# Hiding Channels

Hiding a channel removes it from query channel requests for that user until a new message is added. Only channel members can hide a channel.

Hidden channels may still have unread messages. Consider [marking the channel as read](https://getstream.io/chat/docs/java/unread/) before hiding it.

You can optionally clear the message history for that user when hiding. When a new message is received, it will be the only message visible to that user.

## Hide a Channel

```java label="Java (Android)"
// Hides the channel until a new message is added there
channelClient.hide(false).enqueue(result -> {
  if (result.isSuccess()) {
    // Channel is hidden
  } else {
    // Handle error
  }
});

// Shows a previously hidden channel
channelClient.show().enqueue(result -> {
  if (result.isSuccess()) {
    // Channel is shown
  } else {
    // Handle error
  }
});

// Hide the channel and clear the message history
channelClient.hide(true).enqueue(result -> {
  if (result.isSuccess()) {
    // Channel is hidden
  } else {
    // Handle error
  }
});
```

<Admonition type="info">

You can still retrieve the list of hidden channels using the `{ "hidden" : true }` query parameter.

</Admonition>


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This page was last updated at 2026-08-11T17:19:20.594Z.

For the most recent version of this documentation, visit [https://getstream.io/chat/docs/java/hiding-channels/](https://getstream.io/chat/docs/java/hiding-channels/).