Opened Arras, but don’t see a window?
Arras lives in your Mac’s menu bar. Click its icon to open Settings or add a photo. Closing Settings leaves your desktop widgets running. You can reopen Settings from the menu or with Command-comma.
For a first widget, choose Add → Add Photos or Videos. To explore without choosing personal photos, choose Add → Try an Example and edit the bundled scene.
A photo or album isn’t showing?
Start with a local picture through Add → Add Photos or Videos. Photos albums require Photos access; review it in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Photos. Downloading an iCloud-only photo also needs a connection.
Ordinary photo widgets do not need Screen Recording, Full Disk Access or Accessibility permission. Screen Recording is only needed for the optional screen-region capture command.
Linked albums and folders keep managed local snapshots. Check that the source collection still contains your images. Collections, slideshows & collage help →
App Store & your existing library
Is Arras Widgets available on the Mac App Store?
Yes. Arras Widgets is the Mac App Store edition of Arras, priced at US$4.99 in the United States. Local prices may vary. It requires macOS 14.0 or later and supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. The free, open-source direct download remains available.
How is Arras Widgets different from the free download?
Both editions put photo widgets, editable collages and slideshows on your Mac desktop. The Mac App Store edition is a separate paid purchase, is sandboxed, receives updates through Apple, and does not send Arras usage statistics. The free direct download receives updates from GitHub and sends the limited statistics described in Security & Privacy. Photos and layouts stay on your Mac in both editions.
Arras Widgets on the Mac App Store ↗Edition privacy and storage ↗
Can I bring my existing Arras library to the App Store edition?
Yes. The App Store edition has a separate library in its app container. In Preferences, explicitly select your existing library folder to import it. Importing leaves the original library unchanged. Export an .arras backup before switching editions, and keep your original photos.
Why buy Arras Widgets if the direct download is free?
Buying Arras Widgets supports independent development of Arras. It is a one-time purchase, with installation and updates managed by Apple. This edition is sandboxed and sends no Arras usage statistics. With Family Sharing enabled, up to six family members can use it.
The core photo widgets, editable collages, slideshows and saved setups are also available in the free, open-source direct download. Choose the Store edition for its purchase and update experience and to support the maker; you do not need to buy it to keep using the free edition.
Updates, downloads & purchases
Mac App Store edition. Apple manages your purchase, downloads and app updates. Open the App Store on your Mac to check for updates. To download a previous purchase, use the Apple Account that bought Arras Widgets. It is a one-time purchase; local prices may vary. With Family Sharing enabled, up to six family members can use the app.
Set up Family Sharing ↗ · Request an eligible purchase refund from Apple ↗
Apple’s redownload instructions ↗ · Apple purchase and billing support ↗
Free direct download. Updates come from the official GitHub release. Review the update controls in Arras Preferences. Download and installation instructions →
For an app problem, email yashashwisinghania@gmail.com. For a privacy request, see Security & Privacy. Report a security issue through the private reporting instructions ↗.