Mac guide
How to hide desktop icons before screen sharing on Mac
A small, local way to clean up the desktop before a call, demo, tutorial, or recording.
Why hide desktop icons?
Desktop icons can expose filenames, client names, screenshots, downloads, or just visual clutter during a screen share. Many people manually move files or switch desktops before a call, but that turns a tiny recurring problem into a ritual.
The simple option
CleanScreen Drop is a free Mac menu bar app that hides desktop icons before screen sharing, demo recording, or calls, then restores them afterward.
Open the app, use the menu bar item labeled Desk, choose hide before the call, and show again when you are done.
What it does not do
CleanScreen Drop is not a file cleaner, security product, encryption tool, or screen privacy shield. It does not read, move, upload, delete, index, or scan desktop files.
It only changes Finder's desktop icon visibility setting. There is no account, analytics, tracking, ads, file scanning, or network sync.
When it is useful
It is useful before Zoom calls, Google Meet calls, client screen shares, product demos, tutorial recordings, and quick screen captures where desktop clutter would distract from the work.
Download
CleanScreen Drop v0.1.0 is a free direct-download Mac app for macOS 14 or later.
Known V1 limitation
The current menu bar item is text-only and appears as Desk. A clearer menu bar icon is a likely future improvement if early users confirm the workflow is useful.