Show or Hide Filename Extensions on Mac

This guide shows you how to show or hide filename extensions (like .jpg, .pdf, .docx) on your Mac. By default, macOS hides many extensions, which can make it hard to tell file types apart or rename files safely. You’ll learn the quick Finder setting and a per-file trick, plus what to do when extensions still don’t appear.

What You’ll Need

• A Mac running macOS (any recent version, from Catalina to Sonoma and newer).
• Access to Finder (the blue face icon in your Dock).
• No special tools or downloads are required.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Finder. Click the Finder icon in your Dock (the leftmost icon, usually a blue and white face).
2. Open Finder Settings. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click Finder (next to the Apple logo), then select Settings… (on older macOS versions, this is Preferences…).
3. Go to the Advanced tab. In the Settings window, click the Advanced tab (the gear icon).
4. Toggle filename extensions. Look for the checkbox labeled Show all filename extensions.
   • To show extensions, check the box.
   • To hide them, uncheck the box.
5. Close Settings. The change applies immediately to all Finder windows. You don’t need to restart anything.
6. Check a file. Open a folder and look at a file like report.pdf or photo.jpg. If you checked the box, you’ll see the extension at the end of the name. If you unchecked it, the extension disappears (unless it’s a file type that macOS always shows, like .app or .command).

Per-file override (optional): If you want to show or hide the extension for just one file, right-click (or Control-click) the file, select Get Info, then in the Name & Extension section, check or uncheck Hide extension. This works even if the global setting is the opposite.

Common Mistakes

• Changing the extension manually. When extensions are visible, you can accidentally rename document.txt to document.pdf, which doesn’t convert the file—it just breaks it. Always let the system handle extensions unless you know what you’re doing.
• Expecting all extensions to hide. Some extensions are always shown for safety, like .app, .command, and .terminal. This is normal.
• Looking in the wrong place. The setting is in Finder Settings, not System Settings. Some users search in System Settings and get confused.
• Not noticing the change. If you have a window open, the change applies instantly, but you might need to click on a file to see the updated name.

Tips

• Keep extensions visible if you work with many file types (like developers or designers). It helps avoid opening the wrong file.
• Use the per-file hide for files you share with others who might be confused by extensions, like sending a PDF to a less technical friend.
• Remember that hiding extensions doesn’t change the file type. It only changes the display. The file is still the same.
• If you’re renaming a file, it’s safer to keep extensions visible so you don’t accidentally delete the extension. If you do delete it, macOS will warn you with a dialog saying “Are you sure you want to change the extension?”. Read it carefully.
• Use Spotlight (Cmd+Space) to quickly find files by extension even if they’re hidden.

Troubleshooting

Extensions still not showing after checking the box?

• Make sure you’re looking at a file that actually has an extension. Some files (like plain text files created with TextEdit) might not have one if you saved them without it.
• Try closing and reopening the Finder window. Sometimes the view doesn’t refresh immediately.
• Check if the file is on a network drive or external disk. Some file systems might not support showing extensions, though this is rare.
• Restart Finder: Press Option+Control+Escape, select Finder, and click Relaunch. This won’t close your windows.

Extensions still showing after unchecking the box?

• Some extensions are always shown for safety (like .app, .command). This is intentional.
• If a file’s extension is still visible, it might have the “Hide extension” checkbox unchecked in its Get Info panel. Right-click the file, select Get Info, and check the box.
• Check if you’re in a special folder like Desktop or Documents where the setting might not apply? It should apply everywhere, but if not, restart Finder.

I can’t find the Advanced tab?

• On macOS Ventura and later, it’s called “Advanced” in Finder Settings. On older versions, it’s in Preferences. If you don’t see it, make sure you clicked “Finder” in the menu bar, not “System Settings”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will showing extensions break my files?

No, showing extensions is safe. It only changes how the name is displayed. The file itself remains unchanged.

Can I hide extensions for just one file?

Yes. Right-click the file, select Get Info, and check “Hide extension”. This overrides the global setting for that file.

Why do some extensions never hide?

macOS always shows extensions for files that could be dangerous if renamed, like .app, .command, and .terminal. This is a safety feature to prevent accidental changes.

Does this setting affect files on iCloud or external drives?

Yes, the setting applies to all files visible in Finder, including those on iCloud Drive and external drives, as long as they’re mounted and accessible.

How do I change the extension of a file?

Right-click the file, select Get Info, and in the Name & Extension field, type the new extension. You’ll get a warning—click “Change” to confirm. Be careful: this doesn’t convert the file format.

Why does my file have no extension even when I show them?

Some files genuinely don’t have an extension, like certain Unix executables or files created without one. You can add an extension by renaming the file and including a dot, e.g., notes.txt.

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