How to get info on a file in Finder on Mac: macOS 27 steps and fixes

Get Info is the Finder window that describes a single file, a folder or a disk. It shows what kind of item you have, how big it is and when it last changed. You can open it with a keyboard shortcut or from the menu bar. Apple's Mac User Guide is the source for these steps, and it shows macOS 27 in its version menu. Older macOS versions were not checked, so menu names there may differ slightly.

Fastest way: select the file and press Command-I

Most of the time you need a quick answer. You want to know how big a file is, or when you last changed it. Click the file once in a Finder window or on the desktop. Then press Command-I. The information window opens. If you prefer the mouse, go to File > Get Info in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Both routes open the same window. The shortcut is faster once it becomes a habit. The menu is the safer choice when you do not remember the keys.

What the Get Info window shows

The window lists facts about the item. For a typical file you see its type, its size and when it was last modified. You also see where it is stored. Apple's iCloud guide lists the same kind of fields for iCloud Drive files: type, size, last modified date, storage location, and who shared the item if it is shared. Finder's window is the one to use for files on your Mac.

Read the size first. It is the number people look for most often. If you want to know how much room a folder takes up, select the folder and open its Get Info window. Then compare that figure with the free space on the disk. Treat the number as a guide when you plan a cleanup, not as an exact accounting.

Some sections collapse. Click the small disclosure arrow next to a section name to open or close it. Apple's permissions guide uses this arrow for Sharing & Permissions, and the same pattern applies to other sections. The sections you see depend on the item, so do not expect every window to match.

Get info on several files at once

Get Info works on one item at a time by default. To see details for a group, select the files first. Hold the Control key, then open the File menu and choose Get Summary Info. Apple says a separate information window opens for each item. A big selection creates a big pile of windows, so start with a small batch. Close them as you go, or you will lose track of which window belongs to which file.

Check sharing and permissions for a disk

Permissions decide who can read, change or copy an item. Apple's permissions guide starts with a disk, so begin there. Select the disk in Finder, then choose File > Get Info. Expand Sharing & Permissions with its disclosure arrow. If the lock in the bottom-right corner is closed, click it so the settings open. The guide does not show the exact prompt you will see, so follow what macOS asks.

One checkbox needs a note. Apple's guide mentions Ignore ownership on this volume. That checkbox is for disks, and it does not appear for disks used for Time Machine backups. If you are not an administrator, Apple's guide says to ask an administrator for access. Changing ownership on a shared drive can lock other people out, so check with them first.

Get file details for iCloud Drive on iCloud.com

You do not need a Mac to check an iCloud Drive file. Open icloud.com/iclouddrive in a browser and sign in. Select the file or folder, click the More button in the top-right corner, and choose Get Info. The panel shows the file type, size, last modified date, where it is stored and who shared it. It shows fewer fields than Finder, and it covers iCloud Drive only.

Size matters more when storage is tight. Apple's storage page says each account gets 5 GB of free storage. The same page lists US iCloud+ prices, including $0.99 a month for 50 GB and $9.99 a month for 2 TB. The page is dated September 16, 2026, and prices vary by country. Use Get Info to find the large files before you decide what to delete or move.

Quicker ways to see more while you browse

Two view settings put details on screen without opening a window. Open View > Show Path Bar to display the folder path inside the Finder window. Hold Option to see it briefly if it is hidden. Control-click a folder in the path bar and choose Copy "folder" as Pathname to copy its path. You can then paste that path into a document or a message.

Item info is the other option. Choose View > Show View Options and select Show item info. Apple says this option appears only in Icon view, so switch to Icon view first. The details then sit under each icon. That helps when you want to scan a folder without opening every file.

Mistakes people make with Get Info

• Pressing Command-I while another app is active. The shortcut acts on the front app, so click the Finder window or the desktop first.
• Clicking empty space instead of the file. Get Info needs the file highlighted, so click its name or icon.
• Expecting the Ignore ownership checkbox on a Time Machine disk. It does not appear there.
• Trying to edit permissions without clicking the lock. The settings stay closed until you click it.
• Assuming iCloud.com shows everything Finder shows. The web panel has fewer fields.
• Opening many Get Info windows at once. Each file gets its own window, so close them when you finish.

Fixing Video Duration problems on Tahoe

The workaround in that thread uses QuickTime Player. Open the video in QuickTime Player, press Command-I, and read the Inspector. You get the metadata without relying on the Finder window. The sources checked for this page do not say whether Apple removed the field on purpose or fixed it in a later update.

Where Get Info fits in your next steps

Get Info answers one question at a time. Once you know a file's details, the next step is often organizing it. Add a tag to a file in Finder helps you group work by project. Search for a file in Finder helps when you cannot find the item. Show hidden files in Finder helps when a file you expect is missing from the list. You can also change the sidebar in Finder to keep your most-used folders in reach.

How Lazur helps with Get Info

Lazur is a voice assistant for the Mac that lives in the notch. Hold Option and Command, then ask about anything on your screen. Ask where Get Info is, and Lazur draws a circle and a label around it. Ask Lazur to walk you through it, and it guides you one click at a time, waiting for each click. Lazur does not click buttons or operate Finder for you. Your hand makes every click.

Lazur listens and looks at the screen only while you hold the shortcut. Audio and the screenshot go to AI providers to get an answer, and they are not stored. Content is never used to train AI models. Lazur runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Windows is planned, not available.

Check the file before you change it

Get Info is a safe place to look. Opening the window does not change the file. Changes happen only when you edit a field or a permission setting. That makes it a good first step before you clean up a folder. Read the size, check the modified date, and then decide what to do.