Search saved posts, picture text and comments in Smylte

Before you start

Save the relevant entry first. Available text and comments vary by source and import settings; a missing or unloaded comment cannot become searchable merely by entering a query.

For older pictures, open Settings and find Make old pictures searchable. Choose Read them now to recognize available local pictures. This adds searchable words without uploading, downloading or changing those pictures.

How to do it

1. Search Library with a remembered word

   Open Library and type into Search saved posts. With All words selected, two words require both; quotes group an exact phrase and -word excludes a word. Any word accepts either positive term. Exact phrase treats the whole query literally, so -word is not an exclusion there. For example, try ginger noodles.

2. Choose where to search

   Use Where to search to select Everything, Post text, Pictures or Replies. Remove restrictive filters if an expected result is missing. Pictures searches recognized text rather than visually understanding every object in an image.

3. Inspect a matching picture

   Switch to Image mode (beta) and keep a keyword query with Where to search set to Everything or Pictures. Open a matching image-card thumbnail to show Search matches. Use Previous match, Next match or Show match boxes to inspect recognized lines. Opening a picture directly from an ordinary post card can instead open its local file, without these boxes. The underlying picture stays unchanged.

4. Try an idea instead of exact wording

   Return to Library before using Search by meaning; this option is unavailable in Image mode (beta). Turn it on beside the search field and use Prepare search if prompted. Follow the progress, use Stop to keep completed work, and Resume to continue. Keyword search remains available during preparation.

5. Read the original excerpt

   Try an illustrative query such as quick dinner when the saved text says 10-minute ginger noodles. Inspect Related original text and the saved entry before choosing a result. Approximate relevance does not establish that the post meets every requirement in your question.

One search, different kinds of saved evidence

A recipe may be in an Instagram caption, a workshop detail in a Facebook picture, or a useful instruction in saved Threads comments. X entries and accessible Patreon text can also contribute where successfully saved. These examples describe possible saved content, not complete capture of every platform’s replies or attachments.

Pinterest downloads do not automatically become Library entries. If you add an available picture from your computer to the Library and recognize its text, that local image can contribute to searches.

Meaning search is separate from cloud categorization

Meaning search uses the packaged model on your device and needs no API key. The model occupies additional storage even while the feature is off; initial indexing takes time, and Library changes can require preparation again. Speed and language accuracy depend on the content and device, so there is no guaranteed response time or perfect cross-language match.

Optional AI categorization is a different feature. It sends relevant selected post text, author handles, recognized picture text and allowed category names directly to Google Gemini with your own API key. Category merging sends existing and allowed category names. Provider usage limits or charges may apply; this is not required for local search.