Installation and activation

Download the app from the install page (you'll need to be signed in). Requirements: an Apple Silicon Mac on macOS 13 (Ventura) or later.

Choosing a bundle

Standard includes an LGPL build of FFmpeg with open codecs (OpenH264, VP9, and the common formats). For proprietary codecs the app uses macOS VideoToolbox instead, so hardware H.264 and HEVC encoding work out of the box.

No media library is a smaller download that installs FFmpeg and mpv through Homebrew on first launch. This adds software encoders the LGPL build cannot ship, such as ProRes, x264, and x265. First launch needs an admin password, an internet connection, and about 500 MB. Pick Standard unless you specifically need those encoders.

Install steps

1. 1Open the downloaded .dmg and drag Refocused into Applications, then eject the disk image.
2. 2Launch Refocused from Applications. The app is signed and notarized by Apple, so it opens right away.
3. 3On first launch the app checks its dependencies. If anything required is missing you'll see the System Dependencies panel. Click Install Dependencies, let it finish, then Check Install Status and Continue.

A fresh install opens onto the Dashboard with a two-step setup card: 1 · Activate license and 2 · Set up models.

1. 1Click Visit Account Dashboard. It opens your API Keys & Licenses page. Sign in if you haven't. If you don't have a software key yet (it starts with rfcs_), one is created for you automatically. Copy it.
2. 2Paste the key into Enter Software Key and click Activate License. The app generates a license for this device, verifies it with the engine, and shows License activated successfully.
3. 3If you have an access code, redeem RF-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX on your account page first, or later in the app under Settings → License Management → Redeem a Code.
4. 4Installing on a machine without internet access? Switch the setup card to License File mode and load a .rflic license file generated for this device.

The installer does not include any models; you download them after activation. The setup card offers two starter presets. Quick setup installs a smaller set of models that cover the main workflows and run well on machines with less RAM. Full setup installs everything, including Regenerate-Q and larger model variants. Both download the weights and build the matching engines for your hardware in one step.

To pick individual weights and engines instead, click Open Model Library (covered on the Model Library page). On machines without internet access, Use local files points the app at a folder of models downloaded from the offline model packages page.

The pill in the top bar shows your license state. Click it for status, expiry, and days remaining. On a trial, the pill also has an Upgrade button. After you purchase, the app detects the upgrade within a few seconds; if it doesn't, click Refresh License. Your saved key, license generation, and code redemption live in Settings → License Management.