How to Hide/Unhide Your Files and Folders on Mac

Elva

• Filed to: Mac Recovery • Proven solutions

Our computers are like our own digital spaces where we store and process information. Privacy values a great deal in computing, and most of the time, the only way to keep your files safe from others using the same computer is to hide them.

How to hide files and folders on Mac? We are going to help you with that very question today with answers that you can use to safely hide your files on Mac.

Part 1: Hiding files on Mac – Why Privacy is Important

Files that you have on your Mac might be free to use for everyone or they might be something for your eyes only. And there are many reasons why we would want to keep the files hidden from others.

To keep the file safe: If your Mac is used by other members of the family or office, then there is a chance they might use your file or gain access to them. Hiding files on Mac gives you a peace of mind that your files are not used by anyone else.

Sensitive information: You Mac can contain very sensitive information, either related to your private or professional life. So it is of paramount importance that this information does not fall into the hands of people who may exploit it. Hiding your files or folders on Mac makes it impossible for them to get to them.

To save multiple copies: Hiding the copies of a file is helpful when you want to safeguard it against file loss. Hiding the extra copies will remove it from sight.

Part 2: 4 Proven Ways to Hide Files and Folders on Mac

The process of hiding files and folders on Mac should be done with caution because if it doesn’t work out, then your files will be visible to anyone who ventures to that folder or window. Here are 4 different ways that you can use to Hide files and folders in Mac.

Method 1: Using keyboard shortcuts to Hide Hidden file/folders on mac

The first method that we are going to discuss is about hiding hidden folders with just a simple keyboard combo. If you press CMD + Shift + . on the keyboard, then Mac will hide or unhide the files that are already been hidden. This is an easy method that you can use to easily flip between hidden and visible status for files.

Method 2: Using Terminal to Hide Files on Mac

The terminal can help you hide files on Mac with just a few steps. The process is quite easy and will come in handy if you want to hide file or folders.

Step 1 Open a Terminal window by pressing Command + Space and then typing Terminal. Press enter to open the Terminal.

Step 2 Type in chflags hidden.

Step 3 Now drag and drop the file or folder you want to hide into the window.

Step 4 Note down the path of the folder or file so that you can access it when you need it the next time.

Method 3: Enabling FileVault

FileVault is Apple’s inbuilt file encryption feature. when you turn on FileVault, the files in your Mac will be encrypted with 128-bit AES Encryption. Now the files on your Mac can only be accessed using a password. No one else but you will have access to the files on your Mac. The following steps will help you turn on FileVault on Mac.

Step 1 Navigate to Apple Menu> System Preferences.

Step 2 Out of the options, click on Security and Privacy.

Step 3 In the following Window, Click on the FireVault Tab.

Step 4 Click on Turn On FileVault.

Now Mac will provide you with a key that you can use to unlock your hard drive if you forget your password. Make sure you write and store the key somewhere safe. From now onwards, files on your mac can only be accessed with your password.

Method 4: Hide files on Mac by moving them to another user account

The files of the user account on a Mac will be not visible for a second user account on the same Mac. This essentially means that files on a user account are hidden from the other user account.

You can use this to your advantage by creating a second user account on Mac. Now to hide files from your account, all you need to do is move them to the second user account.

Step 1 Navigate to Apple menu > System Preferences.

Step 2 Out of the options provided, click on Users & Groups.

Step 3 Click on the Lock button that is provided at the lower left corner and click on the + button.

Step 4 Enter the new account details to set up a profile.

Now your Mac will have a second account which you can use to hide files from the main account. If the files are accessible between two accounts, you need to turn off the file sharing option found in Apple Menu> System Preferences>Sharing.

Part 3: How to Hide Icons from Mac Desktop

We have discussed four different ways in which you can hide files on Mac, but what if you want to hide desktop icons? Such a need arises when you don’t want other users accessing your applications or software. If you want to protect your games or software from being opened by others, then you should definitely try this option.

Step 1 Open Terminal on your Mac.

Step 2 Type in the following command line

defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop false

killall Finder

Step 3 To unhide Finder, enter in the following command line

defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop true

killall Finder

This feature also comes in handy when you want to reduce any distractions while working on your Mac.

Part 4: How to Unhide Files on Mac

We have discussed many methods on hiding files and folders on Mac, now let us focus on unhiding the files on Mac. Making files visible is necessary when you want to use those files. Sometimes, we might forget the files we made hidden, and uncovering them can be tricky if you don’t know how to do it.

The following three methods will help you unhide files on Mac and we have even added a method that could help you recover lost files on Mac.

Method 1: Unhide files on Mac using Keyboard Shortcuts

The keyboard shortcut that we used to hide hidden files in Mac is the same combo that is used to show the hidden files.

So if you want to unhide hidden folders or files, just press down on CMD + Shift + . and you will be able to see all the files in that specific path.

Method 2. Use Mac terminal command to show hidden files

You can also use the terminal command to unhide files. the process involves entering a line of code into the terminal, which makes all the hidden visible. This method is especially helpful if you have numerous hidden files or folders which needs to be made visible quickly.

Step 1 Open Terminal.

Step 2 Enter the following code - defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Step 3 Press Enter.

Step 4 Relaunch the Finder by right-clicking on the finder icon and pressing Relaunch.

Method 3. Use a Mac Data Recovery Tool

One of the common mistakes done while hiding files on a mac is that the user will forget where they have hidden the files. And if your Mac has a lot of files and folders, then the task of finding these hidden files becomes a near impossible task. They are also deleted when you delete the folder without knowing you have files hidden within it.

This is where we realize the importance of a Data Recovery tool. We always recommend Recoverit (IS) tool for Mac.

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The installation process of Recoverit (IS) Tool is also very simple. You can use the software by yourself without requiring any form of external assistance. We have provided a comprehensive guide that you can follow to recover hidden files from your Mac.

Step 1 Download and install Recoverit (IS) Tool

Download the latest version of iskysoft Data recovery tool from the official website. Do not trust software from unofficial websites or sources.

Step 2 Select a Recovery Mode

Now choose a Recovery mode per your requirement.

Step 3 Select a drive to scan the data.

If you know the specific drive where your files had been stored, choose that drive so that the software can better target the recovery process.

Step 4 Preview and Recover the files

The window will show you that list of recovered files. you can choose to recover them or discard them. Use the preview feature so that you know exactly what you are recovering.

Recoverit is a very powerful tool that can help you out when you are in tricky situations with your Mac. Make sure that you keep the files on your device.

Conclusion

The files on your Mac are yours to use and hiding them is the best way to keep others from finding them or using them. You can use the various methods that we have discussed here to hide or unhide Mac files and get the most out of your system.