you are in the Finder > Go menu.
#2: Temporarily unhide the Library
How To Access App Directory On Mac Computer
How to permanently remove an app from mac. As we mentioned, the use of Terminal — and Library — can cause things to break unexpectedly, which might mean involving an Apple specialist to fix an unexpected problem. Whenever possible, Apple prefers people to do things the way they suggest, and there is a suggested Apple way to make the Library visible, albeit temporarily.
(1) Either using Desktop or the Finder Menu, hold down the option key and select the Go menu.
(2) Library should show up in the Go menu
(3) Double-click on Library, which will open a Finder window containing the contents of that folder;
(4) Once you close that window, the Library folder will be hidden again.
#3: Unhide any private folder instantly
Luckily, macOS developers provided a shortcut to access private folders on Mac. Be careful with that one as you may delete something critically important (no wonder they hid it).
Press Shift+ Command + Period (a key for period character)
Did it work? Now you can browse the transparent folders, hopefully, you'll find what you're looking for. To undo this option, press the Shift + Command + Period again.
#4: How else to see hidden space on Mac?
Now, if space and performance issues are troubling you, there is a better way of getting under the hood than accessing a private folder on Mac. Using external tools like CleanMyMac X, you can quickly spot what is going on in your Mac. For example, the mentioned app has the Space Lens feature. What it does is builds a visual map of your storage so you can zoom in/out and enter any folder you want. It will show you what is taking up so much room. It also shows folders you normally don't have access to.
I downloaded the app's free edition here.
Once you’ve got this information, you can safely delete anything you don't need and go to unexplored places on your Mac. Stay tuned!