Third-party folder hiding software for Macbook Air

Each user on the machine should have their own user account. Anything in an individual's home directory is visible only to that user... No need to go to extremes to 'hide a folder'. Just don't let anyone else log in with your user account.

You can use the command line to set the hidden flag on the folder. In the following command template replace "<folder-file>" with the path to the file or folder you want to hide. The easiest way to get the correct path is by typing the first part of the command making sure to have at least one space after "hidden", then drag & drop the item from the Finder onto the open Terminal window.

chflags  hidden  <folder-file>

To be able to see your hidden folder in the Finder, you will need to use the following key combination to toggle showing & hiding hidden items: Shift + Command + Dot/Period

If you want to return the file/folder to its original state, you just add "no" to the hidden flag like:

chflags  nohidden  <folder-file>

Liza1948 wrote:

Thank you. My purpose is other than you suggest. I need to hide a folder.

If you can access an item even when hidden, then anyone with access to your unlocked macOS user account can also access the hidden items. How? How about the "Recents" list? Or the Open/Save dialogs which default to accessing the last location accessed. Plus just pressing Shift + Command + Dot/Period can easily toggle to show & hide hidden items.

Lock the system when you step away from it. Command + Control + Q allows you to quickly lock the computer or you can use a Hot Corner to lock the system.

@KiltedTim is correct.