How To Unhide Games On Steam Deck

How to Unhide Games on Steam Deck

Have you ever looked at your Steam Deck library and thought, “Where did that game go?” Sometimes, games get hidden, and it can be a bit tricky to find them again. But don’t worry! It’s actually pretty easy to unhide your games once you know where to look. This guide will walk you through all the steps, so you can get back to playing your favorites in no time. We’ll explain different ways games can be hidden and how to bring them back into view. Whether you accidentally hid a game or just need to tidy up your library, we’ve got you covered.

Understanding Hidden Games on Steam

First things first, let’s understand what “hidden” means in Steam. It’s not like the game is deleted from your device; it’s just tucked away from your main library view. This feature helps keep your game list organized, especially if you have a lot of games. You might hide a game because you don’t play it often or because you want to keep some games separate from your main collection. Steam gives you a few ways to manage this, which we will go through step-by-step.

Why Games Get Hidden on Steam Deck

There are several reasons why a game might end up hidden on your Steam Deck:

• Accidental Hiding: It’s super easy to accidentally press the wrong button. Sometimes, a quick press of a button can hide a game, especially when you’re moving through menus quickly.
• Steam Library Organization: Steam offers ways to organize your game library, and hiding games is one option. You might have intentionally hidden games in the past, forgetting that you did so.
• Family Settings: If you’re sharing your Steam Deck, someone might have hidden games using family settings or restrictions.

Unhiding Games Directly from Your Steam Deck

The most common method to unhide games is right from your Steam Deck. This method is straightforward and usually works if you have only a few hidden games to find.

Accessing Your Steam Library

To begin, we need to get to your game library:

1. Turn on your Steam Deck.
2. From the main menu (or the Steam button), navigate to “Library.” This will show all of the games installed on your device.

Using the Filters Menu

Once in the library, use filters to display hidden games:

1. In the Library view, look for a “Filters” button or option. This is normally found at the top of the game list and looks like three horizontal lines or a funnel.
2. Select the “Filters” option.
3. A new menu will appear. Now, look for an option to show hidden games. It might be labeled as “Hidden” or “Show Hidden Games.” Click this option.

Finding and Unhiding Games

After applying the filter, you will now see your hidden games. Here’s how to unhide them:

1. Locate the game you want to unhide.
2. Select the game. You will see the game’s details page.
3. On the game page, there will be a “gear” icon or a menu represented by three dots (“…”). Click this icon to open a menu.
4. Look for the option labeled as “Manage” or something similar. Click that.
5. In the new list, you’ll see an option to “Unhide.” Select this option to bring the game back to your main library.

After selecting “Unhide,” the game should reappear in your regular library view. You can remove the “Hidden” filter by selecting the “Filters” button once again.

Unhiding Games Using Big Picture Mode

Big Picture Mode is Steam’s interface designed for TVs and controllers, but it is also available on the Steam Deck. It also offers a way to unhide games. This method can be helpful if you are more comfortable with the Big Picture layout.

Switching to Big Picture Mode

To get started, you will need to switch to Big Picture Mode:

1. Press the Steam button.
2. Select “Power” then, “Switch to Big Picture”.

Navigating to Your Library in Big Picture Mode

Once you’re in Big Picture Mode:

1. Use the navigation keys or touch controls to move to the “Library” option in the main menu.
2. Select “Library” and then select “Games”.

Finding Hidden Games in Big Picture Mode

In the game library, you will find a filters menu:

1. Look for the filters option which is usually labeled “Filters”, it’s usually above or below your games list.
2. Within the filter options, click on ‘Hidden’.
3. This will show only the games you have previously hidden.

Unhiding Games in Big Picture Mode

After you see your hidden games:

1. Select the game you want to unhide.
2. Go to “Manage” which is usually a symbol of three horizontal lines.
3. From the options, select “Unhide” to make the game visible in your regular library again.

You can exit Big Picture Mode by clicking the power button and selecting “Exit Big Picture Mode”. Your game will now be available in your main Steam Deck library.

Using the Steam Desktop Client to Unhide Games

The Steam Deck is also a full computer, which means you can use the Steam desktop client in “Desktop Mode.” If you are comfortable using the Steam desktop app and a mouse, this might be a preferred method.

Accessing Desktop Mode

To get to the Steam Desktop client:

1. Press the Steam button.
2. Select the “Power” option.
3. Choose “Switch to Desktop.”

Opening the Steam Desktop Client

Once you are in Desktop Mode:

1. Look for the Steam icon on the taskbar and click it to open the Steam Desktop client.

Navigating to Your Library

Within the Steam desktop client:

1. Click on “Library” at the top of the screen.
2. You’ll see a list of your games on the left panel.

Finding Hidden Games in the Desktop Client

Now, it’s time to locate your hidden games:

1. In your library, on the top of the screen just beneath the library title you’ll see “Games”, click that.
2. In the dropdown, find “Hidden”, click it.
3. You will now see all of the games that you previously hid.

Unhiding Games Through the Desktop Client

After finding your hidden games, you can unhide them:

1. Right click on the game you want to unhide.
2. A menu will appear. In this menu you’ll see an option to “Manage” or “Properties”. select this option.
3. In the newly appeared list, you will find the option to unhide the game. Click “Unhide” and the game will become visible again.

After unhiding all the games you want, you can close the steam desktop client, and return to Game Mode, by clicking on the shortcut on the desktop.

Steam Mobile App for Unhiding Games

If you have the Steam Mobile app on your phone, it also provides a way to manage your game library and unhide games. This method is convenient if you’re not directly using your Steam Deck.

Launching the Steam Mobile App

Make sure you have the Steam app installed on your phone and that you’re logged into the same Steam account you use on your Steam Deck.

Accessing Your Games Library

Once the app is open, find your games list:

1. Tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) usually at the top-left of the app.
2. Select “Library”.

Displaying Hidden Games on Mobile

Now, we’ll filter to show the hidden games:

1. At the top of the games list, select “Games”.
2. In the new dropdown, select the “Hidden” option.

Unhiding Games on the Steam Mobile App

To unhide a game, follow these steps:

1. Tap on the game you want to unhide to go to its details page.
2. Find the three dots (“…”) usually in the upper-right corner. Tap on these dots.
3. From the options, select “Manage”.
4. Click on “Unhide” to bring the game back into your main library.

Troubleshooting and Additional Tips

If you’re still having trouble finding your games, here are a few things you can try:

Restart Your Steam Deck

Sometimes, a simple restart can solve unexpected issues. Turn off your Steam Deck, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. This can often refresh the interface and make hidden games reappear.

Check Your Internet Connection

Make sure your Steam Deck is connected to the internet. A stable connection is required to properly sync your library and display all the games, including hidden ones.

Verify Steam Files

If a game doesn’t appear even after unhiding it, you might want to verify the integrity of the game files. This will check for and fix any errors with game installation. You can do this from the Steam Desktop client in the game’s properties menu.

Check Family Settings

If you share your Steam Deck with others, make sure family settings aren’t hiding games. You may need to adjust parental controls to make all games visible.

Contact Steam Support

If none of these steps work, contacting Steam support is another option. They can provide specific help tailored to your account.

Organizing Your Steam Library

Now that you have your games unhidden, let’s talk about organizing the library in a better way. Here are some tips for future library management on the Steam Deck:

• Categories: Create categories to group games by genre, type, or any other system you prefer. This can help keep your library clean and easy to navigate.
• Favorites: Mark your most-played games as favorites to find them quickly. This will allow you to easily see what is most important to you.
• Collections: Create collections to group games according to your specific preferences, such as “To Be Played” or “Finished”.
• Hiding Games Less Often: Consider using categories, collections, or the favorites system more and hiding games less. That way you can be sure to always see all of your games.

Using these features can keep your library organized, making it easier to find and play your favorite games on your Steam Deck.

Unhiding games on your Steam Deck is quite easy once you are familiar with the menus and options. By using the steps listed above, you can quickly recover your hidden games and get back to gaming. Remember, you have several methods available: the Steam Deck library, Big Picture Mode, the desktop client, or the mobile app. Explore these options and choose the method that best suits your needs. Keep your library tidy with collections and categories to avoid future confusion. Now that you know how to unhide games, your Steam Deck experience should be even more enjoyable!