What the desktop app is
Owlect runs in any browser, so you never have to install anything. If you prefer a real app, there is a free desktop app for Mac, Windows and Linux. It opens your collections in their own window with a dock or taskbar icon.
Same account, same collections. The app shows the same Owlect as owlect.app. Everything you add in the app appears on the website and on your phone, and the other way round.Every feature is included. The app loads owlect.app itself, so new features reach it the moment they go live on the website, without updating the app.Free. The app costs nothing. Your plan (Free, Plus or Pro) is the same in the app and on the website.Get it at owlect.app/download. The page recommends the right download for your computer.
Downloading and installing
Mac (macOS 12 or later, Apple Silicon or Intel):
1Click Download for Mac, open the downloaded file and drag Owlect into Applications2Open Owlect. macOS says it can't verify the app: close that message3Open System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll down, click Open Anyway next to Owlect and confirmOn macOS 14 or earlier: right-click Owlect in Applications, choose Open, then Open again.
Windows (Windows 10 or later):
1Click Download for Windows and run the downloaded installer2If Windows shows "Windows protected your PC", click More info, then Run anyway3Owlect opens when the install finishesLinux (64-bit, x86_64):
AppImage: allow the file to run (Properties > Permissions, or chmod +x), then open it.deb (Debian, Ubuntu): open it with your software installer, or run sudo apt install ./Owlect-linux-amd64.debYou only go through these steps once.
Why the warning?
Owlect isn't signed with a paid Apple or Microsoft certificate yet, so macOS and Windows show a warning the first time you open it. The app only opens owlect.app, and its code is public on GitHub.
Signing in
Google doesn't allow sign-in inside apps, so the app signs you in through your browser:
1In the app, click Sign in with your browser2owlect.app opens in your browser. Sign in there if you aren't already, and confirm3You're back in the app, signed inYou do this once. The app stays signed in after you close it. See How to Sign In for the sign-in options.
Scanning barcodes
Barcode scanning works in the app the same way as on the website (see Adding Items):
Menu shortcut: choose View > Scan Barcode, or press Cmd+Shift+B (Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows and Linux), to open the scanner from anywhere in the appWebcam: hold the box up to your camera. On Mac, the system asks for camera access the first timeUSB barcode scanner: click the barcode field and scan. The scanner types the number for youOn Mac, the app may ask for camera access again after an update.
Updates
The website part of Owlect updates itself, so the app rarely needs a new version.
Windows: the app downloads new versions in the background and installs them the next time you quit OwlectMac and Linux: when a new version is out, the app shows a message with Download and Later. Download opens the download page, where you get the new version the same way as the first time. Later skips that versionGood to know
Links open in your browser. Links to BoardGameGeek, Discogs and other sites open in your regular browserOffline. Owlect needs an internet connection. Without one, the app shows a "You're offline" screen with a Try again buttonHelp menu. Help > Owlect Help opens this help center on owlect.app, and Help > Contact Support opens an email to support@owlect.appNo app stores yet. The app is only available from owlect.app/download. Owlect has no App Store, Microsoft Store or Google Play listing, so any app-store listing that claims to be Owlect isn't ours
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