Retrace Docs
How can we help?
Find the right moment, tune your recording, and keep your Timeline under control.
18 guides, organized by what you want to do
Start using Retrace
Install the app, finish setup, and open your Timeline.
Find a moment
Search, filter, and move through your Timeline quickly.
- Text Search and Meaning SearchFind a past screen by its visible text or by the idea you remember, with processing performed on your Mac.
- Time NavigationJump to a specific moment or narrow the Timeline to a day, week, or custom date range.
- App FilteringNarrow the Timeline to one or more applications so the right moment is easier to spot.
- Fast ScrubbingHold Shift while scrolling to move through hours of your Timeline in seconds.
- Retrace My StepsReview the apps, notes, and key content around any moment in the previous 30 minutes.
Organize and understand
Add context, share frames, and review how you spent your time.
- NotesAttach a text or voice note to a moment, then find that context alongside your Timeline.
- LabelsTag important moments with color-coded labels and filter the Timeline by category.
- Exporting and Sharing FramesCopy, save, or share a Timeline frame at its stored resolution.
- Activity InsightsReview focus, screen time, hourly activity, and app-switching patterns computed from your recordings.
Control recording and privacy
Choose what Retrace records and when it should pause.
- App ExclusionsPrevent Retrace from recording selected apps permanently or during a temporary time window.
- Timed Recording PausePause recording for a set duration and let Retrace resume automatically when the timer ends.
- App LockProtect access to your Timeline with Touch ID or a custom passcode.
- Battery SaverReduce recording frequency automatically while your Mac is running on battery power.
Manage your data
Control storage, retention, backups, and restores.
Reference and help
Look up shortcuts or get an answer to a common question.