Hider 2
Hider 2 is a file encryption and privacy utility for macOS distributed via the Mac App Store. It allows users to securely encrypt and hide sensitive files on their Mac by storing them in an encrypted container, preventing unauthorized access via Finder or command-line tools. The app uses Apple's native CommonCrypto framework for encryption and integrates with macOS's file system through official APIs, avoiding kernel extensions and maintaining compatibility with Apple Silicon. It is designed for users who want to protect sensitive documents, media and personal data from casual browsing or accidental exposure.
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1 suggestionHider 2 ships as a native Universal Binary compiled for Apple Silicon, so it already runs natively on M-series Macs without any Rosetta 2 translation. However, there is an important caveat: MacPaw ended active support and development of Hider 2 in 2020, and the app is no longer being updated with new features or security patches. While it continues to function today under Rosetta on Intel Macs and natively on Apple Silicon, its abandoned status means no fixes will arrive if critical vulnerabilities are discovered or if compatibility issues emerge with future macOS releases. Given that Apple is removing Rosetta 2 in macOS 28 (September 2028), and Hider 2 is no longer maintained, you should plan to migrate to an actively maintained alternative before then. F-Vault is a modern successor app that offers similar file encryption and vault functionality, runs natively on Apple Silicon, and is under active development. The F-Vault website provides detailed instructions for securely migrating encrypted files from Hider 2, making the transition straightforward. If you need continued security and privacy tool support beyond 2028, switching to an actively maintained app now is a prudent step.
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