Question 1

What is a .DS_Store file?

Accepted Answer

.DS_Store (Desktop Services Store) files are hidden files automatically created by macOS Finder in directories that have been accessed. They store custom attributes of its containing folder, such as the position of icons or the choice of a background image.

Question 2

Can I view the content of a .DS_Store file with this tool?

Accepted Answer

This tool will attempt to display the file as text. However, .DS_Store files are binary and not human-readable. Viewing them as text will likely show garbled characters. For a raw byte view, our BIN/HEX Viewer (link to /viewer/bin) might be more appropriate. This viewer primarily serves to identify the file and explain its purpose.

Question 3

Should I commit .DS_Store files to version control (e.g., Git)?

Accepted Answer

Generally, no. .DS_Store files are specific to an individual user's macOS Finder preferences and are not relevant to other developers or other operating systems. It's common practice to add `.DS_Store` to your project's `.gitignore` file.

Neel Online Viewer - .DS_Store Viewer

.DS_Store Viewer FAQs