Are you looking for ways to hide a folder on Mac? This is something everyone has looked for at least once in their life. Do you have a secret file or folder on your computer? If you are saying yes in your mind while shaking your head, you are not alone. Everyone has confidential documents or embarrassing photos that they want to keep private. They want to keep it protected from prying eyes and even potential hackers.
Though the latter’s chances are pretty low, it is imperative to take the necessary steps. People who do not download applications from third-party sites or visit unauthorized sites are assumed to be safe from attacks. Everyone has a vice that needs to be protected. This is one of the controversial subjects in recent days. With the advent of the digital era, the privacy of individuals is severely compromised.
People have constantly been debating the effectiveness of the security measures of Apple Mac. Though the chances of data theft are relatively less for the typical person, it is not advisable to ignore them completely. Every individual must take the necessary precautions to protect their valuable data. Here are some tips to help you hide files and folders on Mac.
Also Read: How to Schedule your Mac to Turn Off and On Automatically
Hide in plain sight
One of the simplest ways to hide files on Mac is to name them differently. Most people use elaborate tags to name their documents. Though this can be effective for identification, it also makes them vulnerable. People can use standard and straightforward terms to name the file. They can even use codes that are not suspicious. The catch is that users must remember to retrieve the information to show hidden files.
Create a hidden folder
The Library folder is automatically hidden in the Mac desktops. This is an effective way to hide files Mac. People must know how to access the folder to move the files in this hidden place.
Finder’ Go Menu > Library > Create a folder or file
Users can also copy the files from their desktop or document. Finder is an application on Mac that allows people to find records and other essential data.
Try FileVault
FileVault is a data encryption feature that enables users to protect their information from unauthorized usage. This feature is available in most latest Apple Mac devices. Though the primary purpose is to protect the computer from online attacks, it can also be viable for saving documents and MacBook hidden files.
Enable Fire Vault: Apple Menu > System Preferences> Security >Enable FileVault.
There have been debates that this application can have a negative impact on performance. However, the newer versions are designed to manage them. It is also essential to choose the recovery method. The documents can be stored on iCloud. Users also have the option of generating a local recovery key.
Use Terminal
Terminal in Mac is similar to the command prompt in Windows. This application will accept text-based commands for different functionalities. This feature can be opened either way.
Finder > Applications Folder> Utility Folder
Click on the search icon on the Menu bar > input terminal.app > Enter
Spotlight can also be opened by pressing Command + Space
There are different methods to hide folder Mac in this application. Users must familiarize themselves with the codes to hide and unhide them. Some of them are quite simple, while others need some practice. Some of the common commands used to hide files and folders in Mac Terminal include
chflags hidden > enter folder path / Chflags unhidden > enter the folder path
mv filename .filename – This will add a period before the names. Mac OS X devices tend to hide file names beginning with a period automatically. However, this might not be compatible with all devices
mkdir. Hidden folder – This will create a hidden folder
The option is also to drag and drop the files into the terminal window. However, it is imperative to remember the path for hidden folders on MacBook.
Create a separate user account
Users can always create a new user to hide files Mac. This will allow them to retain all the essential information without additional measures. They have restricted access to this user and even have separate guidelines. You can also refer to our blogs on how to copy files and folders from one user to another. This option would be available for new users in System Preference > Users and Groups.
Apple Developer Tools
This application allows users to change the visibility attribute of the folder. People can hide the folder in this location and later retrieve it when needed. It is imperative to be cautious of remembering the commands and other essential data. It might become difficult to recover the information without this coordination.
Open Terminal > setfile –a V > File or Folder name – This will make the element invisible.
Open Terminal > setfile –a v > File or Folder name – This will restore the element’s visibility.
Use a third-party application.
Various third-party applications can allow Mac desktop users to hide their vital information. There are both paid and free versions available. Users can choose them based on their reviews and other essential guidelines. It is imperative to know in-depth about this information about the application. Some Apple Mac devices might not support specific applications. This will help to hide a folder in the machine.
One of the essential aspects of this feature is that people should never forget the file name to unhide the documents. There is a possibility of losing valuable data if the information is unclear. In that case, people can contact authorized service centers like Soldrit for assistance.