On Steam, hiding games from your public profile lets you control visibility for your library, achievements, and playtime. This evergreen guide explains how to hide games using the hidden games list and private profile settings, why players hide titles, and what remains visible to friends and the community. You can manage privacy for your entire Steam account or specific titles, whether you want a completely private profile or selective hiding of specific games. The steps below apply to the Steam client on Windows, macOS, and the Steam Deck, and the process is consistent across versions.
What it means to hide games on Steam
Hiding games on Steam means removing specific titles from your public profile so other users cannot see you own or play them. Hidden games do not appear in your public library, and their achievements and playtime are excluded from your public stats by default. Hiding is reversible, and you can choose to hide individual games or make your entire profile private. Note that hiding a game affects visibility for friends and the community, but it does not affect your saves, cloud sync, or owned status unless you change broader profile privacy settings.
Hidden games vs private profiles
| Setting | Effect on game visibility | Effect on achievements/playtime | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden games list | Selected games are hidden from your public library | Hidden by default from public stats (configurable) | Hide specific titles while keeping the rest public |
| Private profile | Entire library and activity are private | All stats are private by default | Keep your entire profile and play history private |
Why players hide games on Steam
Players hide games for privacy, to avoid unwanted comparisons, or to keep certain purchases or play habits confidential. Hiding can reduce clutter on a public profile, prevent spoilers, or help users separate niche interests from a main public identity. In shared households or on public PCs, hiding games also prevents others on the same account from seeing your library. Understanding how hiding interacts with friends, achievements, and playtime helps you choose the right approach for your Steam account.
Prepare before hiding games on Steam
Before hiding games, confirm whether you want to hide individual titles or make your whole profile private. Check whether you want achievements and playtime hidden for specific games, and review how this affects your Steam Community activity. If you plan to share a device, consider using Steam Family View or account restrictions in addition to hiding. Back up any local saves if you rely on local files, and note that hidden games remain owned and installed unless you uninstall them.
How to hide individual games in your Steam library
To hide a single game, open your Steam library, right-click the title, point to Hide, then select Hide from the list. The game moves to your hidden games list and no longer appears publicly. You can unhide it later from the same menu by selecting Manage hidden games. Hidden titles remain in your owned games and can be installed and played normally, but they are excluded from public views by default.
Step-by-step: Hide a game
- Open your Steam library.
- Right-click the game you want to hide.
- Select Hide from the context menu.
- Confirm the action when prompted.
- Find the game in your hidden games list if needed.
Manage hidden games and unhide titles
To review or unhide titles, click your profile name in the top-right of the Steam window, choose Manage Hidden Games, then uncheck games you want to make visible again. You can unhide all at once or select specific titles. Changes apply immediately, and unhidden games return to your public library based on your profile’s privacy settings.
How to set a private profile on Steam
A private profile hides your entire library, friends list, achievements, and playtime from non-Steam friends and the public community. To enable it, open Steam Settings, go to Social, then toggle Private Profile. When your profile is private, all games are effectively hidden unless you explicitly make your profile public again. This is useful if you want complete privacy rather than managing individual hides, but it also hides visible status, reviews, and shared game details even for people you know.
Private profile checklist
- Limits visibility of your full library and activity
- Hides achievements and playtime from public view
- Friends must send and accept invites to see more details
- Reversible anytime in Settings > Social
Shared and family devices: additional privacy tips
On shared PCs or consoles like Steam Deck, hiding games is one layer of privacy. For stronger protection, enable Steam Family View, set account restrictions, and manage what others can see or purchase. Use distinct accounts for different users and log out when not in use. Remember that local install folders and save files can remain on the device even if a game is hidden, so consider file system permissions or encryption for highly sensitive titles.
How hiding interacts with friends, achievements, and playtime
Hiding a game on Steam hides it from your public profile but does not automatically remove it from your friends’ lists unless they own or are playing it. By default, hidden titles are excluded from public achievements and playtime, and they typically do not appear in public game charts. Friends can still discover some activity through mutual groups, shared sessions, or if you interact in titles that are not hidden and your settings allow it. Community features like reviews and guides may be affected if your profile is private or if individual games are hidden.
Troubleshooting common issues when hiding games
If a game remains visible after hiding, check whether your profile is public and confirm the hide action completed. Some installed games may still appear to others if you’re in a shared session or party, and certain features like recent activity can surface titles in limited contexts. If hidden games show in unexpected places, review your profile privacy, shared computer settings, and third-party overlays or apps that may read Steam data. Restarting the client or reapplying the hide action can resolve inconsistencies.
Conclusion
Hiding games on Steam gives you control over which titles appear on your profile and how much playdata is public. Use the hidden games list for selective privacy, or switch to a private profile for account-wide control. Remember that hidden games remain owned and playable, and changes are reversible. For shared devices, combine hiding with Family View and account restrictions for layered privacy. With these methods, you can manage your Steam library visibility reliably over time.