Can I search my Mac by meaning instead of keywords?
macOS search matches words, not meaning. Trawl adds meaning search to the Mac with a small AI model that runs on the device. "Understand maths concepts with AI" can find a note titled "Linear Algebra Intuition" even though the words are different.
The built-in way (free)
- Spotlight: try synonyms one by one ("maths", "math", "algebra").
- Use Finder smart folders to save a search you repeat.
With Trawl
- Describe what you remember in a sentence.
- Results that matched by meaning are labelled "by meaning".
- Nothing is uploaded: the model is inside the app.
Questions
Is meaning search private?
In Trawl, yes. The model runs on your Mac and your files are never sent anywhere.
Which languages work?
Meaning search works best in English. Words in any language are still matched.
Describe it. Trawl finds it.
Files, photos, recordings, every browser and your clipboard, searched by meaning on your Mac. Your day, hour by hour. Nothing uploaded.
Download for Mac2 days free · macOS 26+ · Apple siliconRelated
Updated 2026-10-11.