Everything you just touched, in one list
Files and folders you open, save or download in your chosen folders appear at the top of the list straight away. Search the list by name to narrow it down.
Recents MenuBar App · Part of Recento Pro
Your recent files, right in the Mac menu bar
Reopen the file you had open a minute ago. Recents MenuBar App keeps everything you just touched in one list in the menu bar, filtered by type and one keystroke away.
macOS 14 or later · Apple Silicon & Intel
- Everything you just touched, in one list
- Only the folders you choose are watched
- Filter by type
- Make your own filters
You saved a file a few minutes ago and now you can't remember where. Finder's Recents is a long, mixed list in a window you have to open first, and every app keeps its own separate Open Recent menu.
Recents MenuBar App puts your recent files in the Mac menu bar. It watches only the folders you choose and lists every file and folder you touch there, newest first, the moment it changes. Click the icon, filter by documents, images, code or downloads, and open what you need. Or press ⌘1 to open the newest one without even looking.
What Recents MenuBar App does
Only the folders you choose are watched
Add the folders that matter, like Desktop, Documents, Downloads or a projects folder, and exclude any you don't want listed. Nothing else on your Mac is looked at. Pause a folder any time and resume it later.
Filter by type
Jump between All, Documents, Images and Folders in a click. With Recento Pro you also get Apps, Audio, Video, Coding and Downloads.
Make your own filters
Build a filter from file types to include or exclude, folders, size range, date modified, and words the name contains or excludes. Start from a template like Work Projects, Design Files or Large Files, and your filters sit in the sidebar under the built-in ones.
Favorites for the files you keep coming back to (Recento Pro)
Heart a file and it stays in Favorites, however far down the recent list it drops.
⌘1 to ⌘9 reopens a file instantly
With the list open, press ⌘1 to open the newest file, ⌘2 for the next, and so on. Badges next to each file show its shortcut.
A global shortcut to open it from anywhere
Press ⌘⇧R in any app to show or hide your recent files, or set your own shortcut. With Recento Pro, give each category its own shortcut too.
Pop it out into a floating window
Open your recent files under the menu bar icon, or pop them out into a floating window. Pin the window and it stays on top on that screen, even over full-screen apps. One click puts it back under the menu bar.
Right-click the icon for a quick menu
Right-click the menu bar icon for your five newest files, plus quick links to the floating window, the Recento Pro launcher, folder settings and Settings.
Your clipboard, in the same dropdown
A Clipboard section in the sidebar shows your recent copies next to your recent files, powered by Recento Clipboard.
How it works
- 1Click the Recents icon in the menu bar after installing Recento Pro.
- 2Choose the folders to watch, for example Desktop, Documents and Downloads.
- 3Work as usual. Files you open, save or download in those folders appear at the top of the list.
- 4Click the icon, or press ⌘⇧R, and open a file with a click or with ⌘1 to ⌘9.
- 5Optional: add custom filters and favorites, or pop the list out into a floating window.
Who it's for
- Designers jumping between exports, assets and mockups in several folders.
- Developers who want the files they just edited one keystroke away.
- Writers and office workers who save a document and then can't find where it went.
- Anyone who downloads a lot, and wants the newest download without opening Finder.
Free and paid
| Feature | Free version | Recento Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Recent files & folders | Included | Included |
| Floating & pinned window | Included | Included |
| Monitored & excluded folders | 3 each | Unlimited |
| File history | 15 files | 170 files |
| Apps, Audio, Video, Coding & Downloads | Not included | Included |
| Favourites | Not included | Included |
| Custom filters | 1 | Unlimited |
| Open recent files by key | ⌘1 to ⌘5 | ⌘1 to ⌘0 |
| Category & app opening hotkeys | Not included | Included |
| Clipboard tabs in the dropdown | All | All, Bookmarks & Top |
Recents MenuBar App is free to use. Recento Pro removes the limits for $9.99 a month or $99 one time, and unlocks every other module too.
Plans, trial and refund terms are on the Recento Pro pricing section.
Privacy and permissions
- Only folders you pick: Recents watches no folder until you add it, and only lists files inside the folders you chose. The whole home folder and the root of the disk can't be added, so it never sweeps your entire Mac.
- Folder access: when you add a protected folder like Desktop, Documents or Downloads, macOS may ask you to allow access. Recento Pro remembers the folders you chose so it can keep watching them after a restart.
- Stays on your Mac: the recent list, favorites and filters are stored locally. Nothing about your files is sent anywhere.
Requirements
- macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
- Apple silicon or Intel Mac.
- No special hardware. Works on any Mac with a menu bar.
Questions
How do I see recently opened files on my Mac?
Install Recento Pro and add the folders you work in to Recents MenuBar App. Every file you open, save or download there appears at the top of the list in the menu bar, newest first. Click the icon or press ⌘⇧R from any app.
Why don't I see files from every folder on my Mac?
Recents only lists files in the folders you choose to watch, on purpose. Add any folder where you keep work, like Desktop, Documents, Downloads or a projects folder. The free version watches up to 3 folders. Recento Pro has no limit.
Can I watch my whole home folder?
No. The home folder and the root of the disk are too broad and can't be added. Pick the specific folders you actually work in instead, which also keeps the list useful.
How many recent files does it keep?
The free version keeps the last 15 files. Recento Pro keeps the last 170.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to open recent files?
Yes. Press ⌘⇧R in any app to show the list (you can change the shortcut), then ⌘1 to open the newest file, ⌘2 for the next, and so on. The free version covers ⌘1 to ⌘5. Recento Pro goes up to ⌘0 for ten files.
Can I keep the recent files list on screen?
Yes. Pop the list out into a floating window and pin it. It stays on top on that screen, even over full-screen apps, and one click puts it back under the menu bar icon.
Can I filter by file type?
Yes. All, Documents, Images and Folders are free, and Apps, Audio, Video, Coding and Downloads come with Recento Pro. You can also build your own filters by type, folder, size, date and name: one in the free version, as many as you like in Recento Pro.
Is Recents MenuBar App free?
Yes, with limits: 3 watched folders, 15 files of history and one custom filter. Recento Pro removes the limits and adds favorites, more categories and more shortcuts.
Keep your recent files in the Mac menu bar
Download Recento Pro and put your recent files in the menu bar.
More from Recento Pro
Recento Clipboardthe same quick access for everything you copy.
Recento Dropa floating shelf to hold files while you move them between apps.
Recento Workspacessave and reopen the apps, tabs and folders of a whole project.
Recento Diala radial launcher for the apps and folders you use most.
Recento Statsanother one-click menu bar view, for disk space and battery.