Perhaps it’s a piece challenge, private recordsdata, or simply one thing you don’t need cluttering your desktop. Regardless of the explanation why, hiding a folder on a Mac is more uncomplicated than it’s possible you’ll assume, and there are many tactics to do it.

The excellent news? You don’t wish to be a tech wizard to get it completed. macOS gives some integrated gear and methods that make hiding folders fast and easy.

Additionally, in the event you’re feeling inventive or want an additional layer of safety, there are extra complex choices too.

Hide folder in Mac

On this information, I’ll stroll you thru 8 other ways to cover a folder on Mac. Whether or not you like the usage of Terminal instructions, easy renaming methods, or developing encrypted garage, there’s one way right here that’ll give you the results you want.

Listed below are the conceal a folder on macOS.

Way Description Problem
The usage of Terminal Cover a folder with the chflags hidden command. Intermediate
Including a Length Rename the folder with a duration at first to cover it. Simple
Transferring to Hidden Location Position the folder in a listing like ~/Library. Simple
Converting Permissions Prohibit get admission to by way of surroundings permissions to “No Get right of entry to.” Intermediate
Compressing Folder Zip the folder and take away the unique to cover it. Simple
Faux Record Extension Rename the folder with a system-like record extension. Simple
The usage of Automator Create a script to toggle folder visibility. Intermediate
Encrypted Disk Symbol Retailer the folder in a password-protected disk symbol. Intermediate

1. Cover a Folder The usage of Terminal

Terminal is a simple method to conceal folders to your Mac. Practice those steps to make a folder invisible:

  1. Open Terminal: Press Command + Area to open Highlight Seek, sort Terminal, and hit Input.
  2. Navigate to the Folder’s Dad or mum Listing: Use the cd command to modify to the folder’s location. For instance:
    cd /trail/to/mum or dad/listing
  3. Run the Command to Cover the Folder: Kind the next command and press Input:
    chflags hidden foldername

    Substitute foldername with the precise title of the folder you wish to have to cover.

  4. Take a look at the Effects: Open Finder and navigate to the mum or dad listing. The folder will now not be visual.
The way to Unhide the Folder

If you wish to have to make the folder visual once more, observe those steps:

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Run this command:
  3. chflags nohidden foldername
  4. Press Input. The folder will reappear in Finder.

The usage of this technique, you’ll simply conceal or unhide any folder without having third-party gear.

2. Cover a Folder by way of Including a Length (.) to Its Identify

macOS robotically hides any record or folder that begins with a duration (.). Right here’s tips on how to use this easy trick to cover your folder:

  1. Find the Folder: Open Finder and navigate to the folder you wish to have to cover.
  2. Rename the Folder: Proper-click the folder, make a selection Rename, and upload a duration (.) initially of the folder’s title. For instance, exchange MyFolder to .MyFolder, then press Input to save lots of.
  3. Verify the Folder is Hidden: The folder will straight away disappear from Finder.
The way to View Hidden Folders

If you wish to get admission to the folder later, you’ll divulge hidden recordsdata in Finder:

  1. Press Command + Shift + . (duration). This toggles hidden recordsdata off and on.
  2. Navigate to the mum or dad listing of the hidden folder. You’ll see the folder grayed out.
The way to Unhide the Folder

To make the folder completely visual once more:

  1. Rename the folder and take away the duration initially of its title.
  2. Press Input. The folder will now seem as a standard, visual folder in Finder.

This technique is fast, simple, and doesn’t require any particular gear.

3. Cover a Folder by way of Transferring It to a Hidden Gadget Location

macOS has hidden method directories, such because the Library folder, the place you’ll retailer recordsdata or folders out of undeniable sight. Right here’s how:

  1. Get right of entry to the Hidden Library Folder: Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, sort ~/Library, and press Input.
  2. Transfer Your Folder: Drag the folder you wish to have to cover into the Library folder or its subfolders. For additonal safety, position it deep within more than one subdirectories.
  3. Get right of entry to the Folder Later: Use the Command + Shift + G shortcut to navigate again to its location.
Why Use This Way?

Transferring a folder to the Library listing or different hidden method places assists in keeping it out of view with none renaming or attributes. It’s best for informal hiding.

The way to Make the Library Folder Visual
  1. Open Finder and move to your house listing (click on Pass > House).
  2. Click on View within the menu bar and make a selection Display View Choices.
  3. Take a look at the field subsequent to Display Library Folder to make it completely visual in Finder.

4. Cover a Folder by way of Converting Permissions

You’ll be able to prohibit get admission to to a folder by way of converting its permissions to “No Get right of entry to.” This technique guarantees that the folder can’t be opened or seen with out changing the settings.

  1. Find the Folder: Proper-click the folder you wish to have to cover and make a selection Get Data.
  2. Alter Permissions: Within the Sharing & Permissions segment, click on the lock icon to make adjustments (input password if brought about). Alternate the “everybody” permission surroundings to No Get right of entry to.
  3. Save the Adjustments: Click on the lock icon once more to save lots of and lock the adjustments.
What Occurs Subsequent?

The folder will nonetheless be visual in Finder, however any try to open it is going to lead to a “You don’t have permission” message.

The way to Repair Get right of entry to
  1. Proper-click the folder and make a selection Get Data.
  2. Free up the Sharing & Permissions segment by way of clicking the lock icon and getting into your password.
  3. Alternate “everybody” again to Learn & Write or the suitable surroundings.
  4. Lock the permissions once more by way of clicking the lock icon.

This technique turns out to be useful for informal hiding and limiting get admission to to precise customers at the identical Mac.

5. Cover a Folder by way of Compressing It

Compressing a folder right into a `.zip` record is a snappy method to “conceal” it whilst protecting its contents intact. Right here’s how:

  1. Find the Folder: In finding the folder you wish to have to cover in Finder.
  2. Compress the Folder: Proper-click the folder and make a selection Compress [Folder Name]. macOS will create a compressed record with the similar title, finishing in .zip.
  3. Cover or Transfer the Compressed Record: Delete the unique folder and transfer the `.zip` record to a much less noticeable location, akin to a hidden listing or deep within subfolders.

Be told extra concerning the .zip command

The way to Get right of entry to the Folder Once more
  1. Double-click the `.zip` record to extract its contents again into the unique folder.
  2. The extracted folder will seem in the similar listing because the `.zip` record.

This technique is perfect for brief hiding and organizing delicate recordsdata.

6. Cover a Folder by way of Renaming It with a Faux Record Extension

You’ll be able to cover a folder by way of converting its title to appear to be a method record or an unusual record sort. This makes it much less noticeable. Right here’s how:

  1. Find the Folder: In finding the folder you wish to have to cover in Finder.
  2. Rename the Folder: Proper-click the folder, make a selection Rename, and alter its title by way of including a pretend extension like .app, .pkg, or .log. Instance: Rename MyFolder to MyFolder.pkg.
  3. Take a look at the Effects: The folder will now appear to be a record with the faux extension and gained’t behave like a folder when clicked.
The way to Get right of entry to the Folder Once more
  1. Proper-click the folder and make a selection Rename once more.
  2. Take away the faux record extension (e.g., exchange MyFolder.pkg again to MyFolder).
  3. Press Input to revive it as a standard folder.

This technique works neatly for informal hiding and avoids making everlasting adjustments to the folder.

7. Cover a Folder The usage of Automator

Automator means that you can create a customized script to temporarily conceal or unhide a folder. Right here’s tips on how to set it up:

  1. Open Automator: Press Command + Area, sort Automator, and press Input.
  2. Create a New Workflow: When brought about, make a selection Fast Motion because the workflow sort.
  3. Upload a “Run Shell Script” Motion: Seek for “Run Shell Script” within the left sidebar, drag it into the workflow house, and paste this script:
    chflags hidden "$@"
  4. Save the Workflow: Pass to Record > Save and title your workflow (e.g., “Cover Folder”).
  5. Use the Fast Motion: Proper-click the folder you wish to have to cover, move to Fast Movements, and make a selection your script (e.g., “Cover Folder”).
The way to Unhide the Folder

Create a 2d Automator script to toggle visibility again:

  1. Repeat the stairs above, however use this shell script as a substitute:
  2. chflags nohidden "$@"
  3. Save the workflow as “Unhide Folder.”
  4. Proper-click the hidden folder, move to Fast Movements, and make a selection “Unhide Folder.”

This technique is handy for widespread hiding and unhiding of folders without having to manually use Terminal.

8. Cover a Folder by way of Growing an Encrypted Disk Symbol

You’ll be able to securely conceal a folder by way of storing it in an encrypted disk symbol. This technique supplies each privateness and safety. Right here’s how:

  1. Open Disk Software: Press Command + Area, sort Disk Software, and press Input.
  2. Create a New Disk Symbol: Click on Record > New Symbol > Clean Symbol. Within the conversation field, set those key choices:
    Identify Identify the disk symbol
    Measurement Make a selection a dimension on your folder’s contents
    Structure Set to Mac OS Prolonged (Journaled)
    Encryption Make a choice 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption
    Password Create a protected password
    Symbol Structure Set to Learn/Write
  3. Save and Mount the Disk Symbol: Click on Save, then double-click the disk symbol record to mount it as a digital power.
  4. Transfer Your Folder Into the Disk Symbol: Drag the folder into the fixed disk symbol, then eject to protected the contents.
The way to Get right of entry to the Folder
  1. Double-click the disk symbol record and input the password to mount it.
  2. Get right of entry to the contents as you might with some other power.

This technique guarantees your folder is each hidden and encrypted, making it preferrred for delicate recordsdata.

The publish The way to Cover a Folder on Mac gave the impression first on Hongkiat.

WordPress Website Development Source: https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/how-to-hide-a-folder-on-mac/

[ continue ]