# What stays on your Mac when CubbyPad suggests apps?

CubbyPad’s usage-based suggestions stay on your Mac, and Apple Intelligence task suggestions use the on-device model. Licensing, updates, sync and speech have separate data paths.

By [Rudra Satani](https://cubbypad.com/about/), maker of CubbyPad · 26 October 2026

## Routine suggestions use local app history

The suggestions strip considers which apps you open and when. That usage history stays on the Mac. It helps CubbyPad suggest relevant apps at a particular time rather than sending a behavioral history to an analytics service.

The strip is separate from the arrangement you made. Suggestions can change with your routine without moving the icons in your pages and folders.

## Task suggestions use the Mac’s model

With Apple Intelligence enabled on a supported Mac, describing a task can help find relevant apps. CubbyPad uses the on-device model for this. The model-assisted part is optional; ordinary name search works without it.

This describes CubbyPad’s app-search feature. It should not be read as a claim about every Apple Intelligence feature or every service elsewhere on the Mac.

## Local app history does not mean no network use

- License activation and periodic checks contact the CubbyPad license server.

- Update checks look for a new release.

- Optional layout sync uses your own iCloud Drive.

- Voice input uses macOS speech recognition, whose processing depends on on-device availability.

## Read the policy for the feature you turn on

These are separate systems with different purposes. The privacy policy explains the records used for licensing and support, optional sync, and speech handling. Check that page before treating the entire app as offline or assuming that every optional feature has the same data path.

Published by CubbyPad’s maker. See [about CubbyPad](https://cubbypad.com/about/) for the author and product details. For corrections, [get in touch](https://cubbypad.com/contact/).

## Put it into practice.

[Guide

### Find apps, files and answers with search

Use names, initials, nicknames, sums and System Settings keywords. Run a Shortcut or open an app’s recent files from the same field.

Read guide ↗](https://cubbypad.com/guides/search/)[Guide

### Search for apps with your voice

Click the microphone or press Command–D, say what you need, and let a pause finish listening.

Read guide ↗](https://cubbypad.com/guides/voice-search/)[Guide

### Set up layouts, Focus and iCloud sync

Keep separate app arrangements, pair them with a Focus, and share them through your own iCloud Drive.

Read guide ↗](https://cubbypad.com/guides/layouts/)

## More on privacy and maintenance.

[### Mac storage vs memory: which app cleanup do you need?

Uninstalling an app can free disk space. Quitting a running app can free memory. CubbyPad exposes both kinds of information, but they answer different questions.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/mac-storage-vs-memory-unused-apps/)[### Hide, uninstall or remove leftovers: three different Mac actions

Hiding changes your grid. Uninstalling removes an application. Reviewing leftovers concerns separate support files. Decide which result you want before using Cleanup.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/hide-trash-app-leftovers-mac/)[### Why CubbyPad’s suggested apps change through the day

CubbyPad’s suggestions strip uses local app-opening history and time of day. It can change with your routine while leaving your chosen pages and folders in place.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/app-suggestions-time-of-day-privacy/)

## Make room for your apps.

Every feature. One-time purchase. Made for macOS 26.

[Find your plan](https://cubbypad.com/pricing/)

Source: https://cubbypad.com/blog/local-ai-app-search-privacy-mac/