Steam hides games from your library by default, and you can unhide them in a few clicks
Steam lets you hide games from your library — usually because you own something you don't want visible on your profile, or because you're testing a game and don't want it cluttering your main list. Once hidden, these games don't appear in your library view, but they're still yours. You can find them again by changing a single setting in your library.
The hidden games are stored in Steam's system; they haven't been deleted or removed from your account. You just need to tell Steam to show them again. This takes less than a minute and works the same way whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Key Takeaways
- Hidden games are still in your Steam account but don't show up in your normal library view until you unhide them.
- You can unhide all hidden games at once by checking a box in your library settings, or unhide individual games one at a time.
- The setting to show hidden games is in your Steam client under View Options, not in your account settings on the website.
- Games you've hidden stay hidden across all your devices until you change the setting — hiding is tied to your account, not your computer.
How to show all hidden games at once
Open your Steam client and go to your Library. In the top right corner of the library window, click the View options button — it looks like a funnel icon. A dropdown menu will appear with several checkboxes.
Look for the option that says Include hidden games and check the box next to it. Your hidden games will now appear in your library list, usually at the bottom or in a separate section depending on how you've sorted your games. Once you check this box, hidden games stay visible until you uncheck it again.
If you want to keep hidden games visible but organize them separately, you can sort your library by Status — this groups hidden games together so they're easy to find without mixing them into your main list.
How to unhide individual games
If you only want to unhide one or two games instead of showing all of them, you can do this from the game's library page. First, make sure Include hidden games is checked in View options so you can see the hidden game you want to unhide.
Right-click on the hidden game in your library and select Manage, then choose Hide this game. The checkmark next to "Hide this game" will disappear, and the game will move back into your normal library view. You can repeat this for each game you want to unhide one at a time.
Why games get hidden and how to hide them again
Games are usually hidden because someone on the account chose to hide them — either to clean up the library or because they didn't want the game visible on their profile. You might hide a game if you own something you rarely play, if you're testing a game before deciding whether to keep it, or if you share your account with someone else and want to keep certain games private.
To hide a game, right-click it in your library, select Manage, and check the box next to Hide this game. The game will disappear from your library view immediately, though it stays in your account. You can unhide it the same way — by unchecking that box.
What happens to hidden games when you share your library
If you use Steam's Family Library Sharing feature, hidden games are hidden from the other person's view as well. They won't see the game in their library, even though it's in your account. This is useful if you want to keep certain games private while sharing others.
If you unhide a game, it becomes visible to anyone using Family Library Sharing on that account. The person borrowing your library will see it in their own library list and can play it if you've set up sharing permissions to allow it.
Hidden games still count toward your playtime and achievements
Hiding a game doesn't change how Steam tracks it. Your playtime still counts, achievements still unlock, and the game still appears in your total game count on your profile — hiding only removes it from your visual library list. Other people can still see that you own the game if they visit your profile and look at your full game list, depending on your privacy settings.
If you want to keep a game completely private from your profile, you'll need to adjust your profile privacy settings on the Steam website, not just hide it from your library. Hiding is a library organization tool, not a privacy tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide games on the Steam website instead of the client?
No, the hide and unhide options are only available in the Steam client application. You can't manage hidden games from the Steam website. You need to use the Steam client on your computer, phone, or another device where you've installed it.
Will hidden games show up if someone else logs into my account?
Yes. Hidden games are hidden based on your account settings, not on a specific device. If someone else logs into your Steam account on any computer, they'll see the same hidden games unless they change the View options setting. If you want to keep games private from other people, adjust your profile privacy settings on the Steam website.
What if I can't find the View options button in my library?
The View options button is in the top right corner of your library window, next to the search bar. It looks like a funnel or filter icon. If you're using an older version of the Steam client, it might be labeled differently — look for any icon that looks like it controls how your list is displayed. Update your Steam client if the button doesn't appear where described.
Do hidden games take up storage space on my computer?
Hidden games that are installed still take up the same disk space as any other installed game. Hiding a game from your library doesn't uninstall it. If you want to free up space, you need to uninstall the game separately — right-click it and select Manage, then Uninstall.