Support
Answers to common questions about Fastfind: disk access, Full Disk Access, the index, Pro and uninstalling.
Why does Fastfind ask me to choose my startup disk?
Mac App Store apps can only see the files you give them. Choosing the startup disk once lets Fastfind browse and index your files; it remembers the choice, so you are not asked again. macOS then asks once each for protected folders such as Desktop, Documents and Downloads.
Should I turn on Full Disk Access?
It is optional. With Full Disk Access, macOS stops asking about individual folders, other apps' data becomes searchable, and you can open the Trash inside Fastfind. Turn it on in System Settings › Privacy & Security › Full Disk Access (Fastfind › Settings › Access has a shortcut), then reopen Fastfind.
How do I take access away again?
Turn Fastfind off in System Settings › Privacy & Security › Full Disk Access, and under Files and Folders. To remove the startup disk permission as well, delete Fastfind's data as described below.
A file I just created doesn't show up in search.
New and renamed files normally appear right away. Check that the folder isn't listed under Settings › Index › Excluded Folders, and that macOS allowed access to it (Settings › Access › Check Now). If the index still looks wrong, turn on "Rebuild the index when Fastfind next opens" in Settings › Index and reopen the app.
How large is the index, and where is it?
It depends on how many files you have; a disk with about 11 million items takes around 400 MB. Settings › Index shows the current size. The index and all settings are stored in ~/Library/Containers/cv.rui.fastfind/ on your Mac.
Can I search external disks?
Yes. A connected local external disk is indexed automatically and searchable in the free version. With Pro, a disk stays browsable and searchable after you unplug it. Network shares are browsed but not indexed.
How do I uninstall Fastfind completely?
Quit Fastfind, move it from Applications to the Trash, then delete the folder ~/Library/Containers/cv.rui.fastfind/ (in Finder, use Go › Go to Folder). That removes the index, tag records and all settings.
Which Macs are supported?
Macs with Apple silicon (M1 or later) running macOS 15 Sequoia or later. Intel Macs are not supported.
Restoring Pro
Pro is a one-time purchase tied to your Apple Account. On another Mac, or after reinstalling, open Fastfind › Settings › Fastfind Pro and click Restore Purchases while signed in with the same Apple Account.
Contact
Bug reports, questions and feature requests are welcome. Please include your macOS version and what you were doing when the problem happened.