# Welcome **AlbumFiler** is the fastest way to access your albums and folders in Apple Photos on macOS.

## Table of Contents * [Why AlbumFiler?](/why-albumfiler) * [System Requirements](/system-requirements) * [Buy AlbumFiler](/buy) * [Onboarding](/onboarding) * [Using AlbumFiler](/using-albumfiler) * [AlbumFiler Shortcut](/using-albumfiler/albumfiler-shortcut) * [Opening Folders and Albums](/using-albumfiler/opening-folders-and-albums) * [Keyboard Shortcuts](/using-albumfiler/keyboard-shortcuts) * [Favorite Items](/using-albumfiler/favorite-items) * [Recent Items](/using-albumfiler/recent-items) * [Importing Media](/using-albumfiler/importing-media) * [Slideshow](/using-albumfiler/slideshow) * [Action Menu](/using-albumfiler/action-menu) * [Creating New Albums and Folders](/using-albumfiler/creating-new-albums-and-folders) * [Settings](/settings) * [General](/settings/general) * [Search](/settings/search) * [Action](/settings/filing) * [Advanced](/settings/advanced) * [License](/settings/license-settings) * [Support](/settings/support-settings) * [About](/settings/about-settings) * [AppleScript](/applescript) * [Shortcuts](/shortcuts) * [Support](/support) # Why AlbumFiler? AlbumFiler is your go-to tool for finding albums and folders in Apple Photos. No more endlessly scrolling through the sidebar in Apple Photos to find that one album or folder. Say hello to AlbumFiler!

## Background Photos is Apple's photo management and editing application. It was launched as part of the OS X Yosemite (10.10.3) release in April 2015. It replaced both iPhoto and Aperture as Apple's primary application for users to store their photos and videos across all their devices, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS. For the past nine years, millions of people across the world have been using Photos to store their cherished memories. You can imagine how many albums and folders these people must have created by then! ## The Scrolling Conundrum Photos presents its list of albums in multiple ways: * List * Grid * Search ### List On the left-hand side of Photos, user-generated albums and smart albums appear underneath the My Albums section. You can expand this to see a list of albums and folders. Users can create additional sub-folders to contain more folders, albums, or smart albums. Once the list becomes lengthy, finding an album requires excessive clicking on small triangles or visually scanning for a specific name. ### Grid Click on the My Albums section header in Photos to see your list of albums and folders in a grid. Folders display a small thumbnail of up to four sub-albums, and albums show a square thumbnail. Users can enlarge the size of the thumbnails by using the slider at the top of the Photos application. Having larger thumbnails helps, but this reduces the total number of items displayable in a window. This means more scrolling and more searching.

### Search Photos analyzes and indexes a lot of metadata in your photos and videos such that it wants you to use the search bar to find things like people, places, and albums. Typing the partial name of an album may make it appear in the list of search results. However, if there are more than a few matches, Photos will display a See All link on the right hand side of each search results section. If you are searching for a particular folder or album, this can take a long time. ## Enter AlbumFiler AlbumFiler, building on [MsgFiler's foundation](https://msgfiler.com), offers the fastest way to find your user-generated albums and folders in Apple Photos. AlbumFiler indexes all of these items and allows you to search for them quickly using just the keyboard.

### Actions Once you've found your album or folder, what can you do? AlbumFiler offers the following quick actions: * Open Folder * Open Album * Import Files into Album * Import Selected Media Items in Photos into Album * Start Slideshow with Album You can even drag and drop images from the desktop right onto an album to import them into Photos. With AlbumFiler, searching for albums and folders becomes so streamlined that the traditional methods in Photos simply can't compare. {% hint style="info" %} Currently, AlbumFiler does not display user-generated smart albums. The workaround is to group all of your smart albums into a folder. Then, in AlbumFiler, search for that folder and click the button to show it in Photos. {% endhint %} # Buy AlbumFiler ## AlbumFiler for macOS Ventura and Above


AlbumFiler is available to download and purchase from the following channels: Mac App Store Gumroad

AlbumFiler is available to download and purchase from the following channels:

### Mac App Store The [Mac App Store version of AlbumFiler](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6479617527) is offered as free-to-download application with a one-time in-app purchase or a subscription to unlock all the features.


Individual Lifetime Unlock: Pay a one-time fee to unlock all of AlbumFiler's features. Family Lifetime Unlock: Pay a one-time fee to unlock all of AlbumFiler's features for use with your entire family. Individual Membership Plan: Subscribe to use all features of AlbumFiler on a monthly or annual basis. Family Membership Plan: Subscribe to use all of AlbumFiler's features with your entire family on a monthly or annual basis.

Individual Lifetime Unlock: Pay a one-time fee to unlock all of AlbumFiler's features.
Family Lifetime Unlock: Pay a one-time fee to unlock all of AlbumFiler's features for use with your entire family.
Individual Membership Plan: Subscribe to use all features of AlbumFiler on a monthly or annual basis.
Family Membership Plan: Subscribe to use all of AlbumFiler's features with your entire family on a monthly or annual basis.

#### Lifetime Unlock or Subscription? AlbumFiler is a new app that's based on the strong foundations of [MsgFiler](https://msgfiler.com), an app that has been around for nearly two decades of macOS from Tiger to Sonoma. If you are a dedicated Apple Photos user and see yourself continuing to use Apple Photos as your photo organization software, it will be more affordable in the long-run to pay for the Individual or Family Lifetime Unlock. If you want to try out AlbumFiler for a month or a year, a subscription can be cheaper initially. And, if you are the type of person who will only use the app infrequently and don't mind being interrupted and slowed down, you can use AlbumFiler in [Freemium mode](/buy/freemium-mode). *** ### Gumroad Purchase the direct distribution version of [AlbumFiler from Gumroad](https://tow.gumroad.com/l/albumfiler). This version of AlbumFiler is offered in the form of a one-time payment. Gumroad will send you a License Key to the email used to purchase the product. You will enter this License Key into AlbumFiler to active the Lifetime Unlock. {% embed url="" %} # Freemium Mode The table below lists what is available, limited, or not accessible when AlbumFiler is in Freemium Mode. Purchase the Lifetime Unlock or subscribe to one of the Album Organizer monthly or annual subscription plans to unlock unlimited access to premium features. In Freemium Mode, you can use some premium features, but you will periodically be prevented from performing the operation and be encouraged to purchase or subscribe via an alert. You can dismiss the alert after some time and try to perform the operation again. These features are denoted by the ⏰ icon. | Feature | Freemium Mode | Paid or Subscription | | ----------------------------: | :-----------: | :------------------: | | Opening folders | ✅ | ✅ | | Opening albums | ⏰ | ✅ | | Starting slideshows | ⏰ | ✅ | | Toggling favorite status | ✅ | ✅ | | Adding images | ⏰ | ✅ | | Importing Files | ⏰ | ✅ | | Favoriting albums and folders | ⏰ | ✅ | | Creating new albums | ⏰ | ✅ | | Creating new folders | ⏰ | ✅ | | Shortcuts | ⏰ | ✅ | # System Requirements AlbumFiler has the following system requirements: * macOS Ventura or higher * Apple Photos {% hint style="danger" %} AlbumFiler works with the System Photo Library. If you open an alternate library file, AlbumFiler may not work as expected. Learn more about [using different libraries on macOS here](https://support.apple.com/en-mo/guide/photos/pht6d60b524/mac). {% endhint %} # Onboarding ## Installation How AlbumFiler is installed depends on where you downloaded it: * **Mac App Store**: If you downloaded from the Mac App Store, the **AlbumFiler.app** will be placed in your **Applications** folder. * **Gumroad**: If you purchased AlbumFiler from Gumroad, double-click on the Disk Image that you received and drag the **AlbumFiler.app** icon on top of the **Applications** folder alias. ## Welcome The first time you run **AlbumFiler**, you will go through the onboarding experience. This is where you'll configure **AlbumFiler** for use with your Mac. There are several steps to go through, and you can't skip them all. * [Photos Permission](/onboarding/photos-permission) * [Accessibility](#accessibility) * [AlbumFiler Shortcut](/using-albumfiler/albumfiler-shortcut) * [Automation](#automation) * [Purchase](#purchase) * [Completion](#completion)

# Photos Permission When you first launch AlbumFiler, it will ask you for permission to access your Photos library. In order for AlbumFiler to work, you must grant it permission. Otherwise, AlbumFiler will not be able to retrieve a list of your albums and folders.

If you click **Don't Allow**, Photos will not have access to Photos and will not operate properly. To resolve this, you will have to do the following: 1. **Quit AlbumFiler**. 2. **Quit System Settings** if it is opened. 3. Open **System Settings**. 4. Go to the **Privacy & Security > Photos** section. 5. **Enable access** for AlbumFiler. 6. Open **AlbumFiler**. # Accessibility AlbumFiler requires Accessibility permissions to operate. For a new install, if AlbumFiler does not already have Accessibility permissions, click Next from the Welcome screen to display the following screen.

You will need to grant Accessibility permissions to AlbumFiler so it can perform actions against the Photos application, such as: * Getting the list of folders and albums * Importing media into albums * Slideshow controls * Opening albums and folders * Creating new albums and folders Follow the steps below to grant Accessibility permissions to AlbumFiler: 1. Click **Open Accessibility**. 2. The **System Settings** application will open to the **Accessibility** pane of the **Privacy & Security** section. 3. AlbumFiler will show this screen where you will **click and drag the AlbumFiler icon** over to the **Accessibility** pane. {% hint style="warning" %} If there is another **AlbumFiler** entry in the Accessibility section, you may need to remove it before the drag and drop can work. Select the **AlbumFiler** entry and click the minus button in the bottom-left of the list of application. {% endhint %}

When you have successfully dragged the AlbumFiler icon, you will see this screen:

# Shortcut Next you will assign a keyboard shortcut used in Photos to reveal **AlbumFiler**.

You can leave things as the default or customize the following options: * **Keyboard Shortcut**: The default is Command-9. Try pressing this now and you'll see a green checkmark appear to show you that it works. * **Action**: When pressing the keyboard shortcut from Photos or AlbumFiler, you can choose from one of three actions to perform. Learn more about the [AlbumFiler shortcut in this section](/using-albumfiler/albumfiler-shortcut). # Automation Next, we need to give AlbumFiler permission to send Apple Events over to Photos.

1. Click on the **Verify Photos** button. A prompt will appear from macOS asking you to grant AlbumFiler permission to communicate with the Photos app using AppleScript. 2. Click **Allow**.

When Photos automation has been verified, you will see this screen. You can now click **Next** to go to the next onboarding step.

# Subscribe or Purchase AlbumFiler is free to use to open folders and albums and toggling favorite status of selected messages. In the Freemium Mode, it also allows you to use on a **limited basis** the following features: * Showing albums * Import files into albums * Adding selected media items to albums * Controlling slideshow * Shortcuts * Creating new albums and folders * Favoriting albums and folders AlbumFiler is available for [purchase and/or subscription](/buy) through two channels: * [Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6479617527) * [Gumroad](https://tow.gumroad.com/l/albumfiler) ## Mac App Store If you downloaded AlbumFiler from the Mac App Store, you will be presented with options to purchase a **Lifetime Unlock** or to subscribe to one of the **Album Organizer** subscription plans when you click the **Next** button. {% hint style="info" %} Family sharing is also available as product choices for both the Lifetime Unlock and membership plans. {% endhint %} If you want to use AlbumFiler in freemium mode and do not wish to purchase or subscribe at this time, click **Next**. Otherwise, choose your plan or product and follow the on-screen directions. {% hint style="warning" %} The prices for each product are subject to change and depend on which App Store you are connecting to on your Mac. {% endhint %} ## Gumroad Lifetime Unlock licenses for AlbumFiler will be made available for purchase on Gumroad. If you do not wish to purchase AlbumFiler at this time, click **Next** in the two screens below. Otherwise, click **Purchase** to go to the Gumroad website to buy a license key. Enter it in the text field and click **Activate**. # Completion Congratulations! You've made it through the onboarding process! Click **Start Filing** to exit the onboading screens and to open Main Window to AlbumFiler. # Using AlbumFiler This section covers how to use AlbumFiler, from the basics all the way to advanced techniques. Get ready for happy searching and organizing days in Photos! * [AlbumFiler Shortcut](/using-albumfiler/albumfiler-shortcut) * [Opening Folders and Albums](/using-albumfiler/opening-folders-and-albums) * [Keyboard Shortcuts](/using-albumfiler/keyboard-shortcuts) * [Importing Media](/using-albumfiler/importing-media) * [Moving Albums](/using-albumfiler/moving-albums) * [Creating New Albums and Folders](/using-albumfiler/creating-new-albums-and-folders) * [Favorite Items](/using-albumfiler/favorite-items) * [Recent Items](/using-albumfiler/recent-items) * [Slideshow](/using-albumfiler/slideshow) * [Action Menu](/using-albumfiler/action-menu) Start first by learning how to invoke AlbumFiler using the AlbumFiler Shortcut when in Photos or AlbumFiler.\

# AlbumFiler Shortcut The AlbumFiler Shortcut is a keyboard shortcut that is global to the Photos and AlbumFiler applications. Pressing the shortcut will perform one of three actions: * Toggles AlbumFiler on and off * Focuses Between Photos and AlbumFiler * Shows AlbumFiler ## Default Keyboard Shortcut The default keyboard shortcut is **Command-9**. ## Changing the Keyboard Shortcut Follow these steps to change the MsgFiler Shortcut: 1. Open **AlbumFiler**. 2. Choose **Settings** from the **AlbumFiler** menu. 3. Click on the **AlbumFiler Shortcut** field. 4. Press the keys you want to use to invoke the AlbumFiler Shortcut. 5. Choose what action should be performed when invoking the AlbumFiler Shortcut.

# Opening Folders and Albums Using AlbumFiler is very simple: 1. Open **Photos**. 2. Invoke **AlbumFiler** by pressing the [AlbumFiler Shortcut](/using-albumfiler/albumfiler-shortcut). By default, it is **Command-9**, but you can customize it in [General Settings](/settings/general). 3. Type a few characters of the album or folder you wish to search for. 4. When the item you desire is shown at the top of the results list, press Enter or Return. If there are multiple matches, use the down arrow to select the correct item before hitting Return. When you open an album or folder, you'll see focus switch over to Photos. If you have the **Keep open after performing action** preference checked, AlbumFiler will re-activate after opening the folder or album. Otherwise it will disappear, and you will have to invoke it again. Repeat the process above to continue seeing other albums or folders. ## Wildcard Matching Inserting a space character in the search field instructs AlbumFiler to perform a wildcard search. For instance, suppose you entered: ``` Peo Vi ``` This will match any albums or folders that contains those characters: > **`Peo`**`ple/`**`Vi`**`ctor Jackson` > > **`Peo`**`ple/`**`Vi`**`ncent Young` > > `Flowers/`**`Peo`**`nies/`**`Vi`**`rginia` Master the use of the space character to quickly drill down to find the correct mailbox. ## Search Restrictions By default, AlbumFiler is set up to search the entire path for your albums and folders, but you can configure it to search only the name of the folder or album. You can also have it so AlbumFiler peforms a case-sensitive search. You can change these settings in [Search Settings](/settings/search). # Keyboard Shortcuts AlbumFiler has a number of keyboard shortcuts to make you efficient at searching from the keyboard. There are also special keys you can press when focused on the AlbumFiler search field or the results table. ## General These keyboard shortcuts are available when any window of AlbumFiler is frontmost.

Keyboard Shortcut	Symbol	Action
Command-R	⌘R	Reload albums and folders
Command-Q	⌘Q	Quits AlbumFiler
Command-Comma	⌘,	Opens the Settings window

## AlbumFiler Window These keyboard shortcuts are only available when focused on the AlbumFiler window.

Keyboard Shortcut	Symbol	Action	Notes
Control-Option-Command-E	⌃⌥⌘E	Toggles pressing enter always perform default action
Control-Option-Command-F	⌃⌥⌘F	Toggle focus on search on activation
Shift-Command-I	⇧⌘I	Imports files to the selected album	1
Control-Option-Command-I	⌃⌥⌘I	Add selected items in Photos to the selected album	1
Shift-Command-L	⇧⌘L	Toggle the favorite status on the selected media items in Photos
Command-N	⌘N	Create a new album
Shift-Command-N	⇧⌘N	Create a new folder
Command-O	⌘O	Opens the currently selected item
Option-Command-P	⌥⌘P	Play slideshow	2
Control-Option-Command-O	⌃⌥vO	Toggle keep open after filing
Control-Option-Command-Number	⌃⌥⌘ [1-9]	Performs default action on the Nth item in the list.	3
Command-Minus	⌘-	Remove the currently selected item from the Favorites list	4
Command-Plus	⌘+	Add the currently selected item to the Favorites list	5
Command-[	⌘[	Cycle through the default actions in reverse
Command-]	⌘]	Cycle through the default actions
Shift-Command-\	⇧⌘\	Open Photos

## Search Field These hot keys and keyboard shortcuts work when your cursor is in the search field of the AlbumFiler window.

Keyboard Shortcut	Symbol	Action	Notes
Enter	↩	Default action or focuses on results table	6
Escape	⎋	Clears the search or closes AlbumFiler	6
Down Arrow	↓	Focuses on the results table

## Results Table These hot keys and keyboard shortcuts work when focus is on the Results Table in the AlbumFiler window.

Key	Symbol	Action	Notes
Enter	↩	Default action	7
Up Arrow	↑	Returns focus to the search field when the first item in the list is reached
Numbers 0-9	0-9	Select the item at the given row.	3

## Additional Notes 1. Requires that the selected item be an album, not a folder or smart album. 2. Only albums and smart albums can play slideshows. 3. 1 is the first item and 0 is the 10th item. 4. Does nothing if the item is not in the Favorites list. 5. Does nothing if the item is already in the Favorites list. 6. Configure in [Advanced Settings](/settings/advanced). 7. Configure in [Filing Settings](/settings/filing). # Importing Media You can import photos and videos using AlbumFiler in one of three ways: * Adding selected media items to an album * Importing files to an album * Drag and drop ## Adding Selected Media Items When you have media selected in the Photos application, you can invoke AlbumFiler, select an album, and have those selected media items added to the selected album. This is a quick way to avoid having to click and drag selected media into an album. ## Importing Files You can choose to import files from your computer into an album. 1. Open **AlbumFiler**. 2. **Type** in the name of the desired album. 3. **Select** the album. 4. Click the **Import…** button. 5. **Select your images** from your computer. 6. Click **Open**. ## Drag and Drop You can also drag and drop images from your computer on top of any album in the results list in the AlbumFiler main window. # Moving Albums AlbumFiler is able to move albums, but not smart albums nor folders, to other folders. There is no AppleScript method within Photos to move an album from one folder to another, so AlbumFiler has to perform the following operations: 1. Creates a new album with the same name as the original album in the destination folder. 2. Adds the media items to the new album. 3. Deletes the old album if the number of media items in the new album matches that of the original album. 4. Reloads the list of albums and folders.

If the count of media items between the old and new albums do not match, AlbumFiler will display an error to the user to confirm things in the Photos app.

Photos will display this alert when adding large numbers of media items to an album.

AlbumFiler will display this error if it cannot confirm the move was successful.

# Creating New Albums and Folders With AlbumFiler, you can quickly create new albums and folders. ## New Album Follow these steps to create a new album in Photos. 1. Choose **New Album** from the **Action Menu** or press `Command-N` to display the New Album sheet. 2. Enter the **name of the new album**. 3. If desired, choose a folder to place the album underneath. If you don't specify a folder, the album will be created at the root level. 4. Click **OK**.

## New Folder Follow these steps to create a new folder in Photos. 1. Choose **New Folder** from the **Action Menu** or press `Shift-Command-N` to display the New Folder sheet. 2. Enter the **name of the new folder.** 3. If desired, choose a folder to place the folder underneath. If you don't specify a folder, the folder will be created at the root level. 4. Click **OK**.

# Favorite Items Marking an album or folder as a favorite will move that item to the top of the results list. Favorite items are denoted by a bold font. To mark an album or folder as a favorite, select it in the results list and press `command-equal` or choose **Add To Favorites** from the **Action Menu**. Alternatively, you can right-click or control-click on an item in the results table and choose **Add to Favorites** from the context menu that appears. From **AlbumFiler > Settings > Search**, you can re-order your favorites as well.
## # Recent Items You can turn on the ability for AlbumFiler to remember the last ten items you performed an operation on. As you use AlbumFiler, recently used items will rise up to the top of your results window, granting you quick access to these items during subsequent operations. Recent items are denoted in italics. ## Activating Recent Items Start remembering recent mailboxes by going to Search Settings and toggling on **Remember recent items**.

{% hint style="info" %} If you find yourself opening an album or folder often, consider adding it to your favorites. {% endhint %} # Slideshow Select an album in AlbumFiler and press the **Start Slideshow** button to start a slideshow using the selected album. You can use [Shortcuts](/shortcuts) to call start, stop, pause, resume, next slide, or previous slide commands to the slideshow running in Photos. # Action Menu The action menu is located next to the search field in the AlbumFiler window. It provides quick access to commonly used settings and reveals additional actions.

## AlbumFiler Settings These options toggle frequently used settings in AlbumFiler: * **Keep AlbumFiler open after performing action**: Enable this when searching through multiple albums and folders. * **Pressing Enter always performs default action**: Enable this to perform the default action when pressing Enter from the search field. If disabled, pressing Enter will move focus to the results table. * **Focus on search on activation**: Enable this to always return to the search field when returning back to AlbumFiler. * **Ignore path when matching**: AlbumFiler will ignore the folder or album path and only search on the name of the folder or album. ## Commands * **Import Files to (album name)**: Shows an open dialog, allowing you to choose media to import into the designated album. * **Add selected media items to (mailbox name)**: Adds the selected media items in Photos to the designated album. * **Toggle Favorite Flag in Selected Media**: Toggles the favorite flag in the selected media items in Photos. ## Album and Folder Commands * **Add (album/folder) to Favorites**: Adds the designated item to the favorites list. * **Show Album/Folder**: Opens the selected album or folder in Photos. * **Remove (album/folder) From Favorites**: Removes the designated item from the favorite list. * **Clear Recent Items**: Removes all entries from the Recent Items list. * **New Album**: Creates a new album. * **New Folder**: Creates a new folder. * **Reload**: Reload the list of items from Photos. ## Other Commands * **Purchase:** Open the Purchase window. This menu option does not appear if you are on a subscription plan or have purchased the Lifetime Unlock. * **Settings**: Opens the AlbumFiler Settings window. * **About AlbumFiler**: Opens the AlbumFiler window. * **Visit Website**: Opens a browser to albumfiler.com. * **Quit**: Quits the **AlbumFiler** application. # Settings AlbumFiler is highly configurable to your needs. To adjust its settings, choose Preferences from the AlbumFiler menu or press `Command-,` while in AlbumFiler. The Preferences window has four tabbed sections: * [General](/settings/general) * [Search](/settings/search) * [Filing](/settings/filing) * [License](/settings/license-settings) * [Advanced](/settings/advanced) * [About](/settings/about-settings) # General Settings This sections contains startup, display, and keyboard shortcut settings for MsgFiler 4.

## Startup * **Launch at login**: Turn this on to have AlbumFiler launch whenever your Mac restarts. * **Hide AlbumFiler in Dock**: Enable this to hide the AlbumFiler icon from the Dock and to turn the application into a floating panel over all applications. If you use Photos is full-screen mode, you will want to enable this, as AlbumFiler will be able to share the same Space as Photos. * **Show AlbumFiler in menu**: Enable this to display an icon in your menu bar. This is on by default for App Review purposes.

## Display * **List font**: Configure the font used in the Results Table. * **Reset**: Resets the font used in the Results Table back to the System font at 12 points. ## Keyboard Shortcut * **Action**: Choose from one of three actions performed when pressing the AlbumFiler Shortcut: * Toggles AlbumFiler * Focuses Between Photos and AlbumFiler * Shows AlbumFiler * AlbumFiler **Shortcut**: Configure the keyboard shortcut used to invoke AlbumFiler. Learn more in the [AlbumFiler Shortcut Section](/using-albumfiler/albumfiler-shortcut). * **Focus on search on activation**: When enabled, focus will return to the search field anytime AlbumFiler is activated. * **Pressing Escape in search**: Choose the action that should occur when you press Escape when focus is on the search field. You can either clear the search field or hide AlbumFiler. # Search Settings These settings change how AlbumFiler searches and filters the list of items from Photos.

## Search Restrictions * **Ignore path when matching**: When enabled, AlbumFiler will only search in the name of the album or folder and ignore any parent folders. * **Case-sensitive search**: When toggled on, AlbumFiler will perform a case-sensitive search for your albums and folders. ## Recent and Favorite Items * **Remember recent items**: When enabled, AlbumFiler will remember the last ten items you performing actiosn on excluding any favorite items. * **Clear Recents**: When Remember recent items is active, click this button to clear the list of recent albums and folders. * **Reorder**: Click this button to reorder your favorite albums and folders. * **Clear Favorites**: Click this button to delete all of your items from the Favorites list. * **Sync Favorite Mailboxes to iCloud**: Share your favorite items across all Mac computers logged into the same iCloud account. ## Mailbox Visibility * **Excluded Items**: You can specify keywords to exclude from your list of items. This is useful if you don't want to see certain folders or albums in the list of returned results. Click **Manage** to display a sheet where you can view and edit your list of Excluded Items. After editing the list of Excluded Mailboxes, click **Save** to save your changes. Any matching word will exclude both albums and folders from the search results in AlbumFiler.'

# Action Settings This section configures how AlbumFiler operates before, during, and after performing its actions:

## Before Action * **Default Action**: Choose the default action from opening, importing, adding selected media items, starting a slideshow, or doing nothing. Nothing will happen if you try to perform an action on an item that does not support such action (i.e. a folder cannot start a slideshow). * **Pressing Enter in search**: Choose what happens when you press the Enter key in the search field. AlbumFiler can either perform the default action or focus on the results table. ## During Action * Currently, AlbumFiler does not perform anything during the action process itself. ## After Action * **Keep AlbumFiler open after filing**: If you want to keep AlbumFiler open and active after performing an operation, check this box. Otherwise, AlbumFiler will disappear after you perform an action like opening an album, starting a slideshow, or importing files. # Advanced Settings Configure additional settings in the Advanced Settings section.

## **User Interface** * **Display number of media items**: Have AlbumFiler retrieve the number of media items in folders and albums. Note that this will increase the time AlbumFiler takes to load the album and folder list from Photos. * **Focus on search on activation**: When returning to AlbumFiler, focus will automatically return to the search field and select any pre-existing text. * **Automatically reload albums and folders**: AlbumFiler will attempt to detect when new albums nd folders have been added to Photos. When detected, it will automatically sync them to AlbumFiler. * **Stay open after favoriting media items**: AlbumFiler will respect the setting to stay open after filing unless you toggle this setting. Doing so will prevent AlbumFiler from returning to Photos after performing this operation. * **Stay open after showing albums and folders**: Toggling this setting will keep focus on AlbumFiler after showing an album or folder. ## Warnings and Confirmations * **Confirm before adding media items to an album**: Display a confirmation prompt before trying to add media items to an album. This is useful if you went to an album in Photos but did not select any media items. In this case, AlbumFiler will try to add all of the items from the target album into the destination album. * **Confirm when count of media items exceed**: Display a warning when trying to add over the set number of media items to an album. ## Reset * **Setup Wizard**: Display the onboarding screens. * **Reset Settings**: Resets AlbumFiler back to its factory defaults. You will need to restart the application for all changes to be reset. # Keyboard Shortcuts You can customize the keyboard shortcuts used for many of AlbumFiler's settings and functions. {% hint style="warning" %} macOS Ventura users will be able to view the assigned keyboard shortcuts, but not edit them. {% endhint %}

## Changing Keyboard Shortcuts To change a keyboard shortcut, follow these steps: 1. Open **AlbumFiler Settings**. 2. Click **Shortcuts**. 3. Click on the button next to the action you want to change. 4. In the window that appears, type your new keyboard shortcut. 5. Click **Done**. ## Disabling Keyboard Shortcuts To disable an action's keyboard shortcuts, do the following: 1. Click **Shortcuts**. 2. Click on the button next to the action you want to change. 3. In the window that appears, uncheck the **Enabled** checkbox. 4. Click **Done**. The keyboard shortcut will now say "None". To reactivate, edit the keyboard shortcut and check the **Enabled** checkbox. ## Resetting Keyboard Shortcuts To reset all keyboard shortcuts back to their defaults, click on the **Reset Keyboard Shortcuts…** button at the bottom of the Keyboard Shortcuts settings page. # License Settings This section is different depending on which version of AlbumFiler you are using: ## Mac App Store This section displays purchasing options and information when you have signed up for a subcription or purchased the Lifetime Unlock. The prices shown are subject to change and will depend on which App Store your Mac is currently attached to. * **Restore Purchases**: If you reinstalled AlbumFiler and your license information does not appear, click Restore Purchases to contact the App Store and try to retrieve your past transactions. * **Manage Subscriptions**: You can cancel your subscriptions on this Apple website. * **Change Plan**: If you want to upgrade or downgrade your subscription, or purchase a Lifetime Unlock, click **Change Plan**. {% hint style="warning" %} If you purchase the Lifetime Unlock and are currently subscribed to a monthly or annual plan, you will have to cancel your subscriptions from the Manage Subscriptions page. [Learn more here](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202039). {% endhint %} ## Gumroad This section displays information about your license key. If you have not registered AlbumFiler, you can enter your license key and activate your copy. * **Purchase**: Open a browser to Gumroad's website to purchase a license for AlbumFiler. * **Activate**: Find your License Key in the confirmation email you received after you purchased AlbumFiler from Gumroad. Click **Activate** to verify your license details and register AlbumFiler. * **Deactivate License**: Remove the license from this Mac. The information displayed when you verify your license key is as follows: * **License Key**: The license key you entered. * **Registered Email**: The email address associated with the purchase from Gumroad. * **Purchase Date**: The date the Lifetime Unlock license for AlbumFiler was purchased. # Support Settings Get support for AlbumFiler:

* [Documentation](https://docs.albumfiler.com): The link to this website. * [Blog](https://blog.albumfiler.com): A link to articles and news about AlbumFiler. * [Support](/support): A link to the support page on this website. * [Submit a Question](https://albumfiler.com/help-desk): Got a question that can't be answered in the documentation or troubleshooting sections? Ask away! * [Privacy Policy & EULA](/privacy-policy): A link to the privacy policy and EULA on this site. # About Settings Displays information about the current build of AlbumFiler.

* **Version**: The current version of AlbumFiler. * **Build**: The build number for this version of AlbumFiler. * **Acknowledgements**: Displays a screen listing open source software used in AlbumFiler. * **Visit Website**: Opens a new browser to If you are requesting support, please include the Version and Build Number in your report. # AppleScript You can control and access information from AlbumFiler using [AppleScript](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/AppleScript/Conceptual/AppleScriptLangGuide/introduction/ASLR_intro.html). * [Properties](/applescript/properties) * [Commands](/applescript/commands) # Properties You can access the following properties in AlbumFiler using AppleScript. * **keep open after performing action** (boolean): Should AlbumFiler stay open after performing an action. * **focus on search on activation** (boolean): On app activate, return focus to the search field. * **calculate album count**: Should AlbumFiler calculate the number of media items in folders and albums. * **case sensitive** (boolean): Should searches be case-sensitive. * **name only** (boolean): Should searches be performed only on the album or folder name and not the full path. * **selected item name** (text, r/o): The name of the currently selected album or folder. * **selected item path** (text, r/o): The path of the currently selected album or folder. * **items loading percentage (number)**: Used internally for display reloading albums and folder progress. # Commands You can send the following commands to AlbumFiler using AppleScript. * **reload albums and folders**: Reload the list of albums and folders from Photos. Returns true if the items were loaded properly or false. * **is smart album**: Returns true if the passed in item ID refers to a user-generated smart album or false if not. * **update items** (items list): Sends a complete list of folders and albums to display in AlbumFiler. Used internally to generate the list of items shown in the app. # Shortcuts AlbumFiler features several actions for [Apple Shortcuts](https://support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/welcome/ios) to automate actions within Photos: * [Find Album](/shortcuts/find-album) * [Find Folder](/shortcuts/find-folder) * [Get AlbumFiler Setting](/shortcuts/get-albumfiler-setting) * [Get Selected Media Items](/shortcuts/get-selected-media-items) * [New Album](/shortcuts/new-album) * [New Folder](/shortcuts/new-folder) * [Set AlbumFiler Setting](/shortcuts/set-albumfiler-setting) * [Set Search Query](/shortcuts/set-search-query) * [Show Album](/shortcuts/show-album) * [Show Folder](/shortcuts/show-folder) * [Slideshow](/using-albumfiler/slideshow) # Find Album Find user-created albums in Photos. {% hint style="warning" %} AlbumFiler currently does not retrieve user-generated smart albums. {% endhint %}

Parameters	Description
Albums	If provided, the action will search through the items pass as input (optional). Otherwise, the action will search through all albums.
Filter	Album name, path, is favorite, and is recent.
Sort by	Album name or album path
Limit	Limit the number of items returned.

| Returns | Description | | ------- | ---------------------------------- | | Albums | The items that match the criteria. | # Find Folder Find folders in Photos. | Parameters | Description | | ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Folder | If provided, the action will search through the items pass as input (optional). Otherwise, the action will search through all folders. | | Filter | Folder name or path. | | Sort by | Folder name or path. | | Limit | Limit the number of items returned. | | Returns | Description | | ------- | ---------------------------------- | | Folders | The items that match the criteria. | # Get AlbumFiler Setting Get the value of a setting in AlbumFiler.

Parameters	Description
Setting	Automatically reload albums and folders Case-sensitive search Display number of media items Focus on search on activation Keep AlbumFiler open after performing action Ignore path when matching Remember recent items

| Returns | Description | | ------- | ------------------------- | | Boolean | The value of the setting. | # Get Selected Media Items Get the currently selected media items in Photos. Each media items can contain the following information: * **Media Item ID**: The unique ID for the media item. * **Favorite**: If the favorite flag has been assigned to the media item. * **Filename**: The filename of the media item on disk. * **Width**: The width in pixels of the media item. * **Height**: The height in pixels of the media item. * **Altitude**: If available, the altitude at which the media item was captured. * **Notes**: The caption assigned to the media item. * **Keywords**: A list of keywords assigned to the media item. * **Location**: If available, the latitude and longitude at which the media item was captured. * **Title**: The title for the media item. | Parameters | Description | | ---------- | ----------- | | None | | | Returns | Description | | ---------- | ------------------------------------------- | | Media Item | Details of the media item are listed above. | # New Album Create a new album underneath an existing folder or be under the root-level of the My Albums folder in Photos. | Parameters | Description | | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Album Name | The name of the album to create. | | Folder | The parent folder. Leave blank if you want to create a root-level album. | | Returns | Description | | ------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | Boolean | True if the album was created successfully, or error if not. | # New Folder Create a new folder underneath an existing folder or be under the root-level of the My Albums folder in Photos. | Parameters | Description | | ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Folder Name | The name of the folder to create. | | Folder | The parent folder. Leave blank if you want to create a root-level folder. | | Returns | Description | | ------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | | Boolean | True if the folder was created successfully, or error if not. | # Set AlbumFiler Setting Set the value of a setting in AlbumFiler. | Parameters | Description | | ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Setting |

Automatically reload albums and folders
Case-sensitive search
Display number of media items
Focus on search on activation
Keep AlbumFiler open after performing action
Ignore path when matching
Remember recent items

Returns	Description
Boolean	The value of the setting.

# Set Search Query ## Set Search Query Set the search string in MsgFiler 4. | Parameters | Description | | ---------- | --------------------------------- | | Query | The string to send to MsgFiler 4. | | Returns | Description | | ------- | --------------------------------------------------- | | Mailbox | A list of mailboxes that match the search criteria. | # Show Album Show the selected album in Photos. | Parameters | Description | | ---------- | ---------------------------- | | Album | The album to show in Photos. | | Returns | Description | | ------- | ---------------------------------------------- | | Boolean | True if the album was opened, error otherwise. | # Show Folder Show the selected folder in Photos. | Parameters | Description | | ---------- | ----------------------------- | | Folder | The folder to show in Photos. | | Returns | Description | | ------- | ----------------------------------------------- | | Boolean | True if the folder was opened, error otherwise. | # Slideshow Controls the slideshow in Photos. | Parameters | Description | | ---------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Action |

Start Slideshow
Stop Slideshow
Pause Slideshow
Resume Slideshow
Next Slide
Previous Slide

| | Album | If Start Slideshow is chosen as the action, select the album. | | Returns | Description | | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Boolean | True if the slideshow operation was succesfully run, error otherwise. | Here is an example Slideshow Controller shortcut that uses this action:

# Support This is the support page for AlbumFiler. * [Documentation](/system-requirements): The documentation for AlbumFiler. * [Troubleshooting](/support/troubleshooting): Known issues and frequently asked questions about AlbumFiler. * [Help Desk](https://albumfiler.wordpress.com/help-desk): Have a question that the documentation and troubleshooting don't answer? Submit a question here. # Troubleshooting Troubleshooting and known issues with AlbumFiler. ## Known Issues ## Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren't my smart albums appearing in AlbumFiler?

Currently, AlbumFiler does not display user-generated smart albums. This is because PhotoKit, Apple's framework for developers to work with Photos doesn't have a public way to retrieve this information. While smart albums can be retrieved via AppleScript, the process to get them takes time which impacts the overall performance and responsiveness of AlbumFiler. The workaround is to group all of your smart albums into a folder. Then, in AlbumFiler, search for that folder and click the button to show it in Photos.

Will you make an iOS version of AlbumFiler?

tl;dr: No. Photos on iOS and iPadOS does not offer the same level of extension that macOS Photos provides. For instance, it is not possible to programmatically open an album on iOS or iPadOS. As a result, it is currently impossible to integrate core AlbumFiler capabilities in the mobile version of Photos.

# Mac App Store vs. Direct Download There are two versions of AlbumFiler. * Mac App Store * Direct Download Functionally, the two apps are identical. They differ only in the kinds of licenses offered and how they are distributed. | Feature | Mac App Store | Direct Download | | -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | | [Where to Buy](/buy) | Mac App Store | Gumroad | | Purchase Options |

Individual Lifetime Unlock
Individual Annual Membership
Individual Monthly Subscription

Family Lifetime Unlock
Family Annual Membership

Family Monthly Subscription

Lifetime Unlock

Family Lifetime Unlock

Version 1.0.1 - April 3, 2024

* Fixed a bug that prevented favoriting more than one item. * Enhanced the granularity of the selected media count warning slider. * Improved the frequency of updates for the count of selected media items. * Reduced the frequency of the purchase prompt dialog.

Version 1.0 - April 2, 2024

* Initial release

# Testimonials As AlbumFiler is a brand-new application, this place is a little quiet. If you have had a positive experience using AlbumFiler, send me a note, and you may find yourself up on this page! Provide a short paragraph on how AlbumFiler has made your Photos usage more productive, along with your name. Optionally, you can include your title or company name. # Privacy Policy and EULA ## Privacy Policy * The application does not track usage data. * The app does not know your location or ask for permission to know your location. * Licensing uses either one of two methods: * Mac App Store * Your rights are protected by Apple’s [privacy policy](https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/app-store/) and [end user license agreement](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/). * Gumroad * The direct distribution version of AlbumFiler utilizes Gumroad for payment processing. Upon purchase, Gumroad provides a license key, which users need to enter in our app. Our app displays the license key, email used for the purchase, and the purchase date for verification and support purposes. AlbumFiler does not store the email address permanently; it is retained only temporarily in memory. The processing of transaction data is governed by Gumroad’s privacy policy, available [here](https://gumroad.com/privacy). By using the direct distribution version of AlbumFiler and entering the provided license key, you consent to these data practices. *** ## End User License Agreement The AlbumFiler End User License Agreement (EULA) is supplementary to Apple's Standard End User License Agreement, which can be reviewed here: ### Pro and free features * The application has free and paid (“Pro”) features. Free features are free to use. Purchasing a license is not required to use these. Pro features are available with a Lifetime Unlock or an Album Organizer subscription plan (where available). ### Trial Period * The app does not come with a trial period. Pro features can be used on a limited basis without a license, but the app will periodically inform you that you should pay to get unlimited access to these features. * This freemium mode is not designed to be a means to avoid paying for a license. Rather, it is designed to allow you to evaluate the application beyond the typical time given to software trials. Using it beyond a reasonable amount of time to evaluate the app is counter-productive to the app’s goal of saving you time when using Photos on macOS. ### Pro license price and purchase process The app is sold and distributed via two channels: * Mac App Store * Apple provides the in-app and online purchase experience, handling invoicing, payment methods, license management, activations, and refunds. * The app is offered here via a one-time in-app purchase or via an auto-renewing monthly or annual subscription plan. * Your credit card on file will be charged to your App Store Account once you confirm your purchase. If you purchased an Annual Membership or Monthly Subscription plan, your App Store account will be charged again when your subscription automatically renews at the end of your current subscription period unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID Account Settings any time after purchase. * Gumroad * Gumroad provides the online purchase experience, handling invoicing, payment methods, license management, activations, and refunds. ### Pro license conditions for home users * If the license is purchased via the Mac App Store, a single license can be used on all Macs tied to the same Apple ID used to purchase the app. * If the license is purchased via Gumroad, a single license key is meant to be used on up to 5 Macs owned by the purchaser. ### Pro license conditions for business users * Businesses that would like to use the app in any way beyond a reasonable evaluation period are required to buy a Pro license. This is not enforced by the app, however, and businesses are asked to comply with the terms laid out here. * If you need volume licensing for more than 5 users, contact me. * Non-profits, charities, etc. are not considered businesses. ### Refund policy * Refunds to purchases made via the Mac App Store are handled by Apple. Please refer to the following [link](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118223) for more information. * Purchases made via Gumroad are final and there are no refunds. By downloading the app, your agree to lose the right to withdrawal after a purchase. Gumroad has additional details about refunds on [this page](https://help.gumroad.com/article/51-what-is-gumroads-refund-policy). ### Compatibility Issues * The app is heavily dependent on the platform (macOS), Apple Photos, and AppleScript. Sometimes Apple makes changes to these components which may affect the operation of the app. * Incompatibility issues are not grounds for refunds. ### Disclaimer of Warranties * By using this app, you agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the developer from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and all costs and expenses of defense, including but not limited to, attorneys' fees, resulting directly or indirectly from a claim by a third party that arises in connection with your use of this app. *** ## Changes to This Policy We reserve the right to modify these terms and privacy policy at any time, so please review it frequently. * April 3, 2024: Added link to Apple Standard End User License Agreement. * March 25, 2024: First published.