How to search for files on a Mac
Updated 2026-10-15
Spotlight is quickest for opening something by name. Finder search is better when you need filters such as type, date and size. FileSift adds plain-English search that turns your words into filters you can see and change.
Spotlight
Press Command and Space, type part of a name or a phrase from inside the document, and press Return to open the result. Press Command and Return to reveal it in Finder instead. Use quotes for an exact phrase.
Finder search with filters
- In Finder, click the search box or press Command and F.
- Type a word, then choose Search This Mac or the current folder in the bar under the toolbar.
- Click the plus button to add a rule such as Kind, Last Opened Date or Created Date.
- Choose Other in a rule menu to add File Size.
Click Save to keep a search as a Smart Folder in the sidebar.
Plain-English search in FileSift
Type what you mean, such as pdfs from last week, videos over 2 GB or screenshots this month. FileSift shows how it understood the question as filters, so you can adjust them instead of guessing which words it picked up.
Common questions
Why does Spotlight miss my file?
Spotlight skips folders listed under Search Privacy in System Settings, and it can lag behind after a large move. Check that the folder is not excluded.
Can I save a Finder search?
Yes. Click Save in the search bar and it becomes a Smart Folder you can reopen any time.