Reading the report

After a scan, Shutterfold shows the result and writes a full report. The first line counts every file, for example 47,000 files in. 47,000 accounted for. Each file has one outcome. It is one of a set of copies, it is in one place only, it is only in the cloud, or it could not be read. When the numbers add up, the app says Every file has one outcome.

Extra copies

A set of copies is two or more files with the same bytes, under any name and in any source. You keep one file from each set. The others are extra copies.

The line gives the number of extra copies and the space they take, for example 17,390 extra copies. 41 GB, about US$10 a year. The cost is an estimate at US$0.25 per GB a year, which is about what the 50 GB to 200 GB plans of iCloud and Google One cost per GB. It shows only when it is US$5 or more.

The scan finds exact copies only. The merge also finds near copies: edited, cropped, smaller and re-saved photos. It arrives in an update, in the Free plan. See Free and paid plans.

One place only

These files exist in one place only. If that place fails, they are gone. Keep them safe before you clear anything.

The next line shows the gap between your two largest sources, for example 2,180 are on MacBook but not in Google Drive. Before you clear either source, these files need another home.

Only in the cloud

These files are only in the cloud, and each has the same size as another file, so they could be copies. The scan counts them and never downloads them, so it cannot compare them. Delete nothing there until they are compared. See files that are only in the cloud.

Could not be read

The scan found these files but could not read them. For example, a drive was disconnected during the scan, or macOS did not open the file. Scan again. If whole folders are missing, see Full Disk Access.

Files you have twice

The app shows up to six photos that it found more than once, with the places they are in. Click a photo to show it in Finder.

What to do next

Up to three steps, each with a source and a number. For example: 1,204 files exist only on MacBook. If this Mac fails, they are gone. Merge them before you clear anything.

The full report

Click Open the full report to open it in your browser. Click Show in Finder to see its folder. Each scan gets a new folder, named with the date and time. It holds four files:

• report.html, the report to read.
• report.md, the same report as plain text.
• report.json, the same data for other programs.
• catalogue.sqlite, the list of every file.

The report stays on your Mac. The notes at the end list what the scan left out and why.