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Unveiling Your Hidden Treasures: A Comprehensive Guide to Showing Hidden Games in Your Library

So, you’ve got a sneaking suspicion that some of your beloved games are playing hide-and-seek in your digital library? Don’t fret! This is a surprisingly common issue, and thankfully, it’s usually a cinch to fix. The solution depends on the platform you’re using, but the general principle is the same: access the hidden games filter and toggle it off to reveal your full collection.

How to Show Hidden Games: Platform-Specific Guides

Here’s a breakdown of how to show hidden games in the most popular gaming libraries:

Steam:

Launch Steam.
At the top of the Steam client, click “View”.
In the dropdown menu, select “Hidden Games”. This will display only the games you’ve previously hidden.
To unhide a game, right-click on its title in the Hidden Games list.
Hover over “Manage” in the context menu.
Click “Remove from hidden”. This will restore the game to your regular library view.

Origin (EA App):

Open the EA App.
Go to “My Collection”.
In the upper right corner, click on “Filter”.
Find the “Hidden Games” filter.
If the “Hidden Games” filter is activated, simply deactivate it. This should immediately show your formerly hidden games.

PlayStation (PS4/PS5):

PlayStation doesn’t have a specific “hidden games” feature in the same way as Steam or Origin. However, games can appear locked or missing due to licensing issues, account problems, or download errors. If you’re missing a game, consult the FAQ section below addressing locked games and download problems.

Android (App Library):

Accessing the app drawer.
Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner.
Select Home Screen Settings
Select Hide apps.

Now that your hidden games are brought into the light, it’s a great time to explore new adventures. Gaming is not just a past-time but also a learning environment as explored by the Games Learning Society with more information available at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Showing Hidden Games

This section is designed to address common questions and troubleshooting steps related to finding and revealing hidden games in your various game libraries.

1. How do I know if I have games hidden on Steam?

The easiest way to check is to follow the steps above to access the “Hidden Games” view in the Steam client. If that section is empty, you don’t have any currently hidden games.

2. Why would I hide a game in the first place?

There are several reasons why you might hide a game:

Organization: To declutter your library and focus on games you’re currently playing or interested in.
Privacy: To prevent others from seeing games you’ve purchased or played, especially if you share a Steam account or computer.
Accident: Sometimes games get hidden accidentally due to misclicks or software glitches.

3. I unhid a game on Steam, but it still doesn’t show up in my main library. What gives?

Check your Steam Library filter settings. At the top of your library view, there are filters that allow you to sort games by various criteria (installed, ready to play, etc.). Make sure you haven’t accidentally selected a filter that excludes the game you’re looking for. Select the “All Games” filter.
Restart Steam. Sometimes a simple restart of the Steam client can resolve display issues.
Verify the game cache. Right-click the game in your library, go to “Properties,” then “Local Files,” and click “Verify integrity of game files.” This will check for and repair any corrupted game files.

4. I’m sure I own a game, but it’s not in my Steam library at all. What should I do?

Confirm you’re logged into the correct Steam account. This is the most common reason for missing games.
Check your Steam purchase history. Log into your Steam account through a web browser and navigate to your account details. Verify that the game is listed in your purchase history.
Contact Steam Support. If you’ve confirmed you own the game and are logged into the correct account, contact Steam Support for assistance. They can investigate the issue and help you recover your missing game.

5. Why are games in my Playstation library locked?

If you see a padlock icon next to your purchased content on PlayStation, it usually indicates a licensing or account issue:

Account Activation: Ensure that your account is activated as the primary account on your PlayStation console. On PS5, activate Console Sharing and Offline Play. On PS4, activate the console as your primary PS4.
Download the Content: Make sure you’ve fully downloaded and installed the game content.
Subscription Issues: Verify that your PlayStation Plus subscription (if required for the game) is active and up to date.

6. How do I force Steam to update?

Steam typically updates automatically, but you can force an update by:

Closing Steam completely. Make sure the Steam icon is not running in the system tray (lower right corner of your screen).
Restarting Steam. When you relaunch Steam, it will automatically check for and install any available updates.

7. My Steam library and store are not showing. What’s happening?

This could be due to a number of factors:

Check Your Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is essential for Steam to function correctly.
Restart the Steam Client: Closing and reopening Steam can often resolve temporary glitches.
Steam Server Status: Check the Steam server status online to see if there are any known outages or maintenance periods affecting access.
Run Steam as Administrator: Right-click the Steam shortcut and select “Run as administrator.” This can sometimes resolve permission issues.
Close Unused Background Tasks: Excessive background processes can interfere with Steam’s performance. Close any unnecessary programs.

8. How do I add a non-Steam game to my Steam library?

Launch Steam.
Click the “Games” menu at the top.
Choose “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library…”
A list of programs on your computer will appear. Check the box next to the game(s) you want to add.
Click “Add Selected Programs”.

9. My apps disappeared from my Android home screen! Where did they go?

Check the App Library (if your Android version has one). Some Android launchers have an App Library where less frequently used apps are stored.
Restart Your Phone: A simple restart can often fix temporary software glitches.
Reinstall the App: The app may have been accidentally uninstalled. Reinstall it from the Google Play Store.
Enable the App (if disabled): Go to your phone’s Settings, then Apps. Look for the missing app in the list. If it says “Disabled,” tap it and then tap “Enable.”

10. How do I restore hidden icons on Android?

Open the App Drawer.
Tap the three dots (or a similar menu icon) in the upper-right corner.
Look for options like “Home Screen Settings,” “Hide Apps,” or “App Drawer Settings.” The exact wording may vary depending on your Android launcher.
If you find a “Hide Apps” option, tap it. You should see a list of hidden apps. Simply uncheck the box next to the apps you want to restore.

11. What is a “hidden app icon” on Android?

A “hidden app icon” refers to an app that has been intentionally hidden from the home screen and app drawer, making it less visible. This can be achieved through built-in Android features (on some versions) or using third-party launcher apps.

12. How do I unhide games on my iPhone?

If an app is missing from your Home Screen:

Check the App Library: Swipe left past your last Home Screen to access the App Library. Apps are automatically organized into categories.
Search for the App: Use the search bar at the top of the App Library to find the missing game.
Add to Home Screen: Tap and hold the app icon, then select “Add to Home Screen”.

13. Can PlayStation remove games from my library?

Generally, PlayStation does not remove games from your library after you’ve purchased them. However, there are exceptions:

Game Trials/Demos: Some games are offered as limited-time trials. These will disappear from your library once the trial period expires.
Licensing Agreements: In rare cases, a game might be removed due to changes in licensing agreements between the publisher and Sony.

14. Why can’t I download a game from my library on PS4?

Check Storage Space: Ensure you have enough free storage space on your PS4’s hard drive to accommodate the game.
Check Download Queue: Verify that the download is not paused or stuck in the download queue.
Network Connection: Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
PlayStation Network Status: Check the PlayStation Network status to see if there are any known outages.

15. Where else can I go for help with Steam Library issues?

The Steam Support website is your best resource for comprehensive troubleshooting and assistance with Steam-related issues. It offers detailed articles, FAQs, and a way to contact Steam Support directly.

How do I show hidden games in my library?