How to open the hidden usr/local/bin folder on Mac

Secrets of Mac system files: How to safely access hidden folders such as usr, local, bin, etc.

Have you noticed that there are almost no system files on your Mac? Although macOS takes up dozens of GB of space on the hard drive, you can't find any trace.

This is because macOS hides critical data to prevent users from accidentally deleting or tampering with files that may corrupt Mac.

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However, sometimes, advanced users need to access hidden files and folders such as usr, local, bin. How to do this?

This article will explain what bin folders and Mac USB folders are, how to open bin files on Mac, and safe ways to manage hidden files.

What is a bin folder?

By the name, you might think that the bin folder is the same as the Trash, but that's not the case.

Bin stands for "binary" - a directory containing all the executable commands of the application. For example, advanced users may need to access the bin folder to change various application configuration files or license numbers.

What is the usr folder on your Mac?

Another hidden Mac directory is the usr folder. Its name doesn't come from the "user" as most people think. It is the abbreviation for "user related" and contains a variety of read-only data, libraries, documents, binary files and other read-only software - all of which are necessary for the smooth running of applications on a Mac, but users don't actually need to see them.

Why is USB not visible on Mac?

The reason why macOS hides folders like usr and bin is the same as the reason why pipes and wires in your home are hidden. They are not beautiful and can have serious problems if you modify them in ways that shouldn't be possible.

However, macOS also provides advanced users with some options to access all parts of the system. Users can do this through Finder, terminal or other third-party applications.

How to access /usr/local/bin in Finder

The general problem with usr, local, bin and other similar folders is that they are simply invisible. Unless you specifically look for them, you don't even know they exist.

First, you can make all invisible files visible. To do this, go to Finder and use the shortcut key Shift ⌘ . (dot).

You will see some new light grey files appearing with a dot before their name (e.g. Trash).

So where is /usr/local/bin? To find it:

1. From the menu bar, select Go to ➙ Computer (Shift ⌘ C)
2. Click Macintosh HD
3. Select usr ➙ local ➙ bin or any other file path you need

If you have been using Finder to process files and folders, such as moving files, copying files, transferring files between devices, and more, then using a powerful file manager such as Commander One may help you.

Commander One is a great alternative to Finder. This dual-panel file manager makes managing any files and folders a breeze. Navigate two separate file environments in one place, use quick searches that allow for regular expressions, transfer files to iOS or Android, connect to your server via FTP, use the archive tool to unzip any files, and more.

To show hidden files and folders in Commander One, just go to View ➙Show hidden files (Shift Option ⌘ H) in the menu bar.

Please read also:

• How to display library folders on your Mac
• How to create a file on your Mac
• Delete recent searches
• Show hidden files on Mac

How to find bin folder in terminal

Since macOS is built on a UNIX system that is mainly managed by the command line interface, Mac has its own version called a terminal.

Terminal is a utility that allows advanced users to access almost everything on their Mac with special commands.

To open a terminal, go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

A simple command to list all files and folders in the current directory is ls -la and press Enter. You will immediately see all the hidden files in the directory (the name is preceded by a little).

To move a folder level up, type cd ../ and press Enter. To move down one level, type cd [文件夹名称] and press Enter.

This is how you can find any file or folder on your Mac.

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