How to Exclude Specific Folders and Files from Spotlight Search Results on Mac

By default, Spotlight shows search results from a variety of categories. While useful, this feature can become a privacy nightmare if you share your Mac with others, as your personal information may appear when they use Spotlight. Fortunately, you can configure what appears in Spotlight on your Mac to avoid this.

Hide results from specific categories

The easiest way to limit Spotlight results is to turn off unwanted categories. For example:

  • If you don't want your contacts to appear, you can hide the Contacts section .
  • Siri Suggestions can also be turned off to avoid showing frequently used apps or recent contacts.

How to do:

  1. Open System Settings .
  2. Select Spotlight from the left sidebar.
  3. Uncheck the categories you don't want to display.

How to Exclude Specific Folders and Files from Spotlight Search Results on Mac

If you want to restore it later, just check the corresponding box again.

Prevent Spotlight from searching in specific locations

In addition to hiding folders, you can block Spotlight from scanning sensitive folders (for example, folders containing personal data).

💡 Tip : If you have a lot of private files scattered around, group them into a common folder for easy exclusion.

How to add folders to the exclusion list:

  1. In Spotlight settings , scroll down and click Search Privacy .
    How to Exclude Specific Folders and Files from Spotlight Search Results on Mac
  2. Press + in the lower left corner.
  3. Select the folder you want to hide → ChooseDone .
    How to Exclude Specific Folders and Files from Spotlight Search Results on Mac
  4. To cancel an exclusion, select the folder and press .

Note : After making the change, macOS may take some time to rebuild the index. If the results don't show up right away, restart your Mac.

Optimize Spotlight for more efficient use

Customizing Spotlight not only protects your privacy, but also makes searches faster and more accurate. Here are some advanced tips:

1. Natural language search

Spotlight understands simple phrases like:

  • " photos from January 2025 " → Show photos taken in January 2025.
  • " documents last week " → Find documents opened last week.

2. Filter by file type

Add " kind:[file type] " to the query to filter the results:

  • " visa kind:document " → Show only document files related to "visa".
  • " kind:music metallica " → Find music by Metallica.

3. Using metadata attributes

For example:

  • " author:John " → Find documents created by John.
  • " device model:iPhone 15 " → Filter photos taken with iPhone 15.

4. Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT)

  • " kind:PDF stocks OR investment " → Find PDFs containing " stocks " or " investment ".
  • " work NOT meeting " → Show files related to " work " but exclude " meeting ".

What do you usually use Spotlight for? Share below!

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

How to Turn Your iPad into an Extra Mac Display

How to Turn Your iPad into an Extra Mac Display

macOS Catalina and iPadOS include support for a new feature called Sidecar, designed to let you use your iPad as a secondary display for your Mac.

How to download photos from iCloud

How to download photos from iCloud

With iCloud Photos, you can view your entire photo library from any device. But you need to download photos from iCloud if you want to edit or do anything else. There are several ways to download photos from iCloud to devices like iPhone, Mac, and even Windows PC.

How to Download and Use Microsoft Copilot on Mac

How to Download and Use Microsoft Copilot on Mac

In addition to the Windows environment, Microsoft Copilot has a mobile application version on Android and iOS so that users can use and experience this advanced AI technology anytime, anywhere.

Apple puts 12 Mac models on obsolete product list

Apple puts 12 Mac models on obsolete product list

Apple's list of obsolete products is about to gain a new member.

How to type an em dash on Windows or Mac

How to type an em dash on Windows or Mac

You want to type a long dash “—”, known as an em dash, on your Windows PC or Mac, but can't quite find it on your keyboard, so what do you do?

6 Tasks You Should Do Regularly on Your Windows Computer

6 Tasks You Should Do Regularly on Your Windows Computer

Given the workload that Windows computers handle, they need maintenance to run smoothly. Without regular maintenance, performance can suffer, security can be at risk, and hardware issues can go unnoticed.

What is the new Vietnamese Percussion EVKey? How to download and use the software EVKey

What is the new Vietnamese Percussion EVKey? How to download and use the software EVKey

EVKey is a popular Vietnamese typing software with many outstanding features. Learn how to download and use EVKey efficiently on Windows and Mac.

How To Save A Clipboard Image As A JPG Or PNG File

How To Save A Clipboard Image As A JPG Or PNG File

Learn how to efficiently save clipboard images as JPG or PNG files across different operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. Methods covered include Snipping Tool, Paint 3D, and more.

How To Set A Backlit Keyboard To Always On

How To Set A Backlit Keyboard To Always On

Learn how to set your backlit keyboard to always on for Mac, HP, Lenovo, and Dell computers for effortless typing in dark environments.

How to Turn Off Random MAC Address on Android

How to Turn Off Random MAC Address on Android

To ensure better security, devices running Android 10 and above will use random WiFi MAC addresses by default.

How to regain access to hard drive, fix error of not being able to open hard drive

How to regain access to hard drive, fix error of not being able to open hard drive

In this article, we will guide you how to regain access to your hard drive when it fails. Let's follow along!

How to use dental floss

How to use dental floss

Dental floss is a common tool for cleaning teeth, however, not everyone knows how to use it properly. Below are instructions on how to use dental floss to clean teeth effectively.

How to gain muscle according to experts

How to gain muscle according to experts

Building muscle takes time and the right training, but its something anyone can do. Heres how to build muscle, according to experts.

The Best Diets for Heart Health

The Best Diets for Heart Health

In addition to regular exercise and not smoking, diet is one of the best ways to protect your heart. Here are the best diets for heart health.

How to cure insomnia for pregnant women in the last 3 months

How to cure insomnia for pregnant women in the last 3 months

The third trimester is often the most difficult time to sleep during pregnancy. Here are some ways to treat insomnia in the third trimester.

Scientifically Proven Ways to Automatically Burn Calories

Scientifically Proven Ways to Automatically Burn Calories

There are many ways to lose weight without changing anything in your diet. Here are some scientifically proven automatic weight loss or calorie-burning methods that anyone can use.

All about iOS 26

All about iOS 26

Apple has introduced iOS 26 – a major update with a brand new frosted glass design, smarter experiences, and improvements to familiar apps.

Yoga exercises to treat insomnia

Yoga exercises to treat insomnia

Yoga can provide many health benefits, including better sleep. Because yoga can be relaxing and restorative, its a great way to beat insomnia after a busy day.

What is the flower of the other shore? Meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore

What is the flower of the other shore? Meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore

The flower of the other shore is a unique flower, carrying many unique meanings. So what is the flower of the other shore, is the flower of the other shore real, what is the meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore?

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Craving for snacks but afraid of gaining weight? Dont worry, lets explore together many types of weight loss snacks that are high in fiber, low in calories without making you try to starve yourself.

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

Prioritizing a consistent sleep schedule and evening routine can help improve the quality of your sleep. Heres what you need to know to stop tossing and turning at night.

How to add a printer to Windows 10

How to add a printer to Windows 10

Adding a printer to Windows 10 is simple, although the process for wired devices will be different than for wireless devices.

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

Diet is important to our health. Yet most of our meals are lacking in these six important nutrients.

How to get beautiful nails quickly

How to get beautiful nails quickly

You want to have a beautiful, shiny, healthy nail quickly. The simple tips for beautiful nails below will be useful for you.

The best laptops for students in 2025

The best laptops for students in 2025

Students need a specific type of laptop for their studies. It should not only be powerful enough to perform well in their chosen major, but also compact and light enough to carry around all day.