What exactly does DiskDawg do?
DiskDawg is a Mac app for external drives. It reads which folders and files are on your drives and makes everything searchable – even when the drive isn't plugged in. It also checks your backups and shows you how full each drive is.
What does “indexing” mean?
DiskDawg reads your drive once and creates a small catalog on your Mac. You decide how much goes in: Light stores folders, file names, size and date. Normal also stores small previews of photos and documents. Smart also stores still frames from your videos, so you can search for what's in them. Before you start, DiskDawg shows you how long it will take and how much space it needs – usually just a few MB. Your files are never copied or uploaded.
Can I find files when the drive isn't plugged in?
Yes, that's exactly what DiskDawg is made for. Once a drive has been indexed, you can search and browse it any time – even while it's sitting on the shelf.
How can I see what's on my external drive – without plugging it in?
By indexing the drive once with DiskDawg. After that, DiskDawg shows you the drive's folders and files any time, even when it's on the shelf – with previews, size and date. The catalog takes about 0.5 KB per file, so a drive with 10,000 files needs around 5 MB on your Mac.
Step-by-step guide (German).Why doesn't Spotlight find anything on a drive that isn't plugged in?
Spotlight only searches drives that are currently connected to your Mac. Unplug the drive and its results disappear. DiskDawg keeps its own catalog on your Mac, and that one stays – so you find files on every indexed drive, no matter which one is plugged in, and see right away which drive they're on.
Read more in the guide (German).Can I compare two folders or a backup?
Yes. With Sync & Verify you pick a source folder and a target folder, for example your project folder on the working drive and the same folder on the backup drive. DiskDawg compares the two folders and checks file by file whether the backup is complete. You can back up in one direction or sync both sides. (It always compares folders, not entire drives.)
Which drives are supported?
Any drive your Mac recognizes: external SSDs, classic hard drives, USB sticks and memory cards.
Are my files uploaded to the cloud?
Your files are not. They stay on your drives; previews and the search catalog stay on your Mac. Only drive names, free space and the folder structure (folder names, file counts, sizes) are stored online – so you and your team can see what's on which drive, even when it isn't plugged in. File names and contents never leave your Mac. With Dawg-Link, files go directly from Mac to Mac.
Can DiskDawg search by what's in a picture?
Yes. With the Smart Index, DiskDawg recognizes what's in your photos and videos. Just search for “mountains with snow” – even if the file is called IMG_0457. The AI runs directly on your Mac; nothing is uploaded. Search by image content is included in every plan, including Free.
What's the difference between Light, Normal and Smart?
Light captures folders, file names, size and date – the fastest option. Normal also creates previews for photos and documents. Smart also understands what happens in your videos: you can search by content and flick through the scenes with your mouse.
What is Dawg-Link?
With Dawg-Link you share individual folders from your drive and decide who on the team sees them. The folders show up in your colleagues' Finder – at the office just like at home. Files are only downloaded when they're needed, and for videos DiskDawg automatically creates lightweight editing files (proxies). Your team can also add their own files and folders – they're transferred to your drive automatically as soon as your Mac is online. Your originals stay untouched. Note: Dawg-Link ships with the next app update; the version currently in the App Store doesn't include it yet.
Does DiskDawg run on Windows or Linux?
No, DiskDawg is Mac only – macOS 14.6 or later.
Do I need an account?
Yes, a free DiskDawg account with email and password. It handles your plan, your team and the overview of drives that aren't currently plugged in. Your files still stay on your drives.
Can I switch plans at any time?
Yes, all plans can be cancelled monthly. You can switch at any time. Basic comes with a free 14-day trial; Business doesn't.
