Cataloging drives and folders

A narrower privacy boundary for removable drives

Updated 2026-10-01 · 3 min read

Catalog is useful when your search boundary should be a drive you chose, not every file on your Mac.

The useful distinction

Catalog owns external-drive records separately from the core Mac index. You can catalog a removable drive and turn off Search this Mac, leaving your everyday search limited to the chosen sources. The catalog stores names, paths, sizes, and dates; it does not upload files or copy their contents to a server.

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

Are catalog files uploaded anywhere?

No. Catalog data is stored locally with Everywhere.

Can Catalog see another drive automatically?

No. Unknown drives prompt, and a drive is scanned only after you choose Catalog or add it manually.