Find hidden Mac files

I don’t know if Spotlight indexes /usr or any of its sub-directories. All searches except “find” use Spotlight.

Here are some tips for searching system folders.

Search Everywhere - Apple Community

You folder example is not "hidden" in the Finder or UNIX sense, it is simply not shown by Finder unless you perform the following:

1. On your Desktop (e.g. Finder), press shift+command+G to open the Go to Folder panel
2. Enter /usr/local/FolderName
3. Press return

Finder will then open a new window with the contents of FolderName shown.

Find Any File can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  

As Ian suggested it is, for just file names, the most powerful search app for Macs.

Spotlight is very limited as to where it can search.

If you want to search for hidden files buried deep in the System and Users Library (which spotlight does not search) then you could try using "Find my File" by Thomas Tempelmann, which will find everything! Make sure you only download it from his site here:

https://findanyfile.app/

I´ve been using it for years...it´s very small, very fast and easy to use. Highly recommended! Hope this helps you!

The Finder's search function doesn't check the Library in the account's home folder or any system-level folders.

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