Cataloging drives and folders

Catalog privacy and local storage

Updated 2026-10-01 · 3 min read

A catalog is a local inventory with a deliberately narrow scope—not a cloud copy of your drive.

The useful distinction

Catalog records file metadata for sources you choose and stores its index on the Mac. It does not copy document contents to a server. The catalog-only setting can keep the boot-drive index off while you search selected archives. Remember that filenames and paths can still be sensitive, so protect the Mac account and catalog files like any other index.

A careful workflow

Open Catalog… from Everywhere’s menu bar item and add the drive or folder that matters. Let the first catalogue finish, then search by filename and browse the recorded folder tree. When the source is disconnected, the catalogue remains available and results are labelled offline so you know why opening the file requires reconnecting the drive.

Keep the original drive unchanged, use a clear catalogue name, and rescan after a large round of changes. Catalogues are for the places you choose; they do not silently turn a whole-Mac search into a second scan.

Common questions

Does Catalog upload file names?

No. Catalog processing is local to the Mac.

Is a catalog as sensitive as the source drive?

It can reveal names, paths, sizes, and dates, so protect it even though it does not contain the file contents.