NSM student setup · Mac only
Your first lesson capture.
Turn a permitted lesson link into a file you can study, a useful still or a short practice copy. Start with the exercise below before using GrabIt during a class.
The direct installer and signed in-app update offer the same release. You choose Update before installation.
1. Install and choose your folder
- Open the downloaded DMG and drag GrabIt into Applications. Open GrabIt from Applications; the installer is Developer ID signed and Apple notarized.
- Open GrabIt → Settings. Choose a download folder with enough free space. The default is
Downloads/GrabIt. Keep Prefer MP4 enabled for broad playback compatibility. - You do not need a login, browser access, screen-recording access, or a speech model for a normal public-link download. Grant browser or screen access only when you use that capture feature.
2. Complete one test download
Use this NSM 2–5–1 lesson example for the setup exercise, or a lesson you own or have permission to save.
- Copy the link. In GrabIt press ⌘L, paste it, and choose Best video. Leave Stills enabled, then press Download. ⌘⇧V pastes and downloads using your saved default mode.
- Wait for Done. Open or reveal the completed file in Finder. Check picture and audio at a comfortable level before a lesson; a successful transfer alone does not test your playback device.
- The Stills control opens Smart Moments after a video finishes. Review the suggested frames, select one and export a PNG, short clip or GIF. A suggestion is a starting point for your own selection.
3. Make it useful for practice
- Use Download Options (⌘⇧O) to choose an exact start/end range or save audio as MP3/M4A. Silent video removes the audio.
- Right-click a completed audio item in History and use Practice Versions to export a slower or transposed copy. Keep the original recording as your reference.
- For spoken lessons, right-click the completed item in History and choose Transcribe + Summarize. The first use downloads the selected Whisper model (about 142 MB for base or 466 MB for small); processing then runs on your Mac. Review musical names and terms before reusing the text or subtitles.
- Use Find for folders you approve. Images, videos and PDFs are studied once per changed file revision; saved results survive relaunch and the Mac reports changes made while GrabIt was closed. The first run after upgrading reconciles existing folders once without repeating unchanged analysis. Offline locations keep their saved results. Local filename, text and image-label search works without online Jev features. Openverse/Wikimedia images include licence and attribution information to review.
4. Set privacy and update preferences
Remember download history can be turned off in Settings. Remove history in the History tab clears GrabIt's saved entries and recent-document list, keeping your original media, settings and window placement. It does not erase other apps' history or system logs.
Optional online sorting/search and the iCloud inbox are off for new users. Enabling Jev can send titles, descriptions, names, labels and short text excerpts to its online service; original media files and local folder paths stay on your Mac. Optional iPhone sharing uses a Shortcut and a running Mac, not a standalone GrabIt iPhone app.
GrabIt → Check for Updates shows the signed release and its notes. Choose Update when convenient. Automatic checks run on opening, on returning after an hour and hourly while open. GrabIt delays replacement while downloads, helper processes, captures, indexing or an open media/export sheet are active. Closed or offline apps cannot receive an instant update.
If something fails
A YouTube or Instagram link fails
Check the public link in your browser and try the NSM example above. Private, expired, region-limited or login-only sources can behave differently. For content you are authorized to access, the Chrome-login option is available in Settings; it does not bypass source permissions. Use Update Engine Now after downloads finish if a site has changed. Keep the exact error and link for support.
Smart Moments or transcription is taking time
Long videos, high resolutions, model setup and codec conversion add work. Try a short range first and give GrabIt free disk space. Avoid assuming an unfinished row is complete. Transcription is optional for a normal download.
Browser capture or screenshots are blocked
Grant the relevant macOS Automation or Screen Recording permission only if you want that feature. Use the app's restart instructions after permission changes. No permission changes are needed for the public-link exercise.
My class uses Windows or iPhone
GrabIt currently runs on Mac. Do not distribute this DMG as a Windows or iPhone app. The optional iPhone Shortcut only passes a URL to a running Mac.
Support and reuse
Contact NSM support with your GrabIt version/build, macOS version, Mac chip, exact error and the link you tried. Include a screenshot of GrabIt only, with private details removed. Never send passwords, browser cookies, activation keys or unrelated student media.
Save content you own, have permission to use or can use under its licence. Downloading does not transfer rights or remove attribution requirements. Acceptable use · Nathaniel Labs release and proposed pricing