# fileExists(atPath:) Returns a Boolean value that indicates whether a file or directory exists at a specified path. ``` func fileExists(atPath path: String) -> Bool ``` ## Parameters `path` The path of the file or directory. If `path` begins with a tilde (`~`), it must first be expanded with [`expandingTildeInPath`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/expandingTildeInPath); otherwise, this method returns . App Sandbox does not restrict which path values may be passed to this parameter. ## Return Value if a file at the specified path exists, or if the file does not exist or its existence could not be determined. ## Discussion If the file at `path` is inaccessible to your app, perhaps because one or more parent directories are inaccessible, this method returns . If the final element in `path` specifies a symbolic link, this method traverses the link and returns or based on the existence of the file at the link destination. > Note: > Attempting to predicate behavior based on the current state of the file system or a particular file on the file system is not recommended. Doing so can cause odd behavior or race conditions. It’s far better to attempt an operation (such as loading a file or creating a directory), check for errors, and handle those errors gracefully than it is to try to figure out ahead of time whether the operation will succeed. For more information on file-system race conditions, see [Race Conditions and Secure File Operations](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Security/Conceptual/SecureCodingGuide/Articles/RaceConditions.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40002585) in [Secure Coding Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Security/Conceptual/SecureCodingGuide/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40002415). ## See Also [`checkResourceIsReachableAndReturnError(_:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSURL/checkResourceIsReachableAndReturnError(_:)) Returns whether the resource pointed to by a file URL can be reached. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)