Why don't you like Pages?

For heavy word processor users who don't want to use Pages, and aren't required to use MS Word for work, what features is Pages missing or what don't you like about it?

https://redd.it/1p0p20u
@macappsbackup

I made MindHalo – a macOS Study Assistant Using On-Device Foundation Models

https://preview.redd.it/4063na7fl32g1.png?width=2394&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b8b7ea4f5728dd35207a47dd95684a2ba9b5a91

https://preview.redd.it/i814287fl32g1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=ea8cc186dedfd521fc899d20584e8b7525f1ee99

https://preview.redd.it/qlh7117fl32g1.png?width=2386&format=png&auto=webp&s=c5a1203682d22e2ff5c7fe41f48350f2246019b6

I’ve been building a macOS study assistant called MindHalo, and I’d love to get feedback from people who use study tools or develop macOS apps. It’s built with SwiftUI and uses Apple’s Foundation Models API, so all AI processing happens directly on the device.

# What it does

AI Study Tutor
• Answers questions with contextual follow-ups
• Clean, focused chat interface

Study Guide Generator
• Converts pasted notes or topics into structured outlines
• Includes explanations and examples
• Saves guides locally on your Mac

Flashcards
• Generates flashcards from any text
• Simple flip-card UI with progress tracking

# Licensing & Privacy

• Hardware-bound license system
• All data stays on the device (nothing sent to servers)
• During the beta, everyone gets a free lifetime license — even after the app becomes paid
• A key can be generated on the site (limited to one per IP)

If you’re interested, the project page has screenshots, feature details, and the current build:
**https://mindhalo.techfixpro.net/**

I’m especially looking for thoughts on the interface, workflow, and general performance. It targets macOS 26+ on Apple Silicon.

https://redd.it/1p0r7yp
@macappsbackup

Free alternative to Macdroid? I just want to plug in my android phone and transfer files, doesn't have to do anything else. No network/cloud/wireless sending crap please, just something that allows a physical connection.

All the alternatives I keep finding are wireless, whether through online or local network e.t.c..... I just want to plug in my phone to the mac and transfer files, that's it. Thanks

https://redd.it/1p0rzyc
@macappsbackup

Early Black Friday Quilt - Screenshot Automation Tool (30% off early access)

Hey everyone!

I’m the developer of Quilt, a macOS app that automatically screenshots and switches pages by itself. Perfect for archiving content you can't just download or "save as" all locally and on-device.

https://preview.redd.it/j0gu5bge442g1.png?width=2372&format=png&auto=webp&s=9788b759018c615446a5836ef44ed81180e08a29

We will be running an official Black Friday sale later but I wanted to reach out and provide r/macapps visitors an early access to our largest discount yet since launch!

# 🎁 Early Black Friday Deal

30% off Lifetime License

🔗 quiltformac.com

💬 Code: EARLYBF30 (or via this link)

I’ll hang around in comments if you have any feedback or feature questions!

Feel free to drop a comment or DM me, I’d love to hear your thoughts 🙏

https://redd.it/1p0tmps
@macappsbackup

TimeGuide is Available for macOS! Would love to hear, what mac-specific features do you want from your daily planner?

https://redd.it/1p0svtq
@macappsbackup

I built a small macOS app for quick Swift/Python experiments: Notepad.exe

Hey, I’m Marcin. I got tired of opening a full IDE just to test a small Swift idea, so I built something for myself and ended up using it a lot. It’s called Notepad.exe. The name started as a joke, and I never changed it.

It’s a small macOS app for writing Swift or Python and running it right away. It starts fast, keeps the footprint reasonable, and doesn’t ask you to set anything up before you can start typing.

https://preview.redd.it/wis66y9ww42g1.jpg?width=3528&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=683ad82672c8bac36a42dcdace56396236c8a774

I added a set of templates too, because I kept repeating the same setups. They make it easy to jump into something more structured when you need it. And if you want to go beyond quick experiments, you can actually build full apps with it as well.

The goal is a "batteries included" workflow. Single-file Swift with SwiftPM support works out of the box. Switching Swift toolchains works out of the box. Running Swift on Linux targets from macOS works with no extra installs or Docker steps. Just open it and go.

I mostly use it to play with APIs or sketch ideas before they vanish. If you try it, let me know what feels rough in your own workflow or what you’d want a tool like this to do better. Still refining it based on real feedback.

available at notepadexe.com

https://redd.it/1p0x889
@macappsbackup

Music miniplayer which stays on top even after switching spaces?

The spotify mini player does this, but i have decided to not use spotify anymore. i just download in lossless

i tried using iina, and apples native music player but their miniplayer stays in only one spays while spotify's miniplayer stays on top even after switching spaces.

any other miniplayers which allow me to do this?

https://redd.it/1p12qye
@macappsbackup

Any replacement for Peek (QuickLook Suite)?
https://redd.it/1p11aes
@macappsbackup

Collections Database Hits a Sweet Spot

[Collections](https://preview.redd.it/jrmlgh8ub72g1.png?width=2610&format=png&auto=webp&s=011ecc1ab6a87661a551b808e3f8c03b1793164e)



[Collections Database ](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/collections-database/id1568395334) is a user-friendly app by developer Matteo D'Ignazio, with an easy learning curve. It's not made for SQL experts or those who need complicated relational connections. For most Mac users who want a polished and well-supported way to manage and track collections, inventories, and various items, it's almost a no-brainer, supporting macOS and iOS and costing only $6.99 on the Mac App Store for the pro version. There is a free version, limited to 100 records, but sufficient for testing if you want to try before you buy.

# What's To Like

* **Ease of Use**: Made for everyday use without requiring prior database experience or SQL skills.
* **Flexibility**: Over 20 different field types. Easy to customize and adapt for books, media, gear, inventory, etc.
* **Templates**: No need to start from scratch for common database types.
* **Apple Shortcut Support**: Easy to automate.
* **Privacy**: No ads and no login required. Data syncs via iCloud.
* **Price:** Compared to FileMaker Pro, which is a whopping $45 a month.
* **Visual Features**: The ability to use barcodes/images makes it more appealing than just a plain text app. You can add book jackets, movie posters, etc.

# Caveats

* Not an enterprise app for those who need a full relational database with SQL support.
* The free tier is suitable for small collections and testing only.
* Moving single records between collections is kind of janky and not well supported.
* For UI/UX nerds, it can feel like an iPad port because some features don't have a native macOS feel.
* While it does have advanced features like formulas and linking, the documentation could be better, and the learning curve is a little steep in these areas.
* Performance can degrade with large collections (thousands of items) if there are many images and files attached.

I have Collections databases for quotes, specific groups of movies, and tech purchases. I've also found downloadable ready-made databases shared by other users. The developer, Matteo D'Ignazio, has a great reputation for being helpful and supportive, always a plus.

https://redd.it/1p15l48
@macappsbackup

Monarch: An app that brings a new level of Productivity, Speed, and Power to macOS 12+ — 48% off + Lifetime updates (Limited availability)

https://redd.it/1p16s0i
@macappsbackup

Latest Software Updater - Bugs

Anyone who is using Latest to update third-party apps is experiencing bugs with the app?

https://preview.redd.it/yxkwffng282g1.png?width=1596&format=png&auto=webp&s=4d54cf3da6bc71801ba94050f97c052a02734b7f

For example, this is happening for every app that Im trying to update.

https://redd.it/1p18thq
@macappsbackup

[Free App] I built a Safari dark-mode extension for macOS — would love your feedback (Nuit)

Hey everyone,

Hope you're doing well.

I recently released a small macOS app called **Nuit**, a **free Safari extension** that forces dark mode on websites that don’t support it.


Link to download: [https://apps.apple.com/app/id6755113041](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6755113041)

https://preview.redd.it/i1n7njecf62g1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=2175966d9fab502d64cf79f0567f86cb14ba7b84

I made it because I browse a lot at night and got tired of websites blasting my eyes with bright backgrounds, especially sites that ignore system dark mode

# 🌙 What Nuit does:

* Forces dark mode on most websites (even ones without native dark themes)
* Automatically respects your macOS light/dark mode
* Lets you toggle the extension per-site
* Super lightweight, no tracking, no ads, no accounts
* Free on the Mac App Store

https://preview.redd.it/6gty6nahf62g1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=942430d53ab223f83bb1d1ff5e184bc5980ab9f2

If you’re someone who browses late at night or prefers dark themes everywhere, I’d love for you to try it and tell me what to improve.

Thanks, and have a nice day.

Best,

Kenny

https://redd.it/1p12dlx
@macappsbackup