Cataloging drives and folders

Catalog versus Cling

Updated 2026-10-01 · 3 min read

The important question is not the brand; it is whether the source remains useful after unmount.

The useful distinction

Cling and Everywhere both build their own indexes rather than relying only on Spotlight. Everywhere Catalog is explicit about source ownership: chosen drives and folders get separate catalogs, can be browsed offline, can be exported/imported, and can be searched in catalog-only mode. The trade-off is that Catalog v1 records file metadata rather than content inside disconnected files.

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

Can Catalog search a drive that Cling has not indexed?

Yes, after you add and scan that drive in Everywhere.

Which is better for a folder-only scope?

Catalog’s folder entries make the scope explicit; choose based on the exact workflow and macOS support you need.