FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Float.
How does folder watching work?
Float watches specific folders you choose and displays your recent files in the menu bar panel. By default, only files directly inside those folders are shown. If you want to see files in nested subfolders too, enable Include Subfolders in Settings under Watched Folders.
Will it slow down my Mac?
Float is lightweight. Thumbnail generation runs in the background using Apple’s native ImageIO framework. The “Max files shown” setting (default: 100) keeps memory usage low. Even with subfolder scanning enabled, Float caps the number of files it renders.
Can I watch my entire home folder?
Technically yes, but we recommend watching specific folders (Desktop, Downloads, Projects) for the best experience. Large folder trees with subfolder scanning enabled may increase initial load time.
Where are thumbnails stored?
Thumbnails are cached in your system cache folder (~/Library/Caches/app.filefloat/). You can clear them anytime in Settings under Thumbnail Cache.
Does Float access my files?
Float reads file metadata (name, size, date) and generates thumbnails locally using Apple’s native frameworks. No data ever leaves your Mac. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
How do I uninstall Float?
Drag Float.app to the Trash. To also remove cached thumbnails, delete ~/Library/Caches/app.filefloat/. Settings are stored in localStorage within the app’s WebView data, which is removed automatically when you trash the app.