Tembo: Friendly File Search for Mac
You type a file name into Spotlight and get a long, mixed list of documents, mail, images and system clutter. You scroll, squint and still can't find it. Tembo is built for that moment. It uses the Spotlight index your Mac already has and sorts the results into groups by file type.
Quick facts
- Version: 3.2
- Platform: macOS 12.3 or newer, Spotlight indexing enabled
- Processors: Intel and Apple Silicon
- Price: about $15 USD
- Trial: a free trial is available
Key features
Results grouped by file type, with the top 10 up front
You start with a single text entry. Tembo shows the top 10 matches for each group, such as documents, PDFs, images and music. Often the file you want is already on screen.
Drill down to see up to 50,000 results
Open a group to see far more results. Filters change with the group. Images offer resolution and file type, messages offer subject, sender and recipient, music offers artist, and PDFs offer author. The filters only show options that exist in your results, so a Microsoft Word option appears only if Word files were found. Command-click several values to combine file types.
Rename, tag, trash or share straight from the results
You can rename, tag or trash files without opening Finder, and share them using Mail, Messages and other services. A File Info window gives an overview of key file properties.
Grid view, search by date and a menu bar button
Version 3 adds a grid view with icons or previews, options to search by time frame, and quick access to your favorite file tags. You can also hide rarely used groups, change the font size and date format, and call Tembo from the menu bar or a global keyboard shortcut.
Who it's for
Tembo suits Mac users who search for files by name all day and find Spotlight's single list slow to scan. If you need boolean operators or search templates, the vendor points to its more powerful app, HoudahSpot.
Pros and cons
- Pro: Grouped results get you to the right file faster than a single list.
- Pro: Filters are specific to each file type.
- Pro: It runs on top of the existing Spotlight index, so there is nothing new to index.
- Con: It only finds what Spotlight has indexed. That excludes most system files and hidden files.
- Con: Apple Mail search is no longer available since macOS Sonoma.
- Con: The Mac App Store version is sandboxed. It is at version 2.7, lacks the Mail plug-in, and some features exist only in the direct download.
What users say
"What Spotlight should be…" – JeffDeve, via Mac App Store, as shown on the Houdah Software site.
"Easily the Best Search Tool I have used on Mac OS" – Scott Schnell, via Mac App Store, as shown on the Houdah Software site.
FAQs
Does Tembo replace Spotlight?
No. It uses the Spotlight index and engine, so it finds any file Spotlight has indexed, including files in the Library folders.
Does it run on Apple Silicon?
Yes. Tembo is optimized for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
What is the difference between the App Store and direct download versions?
The App Store version runs in the macOS sandbox. It must ask permission before accessing files or folders, and some features are only in the direct download.
Can I try it first?
Yes. A free trial is available.
System requirements
- macOS 12.3 or newer
- Spotlight indexing enabled
- Intel or Apple Silicon Mac