Where Is the Pictures Folder on a Mac?

If you recently got a new Mac, you might not see your Pictures folder in the “Favorites” sidebar of Finder anymore. But don’t worry, it’s still there. Here’s how to find the Pictures folder—and how to add it to your sidebar again.

First, bring Finder to the foreground by clicking its icon in your Dock.

In the menu bar at the top of the screen, select “Go,” then choose “Home” from the menu that appears. Or, alternately, you can press Shift+Command+H on your keyboard.

When your Home window opens in Finder, locate the “Pictures” folder. Double-click the icon to open it.

For easier access to the “Pictures” folder in the future, click and drag the “Pictures” folder icon to the “Favorites” section of the Finder’s sidebar.

While you’re hovering over the sidebar, the folder icon will turn into a small placement indicator. When you have the indicator pointing where you’d like in the list, release your mouse button. The “Pictures” folder will appear at that spot in your “Favorites” list.

You can also add the Pictures folder to your Finder sidebar using another method. With Finder active, click “Finder” > “Preferences” in the menu bar. With “Preferences” open, select “Sidebar,” then place a checkmark beside “Pictures” in the list.

This method is handy because it allows you to add other special folders that might be missing to your taskbar, such as “Music” or “Movies.” When you’re done, close Finder Preferences.

From now on, any time you want to quickly visit your Pictures folder, just open any Finder window and click the “Pictures” shortcut in the sidebar. (And now that you know where it is, you can also find your Photos Library with ease, if you ever need to.)

RELATED: How to Move Your Apple Photos Library to Another Location