Terminal: Files found with command 'locate' cannot be seen with 'ls'

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Level 1

4 points

Terminal: Files found with command 'locate' cannot be seen with 'ls'

I 've been trying to find a fix for MS Teams issue and I needed to remove it entirely from the system after deleting the app.

After opening a terminal I go to the root dir and use command "locate teams". You can see all entries found...

If I try to navigate to "Applications" or "Library/Cache" folders, I will not find these files. Also the app is still there and in Finder is missing...

It appears there is no fix for this anywhere...

Why can't I have access to all files on my mac?

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.5

Posted on Jun 14, 2024 12:31 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MrHoffman

Community+ 2025

Level 10

145,301 points

Jun 14, 2024 7:15 PM in response to late_plate

Use mdfind and not locate. locate is nice and handy and useful, but the database updates can lag reality.

The Spotlight database used by mdfind is kept current with file churn. the locatedb can trail.

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Answer 2

kolella

Level 1

28 points

Jun 14, 2024 3:10 AM in response to late_plate

run "sudo /usr/libexec/locate.updatedb" to update locate database

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

102,601 points

Jun 14, 2024 1:01 AM in response to late_plate

Using the Terminal may seem a good method

Though, using the third party application " Find Any File (FAF) " from either the Apple Apps Store or directly from the Developer may prove more fruitful

Find Any File (FAF)

Suggest reading from the Developers website on how to use the application

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Answer 4

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,144 points

Jun 14, 2024 2:59 AM in response to late_plate

If you have deleted the app, nothing will be in the Applications directory. All of those listings are the app package. I don’t know why locate would show them except it uses a database that is likely stale.

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Answer 5

HWTech

Level 9

68,720 points

Jun 14, 2024 7:13 PM in response to late_plate

Applications are located in multiple areas of the file system on macOS 10.15+ which utilizes a newer style of drive layout involving a read-only system volume. Some utilities may be able to see the drive layout differently than other utilities. Apple has not been able to keep up with all of their own changes.

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