Install & permissions

Download Floodlight.dmgNewest published GitHub release

The button resolves to the newest tagged release. Before the first release is published, build Floodlight from source instead.

System requirements

• Apple-silicon Mac
• macOS 14 Sonoma or later
• 10 MB of free disk space

Install

1. Open Floodlight.dmg.
2. Drag Floodlight to Applications.
3. Eject the Floodlight disk image.
4. Open Floodlight from Applications.

Folder access

Floodlight indexes your home folder by default. You can change that scope from the first-launch window or later through Settings… in the menu-bar menu. Without Full Disk Access, macOS can still prevent Floodlight from reading protected locations inside that scope.

Full Disk Access

Full Disk Access is optional. Grant it if you want protected locations in your home folder to appear in search. Click Grant access in Floodlight settings, then:

1. If Floodlight is already listed, enable it. Otherwise, click +, choose /Applications/Floodlight.app, and select Open.
2. Return to Floodlight. During initial setup, select Done to start the index. If you grant access later, press ⇧ ⌘ R to rebuild it.

If protected files still do not appear, quit and reopen Floodlight once, then rebuild the index.

To remove the permission later, open Floodlight Settings…, click Revoke…, then switch Floodlight off in the Full Disk Access pane.

Launch at login

Use the Launch at Login switch during setup. You can change it later from the menu-bar flashlight or under System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions.

Update

Download the newest DMG, quit Floodlight, and replace the existing copy in Applications.