Meaning of grey question mark on files in Library after macOS Tahoe upgrade

There is absolutely nothing to worry about.

These are actual files, that macOS uses and that the user has no need whatsoever to interact with.

There is no "broken link" because these are the actual files, not aliases pointing somewhere else.

If you go looking around under ~/Library you will find thousands of files that you know nothing about, and that is a very good reason why this folder is hidden. Most people need not even know it exists.

It is very simple, really.

In macOS Finder, each file is represented visually by an icon.

How is that icon chosen?

Well, it is usually based on the file extension.

An excel file usually has extension .xlsx and a Pages file extension .pages, and so.

From that extension, Finder displays the corresponding icon.

In macOS Tahoe, when a file has an extension for which no icon has been assigned, it creates an icon consisting of a question mark, with the file extension written at the bottom.

You can confirm this yourself if you create a file with a nonexistant extension.

I created a new file in my Desktop called "123.Oliveira4"

Now .Oliveira4 is not an extension used by any application installed on my Mac, so guess how this file appears!

Panilongan wrote:

Hi Everyone!

After upgrading to OS Tahoe I noticed in the 'hidden' Library many files which do have a grey colored Question Mark on the File Icon. I was reading anywhere that it means, the link to according app is broken. Is this correct? Can I safely delete those files inside the library, or is there still a use for it, and should be untouched?

Thank you for any answers!

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/59800588-2cde-4652-89d3-b3bf1be491c1

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: What is the meaning of a grey colored Question Mark on Files in the main Library? Can I safely delete those files inside the library?



If you change to List View and you do not have to look at icons with a ? mark