How can I unhide the Library folder in a TM backup file?

Question

Nich1973 Author

Level 1

8 points

How can I unhide the Library folder in a TM backup file?

Hello,

I know this subject has been listed before a few years back, and I followed the instructions but had no luck making it work. I am also after Office 365 files and my Google Chrome bookmarks.

I recently had to do a complete software reinstall erasing my hard drive starting again with a clean install.

I didn't want to use migration assistant to bring things back just in case something was corrupt on my time machine backup, plus I wanted everything to be fresh.

I can open my external hard drive from the desktop and see my time machine backups there, but when I navigate to the user it doesn't show my user library folder.

How do I unhide the library folder on the external backup drive?

I also have to connect and start the time machine backup process again, so it probably wont let me see past backups on this new operating system when I run time machine. I have installed Catalina on my iMac.

I hope someone can help.

Thanks heaps.

Nichole

Posted on Apr 30, 2020 12:14 AM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

130,361 points

Apr 30, 2020 12:29 AM in response to Nich1973

I just checked one of my Macs running Catalina. If your user Library folder is visible on your Mac it should be visible on the Time Machine backup. Also, if you choose your user Library folder on your Mac, you should be able to choose "Enter Time Machine" from the Menu Bar which should open the folder on your Time Machine backup.

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Answer 2

Nich1973 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 30, 2020 8:00 PM in response to dialabrain

The problem is that it wasn't visible when I did the backups. If I run the time machine backup on my clean install same external drive, will I see my old backups on my timeline when I choose "Enter Time Machine" from the Menu Bar?

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Answer 3

Nich1973 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 30, 2020 8:47 PM in response to dialabrain

Yes I see all of my other files, and all of the backups when I click and open the external drive directly on my desktop, just not my user library folder. I can see my files also when I enter time machine, but when I try and navigate to a date on the timeline it wont go to it.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

130,361 points

Apr 30, 2020 9:04 PM in response to Nich1973

Well, the problem I have is the Library folder is already visible on my Time Machine backups so I can't even try a few things without erasing my backup drive and starting a new Time Machine backup.

Maybe someone else will have an idea.

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Answer 5

Nich1973 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 1, 2020 4:28 AM in response to dialabrain

Hello Dialabrain,

You're a complete GENIUS!! I downloaded EasyFind and navigated my way to the two data files I needed in the hidden user library folder from my time machine backup and copied them to my desktop. I was able to restore my Outlook email folders I filed my messages in and all of my Chrome bookmarks. I have learnt so much more about my mac in the last couple of days.

I am forever grateful for your knowledge. So much appreciated. Kindest regards Nich1973 :)

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

130,361 points

Apr 30, 2020 9:11 PM in response to Nich1973

You're welcome. One thing you could try is get EasyFind from the App Store and use it to search for invisible folders named Library on your backup drive.