[Solved] 3 Ways to Find & Delete Hidden ‘Ghost’ Files on Mac

When using Mac, hidden junk files or app leftovers are cluttering even after uninstalling main applications and emptying the trash.

These files are usually hidden from view and are often called “hidden files” or “ghost files”

These system-created ‘ghost’ files are usually harmless but can take up significant storage space if left unattended.

This applies to any macOS system, whether you use a MacBook, an iMac, or a Mac Pro.

This article will show you how to uncover these hidden ‘ghost’ files, remove them and free up space on your system drive.

How to Find and Delete Hidden ‘Ghost’ Files on a Mac?

Here are the three (3) ways to do so.

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Method 1. Using MacKeeper

MacKeeper is a macOS application that is reliable in cleaning, optimizing, and speeding up your mac performance and protecting it from malware and online threats.

The system cleaning process involves removing junk files, user cache files, user log files, duplicate files, etc.

This includes finding and deleting hidden ‘ghost’ files on your Mac system. These ‘ghost’ files can take up a lot of drive space if left unattended.

MacKeeper looks into your system automatically, removes the unnecessary hidden files, and reports to you on its suggestion. Then, based on the software’s recommendations, the user decides which to clean and retain.

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Method 2. Removing ‘Ghost’ Files Manually

You can use Finder on Mac to manually delete each hidden ‘ghost’ file.

All you need to do is to locate and un-hide these files.

Using Finder, you have to go to your folder directory. For example, if you want to navigate to the Macintosh HD folder.

• In the top menu of Finder > Go > Computer

• Click <Macintosh HD>
• On your keyboard, press and hold down <Command> + <Shift> + . (period)

All the hidden ‘ghost’ files will be shown now.

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Method 3. Hide ‘Ghost’ Files

Sometimes after cleaning your Mac system, there may be some residue of hidden files left. However, those are usually small and do not occupy significant storage space.

You can easily hide them from your Mac view.

• Open your Terminal app by searching for ‘Terminal’ on the magnifying glass icon on the top right.

• One at a time, copy and paste each of these two (2) commands into your Terminal app and hit <Enter>.

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE

killall Finder

Alternatively, if you want to make these hidden files visible in the future, use the commands below.

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE

killall Finder

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