Good flow starts with a clean setup.
Everything Screenshot Shelf needs, nothing it does not. Start here when a library cannot see your images or macOS asks for folder access.
Getting started
A short setup using your own screenshot. Requires macOS 26 or later.
- Open Screenshot Shelf
Click Continue on the welcome screen.
- Create or choose your Screenshots folder
Choose an existing folder, or create a dedicated home for new Mac captures.
- Connect and verify one screenshot
Click Open Screenshot Save Options. Under Options > Save to > Other Location, select the same folder. Take a new screenshot, wait for New screenshot detected, then continue. Shortcut help is available under Don't know how to take screenshots?
- Connect Downloads
Select your Downloads folder, then click Continue. This is a separate folder permission.
- Connect Apple Photos, if you want
Click Connect Photos, allow access when macOS asks, then choose Try Your Shelf. Photos is optional: Skip for now continues without connecting it. The flower icon switches to Photos whenever you need it.
- Try your own image
Open the side shelf, try selecting or dragging the screenshot you just made, then click Finish Setup. No sample images are added, and the practice actions are optional.
To repeat setup, open Settings > General > Help & Privacy > Run Setup Guide Again.
Common questions
Clear answers to the first things macOS may ask.
Which Macs are supported?+
Screenshot Shelf requires macOS 26 or later on an Apple silicon or Intel Mac.
Why does Screenshot Shelf need folder access?+
macOS requires explicit permission before an app can display, search, drag, or delete files in a folder. Screenshot Shelf can access only the Screenshots and Downloads locations you choose through the system picker.
Are my images uploaded?+
Your images are not uploaded to Lumany. Search, thumbnails, notes, and organization run on your Mac. Sharing uses the destination you choose, and Apple handles any iCloud Photos downloads.
Why is a new screenshot not appearing?+
Confirm that macOS is saving screenshots to the same folder shown under Settings > Folders. If the path changed or access was revoked, choose that folder again. Other folder changes are detected automatically.
How do I switch between Screenshots, Downloads, and Photos?+
Double-click either neighboring icon in the three-icon switcher on the shelf or full library. The selected view moves to the center. Shift-Command-D also cycles views.
How do I connect Apple Photos?+
Use the optional Photos step during setup: click Connect Photos and grant access when macOS asks. Choose Try Your Shelf when connected, or Skip for now. You can also connect later from the Photos view. If access was previously denied, Connect Photos opens the Photos privacy controls in System Settings. Photos shows still images, including Live Photo stills; videos and album editing are not included.
Can I share HEIC pictures with other apps?+
Yes. When you copy, drag, or share a HEIC or HEIF image from Shelf, it prepares a full-resolution JPEG or PNG that other apps can use. Originals remain unchanged. A Photos original stored in iCloud may need to download first. Files shared directly from Finder or another app keep their original format.
Where can I see image size, dates, or camera settings?+
Select an image in the full library. The right-side Details panel has an At a glance summary and expandable categories for the metadata available in that image. Your expanded categories stay open as you browse. Load full details from iCloud retrieves an original only when you request it.
Does renaming in Shelf change my Photos library?+
Photos titles, notes, pins, and review decisions are private Shelf metadata. They do not rename or edit the original in Apple Photos. Folder-based files can be renamed on disk.
How do I recover a deleted image?+
Folder-based files go to macOS Trash; Command-Z can undo a Shelf trash action during the same session. Photos deletions use Apple Photos after confirmation and can be recovered in Photos → Recently Deleted. Removing an item from the shelf does not delete its original.
How do I add a note?+
Right-click an image and choose Add Note. Notes stay private on your Mac and are included when you search.
How do I make screenshots arrive immediately?+
Press Command-Shift-5, open Options, and turn off Show Floating Thumbnail. New captures can then appear in the shelf without waiting for the system thumbnail.
How do I remove folder access?+
Choosing another folder replaces the saved folder permission. Removing Screenshot Shelf and its local application data clears its saved access and metadata.
Is the direct download verified by Apple?+
Yes. Direct builds are Developer ID signed and notarized by Apple, so they open through the normal macOS security flow. Mac App Store builds use Apple's standard installation flow.
Need a hand?
Email hello@lumany.co with what happened and your macOS version. We will help you get the shelf moving again.