How to Show File Extensions on macOS

Enable full file extension visibility on macOS to identify file types instantly. Follow these steps to adjust your Finder preferences.

1. Open Finder settings. Click the Finder icon in your Dock to bring it to the foreground. Navigate to the top menu bar, click on Finder, and select Settings from the dropdown menu.
2. Navigate to Advanced tab. Within the Finder Settings window, locate the horizontal tab bar at the top. Click on the Advanced tab, which is represented by a gear icon.
3. Enable file extensions. Locate the checkbox labeled Show all filename extensions. Click the box to add a checkmark, which enables the setting globally for all files in Finder.
4. Close and verify. Click the red close button in the top-left corner of the Settings window. Open any folder in Finder to confirm that file extensions are now visible beside all filenames.