Spotlight privacy
Hide personal apps from Spotlight before screen sharing.
Spotlight is fast, but that is exactly why it can be risky during a screen share. A personal app can appear in search before you finish typing.
For: Mac users who use Spotlight while presenting or screen sharing
01
Search reveals intent
An app name in Spotlight can reveal hobbies, health, finances, messages, or private tools. Even if you never open the app, the result can be enough to distract or expose more than intended.
02
Dock cleanup does not clean search
Many Mac users remove icons from the Dock and assume they are done. Spotlight is a separate visibility surface, so it needs its own privacy workflow.
03
Use PrivyDock for selected app visibility
PrivyDock helps selected personal apps stay out of everyday search and launcher surfaces so you can use Spotlight with more confidence during calls.
Checklist
A practical workflow before your Mac becomes visible.
01Search for a few sensitive app names before the call.
02Hide selected personal apps with PrivyDock.
03Avoid live-searching vague terms during important meetings.
04Use prepared links or files when presenting.
05Restore hidden apps after the session if needed.
FAQ
Short answers for this use case.
Can Spotlight reveal installed apps?
Yes. Spotlight can show app names while searching, which can reveal personal apps during screen sharing.
Is Spotlight privacy different from Dock privacy?
Yes. The Dock and Spotlight are different Mac visibility surfaces, so cleaning one does not automatically clean the other.
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