How to hide desktop icons without using Terminal

How-to
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Mac Big Sur Remove Desktop Icons Hero
Mac Big Sur Remove Desktop Icons Hero (Image credit: Bryan M. Wolfe / iMore)

Solutions like Stacks have made it easier to organize the Mac desktop. There are times, however, when you might want to take this organization to a new level. By using any one of a number of third-party apps, you can quickly remove or hide desktop icons on macOS. Or you can use Terminal, as you'll learn below.

Third-party solutions for hiding desktop icons on macOS

We've uncovered two very solid apps on the Mac App Store to help you remove and hide desktop icons on macOS.

Hiddenme icon
HiddenMe


One step and you can remove all the icons from your desktop. Upgrade to the Pro edition to unlock multi-displays support.

Desktop Icons Hider icon
Desktop Icons Hider


The appropriately named app is highly rated and lets you remove your icons from multiple displays at the same time

Using Terminal to remove or hide desktop icons on macOS

You don't have to be a computer programmer or wizard to use Terminal, as long as you know the right commands. The steps to remove or hide desktop icons on macOS with the built-in tool are as follows:

  1. Click on a space on your Home screen to ensure that no program is selected.
  2. Make sure that Finder is displayed in the far left corner of the menu bar.
  3. Click on Go.

To bring up Terminal on your Mac, click on an empty space on your Home screen, then click Go on the Finder bar. Select Utilities, then double-click Terminal. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select Utilities.
  2. Scroll down and double-click on Terminal when the Utilities window pops up.

To bring up Terminal on your Mac, Select Utilities, then double-click Terminal. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Type defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop false.
  2. Press Return.

To bring up Terminal on your Mac, type defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop false, then hit Return. (Image credit: iMore)

(You can copy the text above and paste it into Terminal if you'd prefer not to type it out.)

From there, you must now restart Finder:

  1. In Terminal, type killall Finder.
  2. Press Return.

To restart Finder, in Terminal type killall Finder, then press Return. (Image credit: iMore)

The icons have now been removed from your Mac desktop.

Mac Big Sur Desktop Without Icons (Image credit: iMore)

Using Terminal to bring back the desktop icons on macOS

Once you're ready to see your icons return to the Mac desktop, follow these steps.

  1. Click on a space on your Home screen to ensure that no program is selected.
  2. Make sure that Finder is displayed in the far left corner of the menu bar.
  3. Click on Go.

To bring up Terminal on your Mac, click on an empty space on your Home screen, then click Go on the Finder bar. Select Utilities, then double-click Terminal. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select Utilities.
  2. Scroll down and double-click on Terminal when the Utilities window pops up.

To bring up Terminal on your Mac, Select Utilities, then double-click Terminal. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Type defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop true.
  2. Press Return.

To bring up Terminal on your Mac, type defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop true, then hit Return (Image credit: iMore)

(You can copy the text above and paste it into Terminal if you'd prefer not to type it out.)

From there, you must now restart Finder:

  1. In Terminal, type killall Finder.
  2. Press Return.

To restart Finder, in Terminal type killall Finder, then press Return. (Image credit: iMore)

The icons have been returned to your Mac desktop.

Mac Big Sur Desktop With Icons (Image credit: iMore)

Questions?

Do you have any questions about macOS or Terminal? Let us know in the comments below.

Bryan M Wolfe
Bryan M Wolfe
Staff Writer

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.