Frequently asked questions
Everything about Screen Folders for Mac.
Screen Folders is a native macOS utility that keeps real Finder folders on your Mac desktop as compact tiles that expand on hover. The answers below cover what it does, what it costs, what it needs, and what it does with your files.
What is Screen Folders?
Screen Folders is a native macOS utility that keeps folders on your Mac desktop as compact tiles that expand when you hover over them. Each tile is a live view of a real folder in Finder, so opening, renaming, dragging, copying, deleting, and Quick Look all behave exactly as they do in Finder.
What problem does Screen Folders solve?
Screen Folders solves the cluttered Mac desktop. Instead of loose files scattered across the wallpaper or a Finder window you keep reopening, the folders you use most sit on the desktop in a compact form and expand into a file grid only when you move the pointer toward them deliberately.
Does Screen Folders replace Finder?
No. Finder stays in charge of the desktop and of your files. Screen Folders adds a lightweight layer on top for the folders you want close at hand, and it reads and writes through normal macOS file operations.
Does Screen Folders move or copy my existing folders?
No. When you link a folder it stays exactly where it is on disk, and Screen Folders displays a live view of its contents. You can also create a new managed folder if you would rather start fresh.
Which macOS versions does Screen Folders support?
Screen Folders requires macOS 26 or later. It is a sandboxed native Mac app and requests access only to the folders you choose through standard macOS permission dialogs.
How much does Screen Folders cost?
Screen Folders costs $15 as a one-time purchase for lifetime access. There is no subscription and no recurring charge. The Mac App Store edition uses Apple's localized equivalent of the same $15 price.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Screen Folders includes a 14-day free trial that starts at first launch and does not require a payment method or an account. You can buy lifetime access at any point during or after the trial.
Where can I download Screen Folders?
Screen Folders is available two ways: a direct download, and the Mac App Store. Both editions work with the same real folders and include the same lifetime access.
What is the difference between the direct edition and the Mac App Store edition?
The two editions have mostly the same features and the same lifetime access. Except the direct download has an extra option of a Liquid Glass background. Due to the App Store restrictions, it is missing there. The direct edition is a disk image you download from the Screen Folders website, updates itself with a built-in updater. The Mac App Store edition is installed, and updated through Apple.
Does Screen Folders work with multiple displays?
Yes. Each Screen Folder remembers where you placed it, including which display it belongs to, so a folder returns to the same screen and position after you reconnect a monitor or restart.
Can I drag and drop files and use Quick Look?
Yes. You can drag files into and out of a Screen Folder with the same gestures you use in Finder, and pressing the space bar opens a Quick Look preview without leaving the desktop.
Does Screen Folders collect my data or require an account?
No. Screen Folders has no account, no advertising, and no behavioral analytics, and it does not send your files or their contents to the developer. Your files, settings, and folder permissions stay on your Mac. The app sends limited diagnostic data when it crashes or becomes unresponsive.
Can I hide Screen Folders temporarily?
Yes. The Screen Folders menu bar item hides every Screen Folder in one click, and shows them again with Show All Screen Folders. There is also a temporary visibility setting in Preferences.
What happens if a linked folder moves or is renamed?
Screen Folders reports the folder as unavailable, which also happens when it lives on a disconnected volume. Choose Locate Folder in Screen Folders and select the folder again; your placement and appearance settings are kept.
Can I change how Screen Folders look?
Yes. Screen Folders includes appearance styles that work with light, dark, and vivid wallpapers, so a folder tile stays legible against whatever you have behind it.
How do I get support or request a refund?
Email support@delitx.dev for help, feedback, or feature requests. Refunds for direct purchases go through Paddle, the merchant of record, and refunds for Mac App Store purchases go through Apple's purchase history.
Still have a question?
Email support@delitx.dev, read the support page for troubleshooting steps, or see pricing for purchase details. You can download Screen Folders directly or get it from the Mac App Store.