Muhammad Furqan
How to hide desktop icons on Mac? The last thing I want to see on my Mac is a cluttered desktop. However, I frequently have to cope with the messed-up display. I frequently save files to the desktop so that I can find them more easily. And if I don’t clean them up quickly enough, they build up and clutter the entire screen. Fortunately, I’ve put together some simple ways to conceal desktop icons on Mac to get rid of the mess right now. Let’s give it a shot!
Table of Contents
How to hide desktop icons on Mac?
Here is the list of 3 methods to hide desktop icons on Mac:
Method #1. By using Terminal
- Open Terminal on your Mac.
- Enter the following command now: defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool false
- After you’ve entered the first command, copy and paste the second one: killall Finder
- Then press the Enter key. Voila! There will be no files on the screen if you look at the desktop.
However, if you ever want to see them again, simply type the following command:
defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool true; killall Finder
Method #2. By using HiddenMe to hide desktop icons on Mac
If you’d rather not use Terminal to hide your desktop icons, there’s a software called HiddenMe that can help. Furthermore, it is free and functions as a native Mac feature.
- First, install HiddenMe on your computer and run it.
- Look for a circle icon in the menu bar now. Select Hide Desktop Icons after clicking on it.
- All of the files will now be removed from the screen. To restore them, click the circle symbol and then select Show Desktop Icons.
Method #3. By using Stacks
In macOS Mojave, Apple added a new Stacks feature that allows users to keep their desktops neat and tidy.
So, how does this feature function? It basically sorts all of the files into file kinds and then places them on the screen’s right side. You can, however, stack them depending on the date added, date edited, and other criteria.
To use it, go to the View menu and choose Use Stacks. To sort or group stacks according to your preferences, right-click on the desktop and select Sort stacks by/Group stacks.
