How To Find the File Path on Mac

Users who have had a Mac system for a while may need a more convenient method of acquiring the file path of specific files. If this is a problem you have encountered, explore the options outlined below as they might be able to address your particular issue. 

Getting the right file path

If you just wish to see where your file is located, right-click it and choose the 'Get Info' option. The file path will be written under the 'Where:' line. 

Copying the file path

The next step after seeing the file path is to copy it so that you can use it wherever is needed. That requires are a couple of extra steps: 

1. Open Finder.
2. Click the 'View' menu from the upper bar.
3. Select 'Show Patch Bar.' The file path will then be displayed right underneath the Finder window.
4. Press Control and Click on the file that you wish to see the path for. 
5. Press and hold the Option key on your keyboard.
6. Select the new option that is now available - 'Copy … as Pathname.'
7. The file path will now be saved to the Clipboard. 

Using Terminal to get the file path

Using Terminal may seem a bit intimidating, but the tool is often the fastest way to accomplish certain tasks on your Mac. To get a specific file path through Terminal follow the steps:

1. Go to your Applications folder, open Utilities, and start Terminal.
2. Type the sudo su and then press Return on your keyboard to get Super User privileges. 
3. Now, type the find / -name randomfilename command. Replace 'name' in the command with an approximation of the name of the file you need. 
4. Wait for the process to complete.
5. You will be presented with a list of file names. Ignore all that have 'operation not permitted' written as part of their names. Instead, focus on the rest and try to find potential matches. Copy the full name of any suitable files and paste it into Finder or Spotlight Search. 

 Viewing unlisted files

Certain files on the Mac system are unlisted (greyed out). A convenient combination that you can use on macOS versions 10.12 and above is:

1. Open Finder and open the approximate location of the hidden files you wish to see. 
2. Press Command+Shift+Period keys on your keyboard. You should now be able to see all hidden files in the folder.
3. To make the unlisted files disappear once more, press the same keys again.