How to Password Protect a Folder on a MacBook Air

Digital privacy issues are a concern for everyone that spends time on the Internet. if you use an email account, or shop online, then you probably have sensitive information stored somewhere that you would like to keep safe. But online isn’t the only place where we keep important files and data, so you might be looking for a way to add some encryption to the files and folders that you keep on your laptop, too.

One way to do this is with a Mac program called Hider2. You can visit the Hider2 Web page and download the program there. It was developed by a company called MacPaw that makes a number of other useful Mac utilities as well. You can install Hider2 on your computer to create a vault where you put all of your important files and folders behind a password of your choosing. Hider2 will then let you toggle your the password protection on and off if you need to access the files and folders you have elected to password-protect. Then, once you’re done, simply lock the vault and no one will be able to view or edit the files you are protecting with Hider2.

How to Lock a Folder on a Mac

The steps below will show you how to use a program called Hider2 to add encryption to a folder on your Mac. You can read more about Hider2 and download it here. Once you have installed it on your MacBook you can follow the steps below to see how you can add password protection to a folder on your laptop.

Step 1: Open the Launchpad.

how to lock a folder on a macbook

Step 2: Click the Hider2 app icon.

require a password to view a folder on a macbook

Step 3: Click the Next button a few times until you get to a screen that says Create Vault. Here you will enter a password and make a few other choices about how your file vault will work. Once you’re done, click the Create Vault button.

how to password protect files and folders

Step 4: Choose a name and location for your Hider2 Vault, then click the Save Vault button.

macbook file and folder password protection

Step 5: Open Finder and browse to the folder that you want to password protect, then drag that folder to the arrow icon in the Hider2 window. You can also do this with a folder on your desktop.

how to encrypt a folder on a macbook

Any folders that you drag and drop into Hider will be hidden from their location. If you tap the Visible button next to the folder in the Hider2 application, the folder will be shown in its normal location. Once you are done adding folders to Hider2, click the Lock Hider button at the top of the window. The way that I use Hider2 is to always keep my folders hidden until I need them, then I make sure to hide them once I am done with them. This ensures that your important and sensitive information is always protected by the password that you created.

add password protection to files and folders on a mac

You can access your hidden, password-protected files later by launching Hider2, then entering your password and making the folder visible.

how to password protect a folder on a mac

Download Hider2 here if you are ready to start password protecting the files and folders on your MacBook.

Now that you know how to password protect a folder on your MacBook Air, you can comfortably store that information on your computer and keep it safe.

Do you need to free up space for new files and apps on your Mac? Learn how to delete junk files on a MacBook by removing files that you don’t need, or aren’t using anymore.

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