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.
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:
- Open Terminal: Press Command + Area to open Highlight Seek, sort Terminal, and hit Input.
- 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
- 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. - 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:
- Open Terminal.
- Run this command:
- Press Input. The folder will reappear in Finder.
chflags nohidden foldername
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:
- Find the Folder: Open Finder and navigate to the folder you wish to have to cover.
- 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. - 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:
- Press Command + Shift + . (duration). This toggles hidden recordsdata off and on.
- 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:
- Rename the folder and take away the duration initially of its title.
- 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:
- Get right of entry to the Hidden Library Folder: Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, sort
~/Library
, and press Input. - 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.
- 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
- Open Finder and move to your house listing (click on Pass > House).
- Click on View within the menu bar and make a selection Display View Choices.
- 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.
- Find the Folder: Proper-click the folder you wish to have to cover and make a selection Get Data.
- 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.
- 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
- Proper-click the folder and make a selection Get Data.
- Free up the Sharing & Permissions segment by way of clicking the lock icon and getting into your password.
- Alternate “everybody” again to Learn & Write or the suitable surroundings.
- 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:
- Find the Folder: In finding the folder you wish to have to cover in Finder.
- 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
. - 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
- Double-click the `.zip` record to extract its contents again into the unique folder.
- 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:
- Find the Folder: In finding the folder you wish to have to cover in Finder.
- 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: RenameMyFolder
toMyFolder.pkg
. - 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
- Proper-click the folder and make a selection Rename once more.
- Take away the faux record extension (e.g., exchange
MyFolder.pkg
again toMyFolder
). - 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:
- Open Automator: Press Command + Area, sort Automator, and press Input.
- Create a New Workflow: When brought about, make a selection Fast Motion because the workflow sort.
- 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 "$@"
- Save the Workflow: Pass to Record > Save and title your workflow (e.g., “Cover Folder”).
- Use the Fast Motion: Proper-click the folder you wish to have to cover, move to Fast Movements, and make a selection your script (e.g., “Cover Folder”).
The way to Unhide the Folder
Create a 2d Automator script to toggle visibility again:
- Repeat the stairs above, however use this shell script as a substitute:
- Save the workflow as “Unhide Folder.”
- Proper-click the hidden folder, move to Fast Movements, and make a selection “Unhide Folder.”
chflags nohidden "$@"
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:
- Open Disk Software: Press Command + Area, sort Disk Software, and press Input.
- 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 - Save and Mount the Disk Symbol: Click on Save, then double-click the disk symbol record to mount it as a digital power.
- 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
- Double-click the disk symbol record and input the password to mount it.
- 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.
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