How to Hide Obsidian on Mac

Hide Obsidian so it disappears from the Dock, Launchpad, Spotlight and the Applications folder until you bring it back. Four steps, about a minute.

Hide Obsidian on Mac, step by step

Download Cloak from trycloak.app and open it. Set up Touch ID or a password the first time it asks. There is no account.
Click the plus button under Hidden apps, tick Obsidian, and click Hide.
Check the Dock, Launchpad and Spotlight. Obsidian is gone from all of them.
To use Obsidian again, open Cloak, pass Touch ID, and click Unhide. Hide it again when you are done.

Hiding does not delete anything. Obsidian and all its data sit inside an encrypted image on your Mac and come back exactly as they were.

Who this is for

For freelancers and employees who keep client or company material in Obsidian on a Mac that family or visitors also use.

What macOS can't do on its own

macOS cannot hide an app. You can drag Obsidian off the Dock, but it still shows in Launchpad, in Spotlight and in the Applications folder, and its notifications still show its name. Cloak moves Obsidian into an encrypted image, so it is gone from all of those places until you bring it back.

Why hide Obsidian at all

Locking an app stops people opening it, but the icon and notifications still announce that Obsidian is on your Mac. Sometimes you want the opposite: for Obsidian to simply not appear to exist. Obsidian vaults store raw, unfiltered notes and daily journals, the kind of writing that is honest precisely because no one else sees it.

Why hiding beats Obsidian's own settings

A workspace tool might log you out after hours of inactivity, but that does nothing for the laptop you stepped away from for two minutes. A Mac-level lock is instant and applies the moment the app is launched, regardless of any in-app session. Hiding goes one step further than locking: instead of showing a locked door, Obsidian is not visible at all, which is often the more discreet choice on a shared Mac.

Frequently asked questions

Does hiding Obsidian delete it or my data?

No. Hiding only removes Obsidian from view. The app and all of its data are kept inside an encrypted image on your Mac, and everything returns the moment you unhide it.

Can someone still find Obsidian in Finder?

No. Cloak moves Obsidian into an encrypted image, so it is not in the Applications folder, Launchpad or Spotlight. Without your Touch ID or password the image cannot be opened.

Will hidden Obsidian still receive messages or updates in the background?

No. A hidden app is not running, so it cannot show notifications or update itself until you unhide it. Cloak asks Obsidian to quit before hiding it, so you will not lose unsaved work.

How to hide Obsidian on your Mac