Have you ever hidden a game on Steam just to keep things tidy, then totally forgot how to make it reappear? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Whether you hid a game by accident or just changed your mind, unhiding it isn’t hard at all. In fact, it just takes a few clicks. Let’s walk through it together.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
To unhide a game on Steam, go to your Library and use the filter to select Hidden. Right-click on the game you want to unhide, choose Manage, and then click Remove from Hidden. That’s it! Your game will pop right back into your main library.
Why Hide Games on Steam in the First Place?
Let’s face it: some libraries are massive. Like, hundreds-of-games massive. You might want to hide:
- Games you don’t play anymore
- Titles you’re embarrassed about (no judgment!)
- Early Access games you want to return to later
But sometimes… you want them back.
Here’s How to Unhide Games on Steam
The process is quick and easy. Follow these simple steps:
-
Open Steam
Launch the Steam app on your PC or Mac. Make sure you’re logged in. -
Go to Your Library
Click on Library from the top navigation bar. This shows all your games. -
Find the Hidden Section
On the sidebar where your games are listed, look for a category called Hidden. Sometimes it’s under Collections or at the bottom. -
Click on “Hidden”
You’ll now see all the games you’ve hidden from your main Library. -
Right-Click the Game
Find the game you want to unhide, right-click on it, go to Manage in the context menu. -
Select “Remove from Hidden”
Click this option, and boom—the game is unhidden! It instantly goes back to your regular library.
That’s it. Seriously. You’re done.
Extra Tips and Tricks
If you want to get fancier with how you sort or manage your games, here are a few bonus tricks:
Create a Custom Collection
Instead of hiding games, you can create a “Later” category or a “Hidden Gems” list. Just right-click any game and choose Add to → New Collection.
Use the Filter Bar
At the top of your game list, you can filter by:
- Installed/Not Installed
- Recent Playtime
- Alphabetical Order
This can save you time digging through dozens of titles.
What About Games in Family View?
Games may also be hidden if Family View is on. To check this:
- Go to Steam → Settings
- Select Family
- Check if Family View is enabled; if so, disable it and your games might appear
Mobile vs. Desktop—Can You Unhide on the Steam Mobile App?
Short answer: Nope! The Steam mobile app is useful, but as of now, it doesn’t let you manage hidden games. For that, you need to use the Steam desktop app on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
What If You Can’t Find the Hidden Category?
Sometimes the Hidden section doesn’t show up automatically. Here’s how to reveal it:
- Click the search/filter box just above your game list
- Select Advanced Filters
- Check the box labeled Hidden
Now the Hidden games category will appear on the left side of your Library, along with everything else.
Why Can’t I Unhide a Game?
If the steps above aren’t working, don’t panic. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:
- Outdated Steam Client: Make sure you have the latest version of Steam.
- Multiple Accounts: You could be logged into a different Steam account than the one with the game.
- Game Removed or Refunded: If the game was refunded or removed, it may not appear at all.
- Family View Restrictions: Double-check your Family View settings.
A Word on Game Privacy
Hiding a game in Steam only hides it from your own library view. It does not hide your playtime or activity from friends. To make your profile more private:
- Go to Steam → Profile
- Click Edit Profile
- Choose Privacy Settings
- Set your Game Details to Private
This way, others won’t see what you’re playing or how long you’ve played it. Perfect for those guilty-pleasure titles!
Let’s Recap!
Here’s a quick summary of everything we’ve covered:
- Open Steam and go to your Library
- Find the Hidden section in the sidebar
- Right-click any hidden game
- Select Manage → Remove from Hidden
- Your game is back in your regular list!
Final Thoughts
Steam gives you a lot of ways to manage your game library. Whether you’re curating it for minimalism or trying to clean up the chaos, knowing how to hide and unhide games is a great trick to have up your sleeve.
And remember: just because a game is hidden doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. It’s just taking a nap—until you bring it back to life with a couple of clicks!
Happy gaming!