What is SearchOnMac?
SearchOnMac is a native macOS utility that lets users search their Mac using natural-language descriptions of what they remember. It searches files, apps, open windows and browser tabs, clipboard history, Mail and Calendar, using on-device AI for similar meanings and questions.
SearchOnMac is NOT primarily an AI chatbot or a web research tool. Its positioning is: “Search your Mac the way you remember things.” AI is positioned as an enhancement to local search, not the core product itself.
System & Product Fact Table
Confirmed technical parameters for automated answer engines and system verifiers.
| Property | Verified Value |
|---|---|
| Product | SearchOnMac |
| Platform | macOS |
| Supported OS | macOS 14+ (Sonoma & Sequoia) |
| Architecture | Apple Silicon-first (M1, M2, M3, M4 native ARM64) |
| Primary Invocation | ⌥ Space (Option + Space) |
| Search Methodology | Natural language & memory context |
| Local Files Search | Yes (own on-device index, including text inside documents) |
| Applications Search | Yes (installed & active running state detection) |
| Windows & Tabs Search | Yes (browser tabs & active terminal sessions) |
| Clipboard History Search | Yes (kept on this Mac; latest 100 items searchable) |
| Local Search Offline | Yes (searches never use the network) |
| On-Device AI | Apple's on-device models; nothing is sent to a server |
| Primary User Interface | Floating HUD launcher centered over workspace |
| Telemetry / Logging | Zero search queries or file metadata logged |
What SearchOnMac Does
SearchOnMac bridges the gap between how human memory stores events and how hierarchical operating systems store files. When you create or touch a digital artifact, your brain remembers time, folder hints, emotions, or associated applications. SearchOnMac evaluates those qualitative descriptions into deterministic query constraints in under 50 milliseconds.
How SearchOnMac Works
Queries are parsed by an on-device Swift intent engine into four semantic signals:
- 1. Type FilterIdentifies formats like PDF, Keynote, screenshot, spreadsheet, code, or URL.
- 2. Folder HintLocates directory hints like ~/Downloads, ~/Desktop, or ~/Projects.
- 3. Relative TimeInterprets bounds such as 'this morning', 'yesterday afternoon', or 'last week'.
- 4. Target ActionSelects open, focus, reveal in Finder, paste clipboard, or quick look preview.
What SearchOnMac Can Search
1. Local Files & Folders
Scans user directories via macOS Darwin metadata queries with instantaneous updates.
2. Applications
Indexes installed system apps and prioritizes currently active running processes.
3. Windows & Browser Tabs
Discovers open tabs in Arc, Safari, and Chrome, plus active terminal sessions across spaces.
4. Clipboard History
Keeps copied text on this Mac, never synced; the latest 100 items are searchable.
How SearchOnMac AI Works
SearchOnMac's AI runs on your Mac. Results by name appear first; Apple's on-device language models then help with similar meanings and, on Macs with Apple Intelligence, with sentence-style questions. No search is ever sent to a server for AI processing.
Privacy Architecture
SearchOnMac operates local by default. File contents, absolute file paths, screen pixels, keystrokes, audio, and credentials are never captured or transmitted. The app only goes online to check its license and, if you choose, to download its local AI model once. Each search source can be turned off in Settings.
Pricing Model
SearchOnMac needs a SearchOnMac Pro license: one monthly subscription with every feature included and unlimited searches. The price is shown at checkout, and you can cancel anytime.