Download

Get it for free

MacFolders is free. It is not on the Mac App Store, and this build is not signed with an Apple Developer ID. That is expected — the steps below cover the first-launch warning.

Latest release

MacFolders 1.6.39

A zip that contains MacFolders.app, a short install note, and update steps if you already have an older copy. Drag the app into Applications, then follow the first-open steps on this page.

Release history

17.3 MB · 9 September 2026

Beta offer: the email you enter above locks in 80% off Pro for life. Details.

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Requirements

What you need

macOS 14 Sonoma or later
Works on current macOS as well. The app is not sandboxed — a file manager needs disk access.
Apple Silicon or Intel
A universal Mac app. No Windows or Linux build on this page; this is the native MacFolders app.
A few megabytes on disk
The zip is 17.3 MB. After you drag the app to Applications, you can delete the zip.

Install

Put it in Applications

1
Unzip MacFolders-1.6.39.zip if your browser did not unzip it already.
2
Drag MacFolders.app into the Applications folder.
3
Open it the first time with Control-click, as described below. After that, a normal double-click is enough.

Not from the Mac App Store

How to open an unidentified developer app

macOS Gatekeeper blocks apps that are not notarized. MacFolders is not signed with an Apple Developer ID, so the first launch shows a warning. That is the same message you get for many apps distributed outside the store.

Preferred: Control-click → Open

In Finder, go to Applications. Control-click (right-click) MacFolders and choose Open. When macOS says the developer cannot be verified, click Open in that dialog. Confirm with your password or Touch ID if asked. macOS remembers the choice.

If you already double-clicked and macOS blocked it

Open System Settings → Privacy & Security. Scroll to the Security section. Next to a note that MacFolders was blocked, click Open Anyway. Confirm again in the dialog that follows. On recent macOS versions you may need to authenticate, and the Open Anyway button only appears after a blocked launch.

Do not disable Gatekeeper system-wide. Opening this one app with Control-click or Open Anyway is enough.

Permissions

Full Disk Access

To browse Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and other protected folders, add MacFolders in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access. Click + and choose MacFolders from Applications, or drag it onto the list.

From inside the app you can use File → Install to Applications Folder… and File → Full Disk Access Settings….

Windows NTFS disks

macOS mounts NTFS volumes read-only. A pane on such a disk shows a Read-only badge. Copy from the disk still works. Writing needs a remount from a tool such as Hasleo NTFS for Mac. Having that tool running is not enough while the system mount stays read-only — eject and mount again from its menu. Also add MacFolders and the NTFS tool under Full Disk Access.