How to View the Application Support Folder in the Macintosh Finder

Learn how to access the hidden `Application Support` folder on your Mac through the Finder by utilizing the Terminal app. Follow our easy guide for seamless navigation! --- This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/75941701/ asked by the user 'Mike at Bookup' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/3224176/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/75942379/ provided by the user 'wch1zpink' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/6844169/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions. Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: how to view Application Support folder in the Macintosh Finder Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/l... The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license. If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com. --- Unlock the Hidden Treasure: Accessing the Application Support folder on Your Mac If you’re a Mac user, you might have stumbled upon the need to access the Application Support folder—an essential repository that contains data for applications installed on your system. However, navigating there isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Many users often find discrepancies between the folders displayed in the Finder app and those shown in the Terminal app. This guide will guide you through the steps to view the correct Application Support folder in Finder so you can easily access your applications’ support files. Understanding the Application Support Folder The Application Support folder is key for storing various data required by your applications. It can be found in two primary locations: User’s Application Support Folder: Path: ~/Library/Application Support Contains app data specific to the logged-in user. System-wide Application Support Folder: Path: /Library/Application Support Contains app data applicable to all users on the computer, often essential for system functions and services. The Issue: Different Views in Finder and Terminal Many users report that when they access the Application Support folder via Terminal, they come across a different set of folders compared to what they find in Finder. Specifically, you might notice folders such as ApplePushService that are not present in the User’s Application Support folder. Why the Discrepancy? This discrepancy stems from the fact that accessing the folder directly through Finder typically leads to the User's folder. Conversely, the Terminal often leads you directly to the System's folder. To truly see the contents of both, you must access them correctly. How to Navigate to the Correct Application Support Folder Here are the steps you can follow to view the correct Application Support folder in Finder directly from Terminal: 1. Accessing User's Application Support Folder If you want to view your User's Application Support folder, open the Terminal app and type the following command: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] This command opens the Finder and reveals the user's Application Support folder, making it easier to navigate. 2. Accessing System's Application Support Folder To view the more comprehensive System-wide Application Support folder that may contain folders like ApplePushService, you will need to use this command: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Executing this command in Terminal opens the Finder to the correct directory, where you can see all system files related to the applications. Enhancing Future Navigation Once you’ve revealed the desired folder in Finder, consider pulling it into your Finder sidebar for easier access in the future. To do this: Click and hold the folder in Finder Drag it to the sidebar where you’d like it to appear Release the mouse button to drop it there This customization can significantly streamline your workflow, allowing for quick access later on. Conclusion Navigating to the Application Support folder on your Mac might appear daunting at first. However, utilizing Terminal commands can simplify the process and reveal the locations and contents essential for managing your applications better. Whether you are troubleshooting, managing app data, or just curious about what's stored there, following these steps will help unlock those hidden resources safely and efficiently. Now you're ready to dive deeper into your Mac's application data like a pro!