Install and activate Fenn

Install Fenn, choose what you want to search, and let your Mac prepare it.

Install the app

1. Download Fenn from usefenn.com.
2. Open the download and follow the installer’s instructions to place Fenn in Applications.
3. Open Fenn from Applications.
4. Follow the setup screens and enter the license key from your purchase email when asked.

Fenn’s local AI is designed for Apple silicon Macs. Setup checks the resources available on your Mac. Use the model choices shown as suitable for your device.

Prepare your first files

Choose a small folder you recognize and the file types you need. Keep an internet connection while the required AI models download. Indexing then prepares your files on your Mac.

For visual searches, including text inside images and videos, choose All Files indexing. Text-Optimized is a lighter option for searchable text.

Find your first file walks through the setup and a real video search.

Permissions

Fenn may ask for access needed by the features you enable. App sources such as Notes need Full Disk Access; Memory needs screen-recording access. You can set up file search first and enable other sources later.

Connect notes and apps · Set up Memory

If setup stops

• License already active on another Mac: release the previous activation.
• Model download fails: check the download and connection.
• Files are still being prepared: keep Fenn running and check the progress at the bottom of its main window.