Integrating with Finder

There are two ways to integrate Merge with macOS Finder:

Using the Merge services for macOS;
Using the Merge extension for Finder (deprecated).

Araxis recommends using the Merge services for macOS to integrate with Finder. The Merge extension for Finder is no longer recommended and is deprecated for the following reasons:

As of macOS 15 Sequoia, Apple has removed the ability to enable and disable the Merge extension for Finder from macOS System Settings.
The Finder Extension commands are unavailable in certain contexts, such as a folder backed by some cloud storage providers (e.g. Dropbox).
The Merge services for macOS are enabled by default.
You can assign system-level keyboard shortcuts for the Merge service commands but not for those in the Finder extension.

The following commands are available, regardless of whether you use the Merge services or the extension for Finder:

Command	Description
`Compare Using Araxis Merge`	Compares the selected items using Merge.
`Queue for Comparison Using Araxis Merge`	Adds the selected items to a comparison queue. Queued items are included when you select another item and choose `Compare with Queue`. You can thus use this command to compare items located in different Finder tabs or windows.
`Compare with Queue Using Araxis Merge`	Compares the selected and queued items using Merge.
`Clear Araxis Merge Queue`	Removes any items from the queue.

Using the Merge services for macOS

The Merge services for macOS add commands to the Services submenu of application menus, and also to the equivalent submenu of the context menus that appear when you right-click (or Ctrl-click) selected files or folders in Finder. The services are enabled by default.

The services can be enabled or disabled – and optional keyboard shortcuts configured – as described below.

To enable or disable Merge services and configure keyboard shortcuts (macOS 13 Ventura and later):

From within Merge, choose the Araxis MergeServicesServices Settings… menu item.
The macOS System Settings will open the KeyboardKeyboard Shortcuts…Services page.
To enable a Merge service, check its box under the Files and Folders services category. A keyboard shortcut for the service may also be configured here.
To disable a Merge service, uncheck its box under the Files and Folders services category.
Click the Done button.

To enable or disable Merge services and configure keyboard shortcuts (for macOS 12 Monterey and earlier):

From within Merge, choose the Araxis MergeServicesServices Preferences… menu item.
The macOS System Preferences will open the KeyboardShortcuts page and navigate to the Services section.
To enable a Merge service, check its box in the Files and Folders services category. A keyboard shortcut for the service may also be configured here.
To disable a Merge service, uncheck its box in the Files and Folders services category.

Using the Merge extension for Finder (deprecated)

As described above, the Merge extension for Finder is deprecated in favour of the Merge services for macOS.

The Merge extension for Finder adds commands to the Finder context menus that appear when you right-click (or Ctrl-click) selected files or folders. The extension is not enabled by default and must therefore be enabled in macOS before it can be used.

To enable or disable the Merge Finder extension on macOS 15 Sequoia:

As of macOS 15 Sequoia, Apple has removed the ability to enable and disable the Merge extension for Finder from macOS System Settings. It is therefore necessary to use the command line as described below.

To enable the extension, open the Terminal application and run the following command:
```
pluginkit -e use -i com.araxis.merge.axfindersync
```
To disable the extension, open the Terminal application and run the following command:
```
pluginkit -e default -i com.araxis.merge.axfindersync
```

To enable or disable the Merge Finder extension on macOS 13 Ventura and macOS 14 Sonoma:

From macOS System Settings, select the Privacy & Security item.
From the Others section, select ExtensionsAdded extensions.
To enable Finder integration, locate Araxis Merge and check its Finder extensions checkbox.
To disable Finder integration, locate Araxis Merge and uncheck its Finder extensions checkbox.
Click the Done button.

To enable or disable the Merge Finder extension on macOS 12 Monterey and earlier:

Open the macOS System Preferences.
Choose the Extensions item.
Choose Finder Extensions from the list of the left.
To enable Finder integration, locate Araxis Merge and check its Finder Extensions checkbox.
To disable Finder integration, locate Araxis Merge and uncheck its Finder Extensions checkbox.