Want to keep your gaming library a secret from your friends on Steam? Whether you're embarrassed about your backlog of casual games or simply prefer to keep your gaming habits private, this guide will show you how to effectively hide games from your friends list on Steam. We'll cover various methods and address common questions.
How to Hide Games on Steam from Your Friends?
The process of hiding games on Steam is thankfully straightforward. Here's how to do it:
- Open your Steam client: Launch the Steam application on your computer.
- Navigate to your games library: Click on your "Library" tab located in the top menu bar.
- Select "Games": In the left-hand menu, choose "Games."
- Right-click on the game you wish to hide: A context menu will appear.
- Select "Set categories": This option will allow you to add or modify the game's category.
- Check the "Hide this game in my library" box: This is the crucial step. Once checked, the game will be hidden from your friends' view.
- Click "OK": Your game is now successfully hidden!
What Happens When You Hide a Game on Steam?
Hiding a game on Steam means it will no longer be visible to your friends in your game library. They won't see it listed when they view your profile or game activity. However, it's important to note that:
- You can still play the game: Hiding a game doesn't prevent you from launching and playing it. It only affects its visibility to your friends.
- Achievements are still visible (partially): While the game itself might be hidden, achievements earned in that hidden game might still appear in your overall achievement list, depending on your privacy settings. We'll discuss this further below.
- Game activity is not hidden: If you choose to share your activity publicly on Steam, playing a hidden game will still be visible as "Playing a game." The title of the game, however, will not be displayed.
Can I Unhide Games on Steam?
Yes, absolutely! The process is just as easy as hiding them:
- Repeat steps 1-4 above: Go back to your Steam library, and right-click on the game you want to unhide.
- Select "Set categories": The same menu as before will appear.
- Uncheck the "Hide this game in my library" box: This will make the game visible again to your friends.
- Click "OK": Your game is now visible!
How to Control Other Privacy Settings on Steam
Beyond hiding individual games, you have other privacy settings to manage your Steam profile and activity:
- Profile Privacy: Adjust who can see your profile, your friends list, and your game details. This offers broader control over what information is publicly visible.
- Game Details Privacy: Control the visibility of your playtime, achievements, and other game-related details. This allows you to fine-tune how much information is shared about your gaming habits.
- Community Activity Privacy: Manage the sharing of your comments, screenshots, and other community interactions.
Why Would I Want to Hide Games on Steam?
Many reasons exist for wanting to hide games. Some common ones include:
- Privacy: Some people prefer to keep their gaming habits private and not share them with their friends.
- Embarrassment: You might have a backlog of games you haven't played or games you feel are less impressive compared to others in your library.
- Strategic Play: Perhaps you're participating in a challenge or competition and want to keep your progress secret.
How do I hide my games from specific friends, not all of them?
Unfortunately, Steam doesn't currently allow you to hide games from only some of your friends. The hide function applies to your entire friends list. If you wish to control visibility on a more granular level, you might need to adjust your overall Steam privacy settings (as mentioned above).
This comprehensive guide should provide you with all the information you need to manage your Steam game library's privacy effectively. Remember to adjust your settings to reflect your comfort level and preferences. Happy gaming!
