[Expanso](https://espanso.org/) is a free and open-source text expander that runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux (but not iOS). It boasts many advanced features and would likely be my choice if I weren't so committed to Text Expander. I use it on my Debian and Xubuntu systems.
* [Typinator](https://ergonis.com/typinator) offers another advanced option available for a one-time purchase rather than a subnoscription. Typinator functions across all applications and works with names, dates, formulas, variables, images, calculations, and code.
* [aText](https://www.trankynam.com/atext/) \- Highly regarded and priced at $5. aText supports variables, syncing via iCloud and Dropbox, and is optimized for coders. It also has a Windows version. The current Mac version is 3.21, but many users appear to prefer the legacy version (2).
* [Snippety](https://snippety.app/) \- It features an excellent mobile version to accompany a polished desktop app with variable support and AI integration. There is no free trial, but it is available in the Mac App Store, enabling use across all your personal Apple devices. ($29.99)
* [TypeIt4Me](https://ettoresoftware.store/mac-apps/typeit4me/) \- This application has been around for a couple of decades and is a pioneer in its category. It remains actively developed and was updated for macOS 26 Tahoe and features iOS compatibility. I used it in the past, and from what I can observe, it continues to improve. ($19.99 in the Mac App Store)
* [Phrase Express](https://www.phraseexpress.com/mac/) \- I used the free Windows version of this software for quite some time before TextExpander released a compatible version. Phrase Express includes many enterprise-friendly features suitable for Microsoft environments, even in the Mac & iOS versions; however, at $99 for the most basic version (which includes just one year of updates), I find it challenging to recommend for the average user.

https://redd.it/1psfj61
@macappsbackup

I've built an app nobody bought

last 8 months been working on a NSFW content blocker for Mac, it uses AI for scanning your network and screen, if it detects NSFW content, closes the app showing it and blocks the internet for a while, as a tool for people dealing with this kind of content

The first version just blocks the common url's, doesn't analyze the screen, it launched 1 month ago on product hunt and my only sale is from myself when I was trying the checkout page

if you would like to try it and give me a review just lmk I'll send you a copy

https://preview.redd.it/bddtgu6dam8g1.png?width=1894&format=png&auto=webp&s=dcf8829c6b977975f8e49564c2bc02ee208a35b3



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

ON1 is it any good for the money, trial seemed ok and its on sale but some wording makes me worry for future bug updates and that they move versions a lot to make money.

I was just wondering if anyone uses the ON1 software to manipulate photos.

Its just some of the wording on the website seems a little strange in the fact it seems as if you can buy the current version outright but at any moment they will just change a slight digit and you are out of date and will not receive any bug updates.

I get you wont get feature updates for very long as I am not one of those people that think a company should constantly give you updates but I am a little concerned that they will not support the current version for long.

Its wording like this that makes me hesitate "Coming Next Month — and Yes, It’s Another Free Update"

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

Keyboard-Only Window Cycling with Stage Manager

I’m trying to figure out whether the following workflow is possible on macOS (BTT, Keyboard Maestro, Karabiner, etc)

I use Stage Manager, and within each stage I have multiple active windows (not minimized or hidden). What I’d like is:

Window cycling within a stage

I want to cycle through the active windows in the current stage using:

• Double Left Shift → move to the previous window

• Double Right Shift → move to the next window

Essentially a “rolodex” or circular window switcher limited to the current stage.

Stage cycling + window selection

I’d like to use Command + Up Arrow to cycle through Stage Manager stages. When I do this, Stage Manager expands the windows in that stage. From there, I want to immediately use the same Double Shift-based window cycling (from #1) to quickly move through the windows in the newly selected stage.

Is something like this achievable?

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

I can't record internal audio on my Mac.
https://redd.it/1psnm77
@macappsbackup

AlwaysOnTop - Keep a URL, PDF, Videos, Notes and more on top

I made a small, native mac app called "Always on Top"

http://alwaysontop.app

It lets you open anything in a window that stays on top of other windows i.e. URLs, PDFs, text, videos, notes, your camera feed, images etc.

Would love to know what you think or what else you’d want it to do.

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

Offline Universal File Converter

https://redd.it/1psq8in
@macappsbackup

Keyboard Maestro - Best Video I’ve seen

For those looking to finally learn Keyboard Maestro:

https://youtu.be/reXNfWQMiNU?si=VoYsYFkqGZtS61QE

https://redd.it/1psqlb6
@macappsbackup

Working on a clipboard sync app for Mac + Android — would love feedback

https://redd.it/1pssg6i
@macappsbackup

The story of how I ended up resetting my iMac while using the PearCleaner app.

One thing I want to make clear is that the PearCleaner app did not reset my iMac.

I really like the PearCleaner app. Even after this incident, I still do. I think PearCleaner is functionally an excellent app.

So, what exactly happened? I was, of course, deleting an app. It was a very small app, but strangely, it was taking up a lot of space. Since it was a local AI app, I assumed it was because of the AI models I had downloaded without thinking much about it. So, I deleted it.

Then the loading time got long, and that’s when I took a closer look at the detailed list. There were multiple ‘Contents’ folders, each quite large. But the paths were strange. I started seeing names of other apps that I wasn’t trying to delete. I quickly force-quit PearCleaner, but by then, the Trash was already filled with numerous Contents folders, each with numbers appended to the names.

I tried to find a way to recover them, but at least on the surface, I couldn’t find one. And restoring them one by one felt far too tedious.

I opened the apps one by one. They wouldn’t launch because they were broken. After thinking it over a bit, I decided to just reset my iMac. Luckily, I had already been considering either resetting it or buying a new Mac, or this situation would have been much more troublesome.

When using PearCleaner to delete apps, always check the details carefully.

https://redd.it/1psse6p
@macappsbackup

What apps, extensions & settings do you install/configure on a brand new Mac?

As the noscript says… you get a clean shiny new Mac/ MacBook… what do you do for initial setup?

https://redd.it/1psuwo5
@macappsbackup

Tessera Designer - Create beautiful, seamless patterns

https://redd.it/1pnoscript4j
@macappsbackup