How to Bookmark a Folder in Finder on Mac

No matter which version of macOS you use, Finder is always the primary way to interact with your files and folders. And also, it’s true that Finder has plenty of ways to organize your data, both manually and automatically. However, what if you want to bookmark a folder in Finder on your Mac? There’s a way to do that (three, actually), and we show you everything you need to know below.

Also read: How to Open Any Folder from the Mac Terminal

1. Add a Folder to “Favorites” in macOS’s Finder Sidebar

If you want to have quick access to a specific folder, perhaps the smartest way would be to place it into Finder’s sidebar (among your favorite locations). That way, you won’t see that folder at all times, but you’ll always be just a second away from it. Here’s what you need to do.

1. First, launch a new Finder window by clicking on the Finder logo via your Dock (on the left side).

2. Take a look to the left. Do you see a sidebar? If you don’t see the sidebar, navigate to “View -> Show Sidebar” (via the main system bar in macOS). Alternatively, you can use the following keyboard shortcut: Option + Command + S.

3. Using Finder, locate the folder you want to bookmark on your Mac. Don’t open it – just locate it. Drag and drop it into the “Favorites” list (within Finder’s sidebar) on the left side.

4. Once you add the folder to the sidebar, you can also change its position. To do that, click on it and move it up or down. Release your mouse or trackpad once you find the perfect spot. That’s it!

2: Add a Folder to macOS’s Dock

Next, we have another method to bookmark a folder on a Mac. This time, we’ll make it visible on your screen at all times and use macOS’s Dock for that purpose.

1. Locate the folder you want to bookmark. Once again, don’t open it – simply locate it. (You should see it on your screen.)

2. Drag that folder to your macOS’ Dock (visible at the bottom of the screen, by default). Keep in mind that you can add folders to the right side of your Dock. You should see the icons in the Dock move left and right, making a place for the new folder.

3. Once you’re happy with the position of your folder, release your mouse or trackpad. You will now see your chosen folder among the present app icons, ready to be accessed with just a single click. That’s it!

Keep in mind that folders placed in the Dock behave in a bit differently. Once you click on any folder in the Dock, you will first see a preview of its contents. To open that folder in Finder, right-click and select “Open” or click once and select “Open in Finder.”

Also, we have another tip. To remove the shortcut you’ve just created, drag and drop that folder onto the Trash icon. That action will only remove the shortcut and not the folder itself.

Also read: How Much Storage Do You Need on Mac?

3. Create a Folder’s Alias

And lastly, there’s a third method of bookmarking any folder on your Mac, and it involves creating an “alias.”

1. Locate the folder you’d like to bookmark. Once again, don’t open it – locate it. In other words, you should see its name and icon on your screen.

2. Right-click its icon and a menu should appear. Select “Create Alias.” That will create something that will look like a copy of the chosen folder. However, that will only be a shortcut.

3. Lastly, you can place your newly created alias anywhere you want – on your desktop, Dock, or anywhere else in Finder. And once again, keep in mind that we’re talking about a shortcut. Any files you delete within that folder will also disappear from the original folder.

Conclusion

These are the three best (and easiest) ways to bookmark any folder in Finder on your Mac. If you’d like to learn more, check out the best Finder preferences to enhance your user experience, as well as how to customize macOS Big Sur.