Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about TimeScroll.
What does TimeScroll do?
It takes lightweight snapshots of your Mac’s screen at intervals so you can search and revisit anything you saw. Text becomes searchable.
Is my data private?
Yes. Everything is stored locally on your Mac in a local database; nothing is uploaded. Your data never leaves your device.
Does it constantly record video?
No. It saves still snapshots at smart intervals and skips near‑duplicates to reduce noise and storage usage.
What can I search for?
Words or phrases that appeared on your screen. Time ranges and app filters help narrow results.
Will it slow down my Mac?
It’s designed to be lightweight and adaptive. If your Mac is under heavy load, it intelligently pauses capture to preserve performance.
How do I start/stop capture?
With the button in the app! Or use the menu bar. You can also start minimized and auto‑start capture on launch in Preferences.
Which apps or windows are included?
It uses macOS Screen Recording permissions. You control these permissions in System Settings. You can also exclude specific apps in TimeScroll settings.
How long are snapshots kept?
You control retention and how older images are compacted in Preferences. You can choose to keep data for days, weeks, or forever.
What platforms are supported?
macOS 13+ on Apple Silicon / Intel.
Is it really free?
Yes. Free forever. TimeScroll is open source. If you find it useful, you can support development by making a donation!