ShelfPrivacy
Last updated 24 September 2026
What Shelf changes on your Mac
Shelf points the system’s screenshot location at its own folder while it is running. It changes three keys in the com.apple.screencapture domain — location, target and show-thumbnail — and puts your own values back when it quits, including after a crash. It explains this on first launch and does nothing until you agree.
Shelf never captures the screen itself, so it needs no Screen Recording permission. Your screenshots stay ordinary PNG files in a folder you choose.
What leaves your Mac
Three things, and nothing else.
- Activating your licence. When you enter your key, Shelf sends it to the licence server with your Mac’s name (as shown in Sharing settings) and a one-way hash that identifies this Mac to Shelf only. It is not a serial number, and no other app can match it. That is how a licence knows which three Macs it is on. Once a day Shelf asks the same server whether the licence is still valid; if the server cannot be reached, Shelf keeps working.
- Checking for updates. Once a day Shelf downloads a small public file from GitHub listing the latest version. The request carries nothing about you or your Mac beyond what any web request does. If there is an update, Shelf asks before installing it.
- Send Feedback, only if you use it. The window shows exactly what it will send before it sends it: your Shelf and macOS versions and, each behind its own switch, your settings and Shelf’s recent log. A screenshot is attached only if you pick one. Reports are kept for 90 days.
There is no analytics, no telemetry and no account. Your screenshots never leave your Mac unless you attach one to feedback.
Payments
Purchases are handled by Lemon Squeezy, the merchant of record. They receive your payment details and email address under their privacy policy; Shelf never sees your card.
Refunds
If Shelf isn’t right for you, write within 14 days of purchase for a full refund. No questions asked.
Removing Shelf
Quit Shelf before deleting it and your screenshot settings are restored. If it was removed while they were still redirected, run this in Terminal:
defaults delete com.apple.screencapture location defaults delete com.apple.screencapture target defaults delete com.apple.screencapture show-thumbnail killall screencaptureui