HashAgent Lite - FAQ

General Questions

What is HashAgent Lite?

HashAgent Lite is a native application for calculating and verifying cryptographic hashes of files, available for both macOS and iOS. It enables you to verify file integrity, validate backups, confirm downloads, and generate hash values for documentation purposes. Built with SwiftUI and CryptoKit, HashAgent Lite provides a professional, streamlined interface optimized for each platform.

Who should use HashAgent Lite?

HashAgent Lite is perfect for:

• Users who need to verify downloaded software hasn't been tampered with
• IT professionals validating file integrity after transfers
• Anyone who wants to confirm backup files match originals
• Developers who need to generate hashes for file distribution
• Users who want to detect file corruption or "bit rot"
• Anyone who needs a simple, reliable hash calculator on Mac or iPhone/iPad

What file types does HashAgent Lite support?

HashAgent Lite supports all file types. The application calculates hashes based on raw file bytes, so it works with any file regardless of format - documents, images, videos, archives, executables, databases, or any other file type.

What hash algorithms are supported?

HashAgent Lite supports 39 hash algorithms, including:

• MD5 - Fast, 128-bit hash (legacy, not recommended for security)
• SHA-1 - 160-bit hash (legacy, not recommended for security-critical use)
• SHA-2 family - 224/256/384/512-bit hashes (256-bit recommended for most uses)
• SHA-3 family - 224/256/384/512-bit hashes, NIST's SHA-3 standard
• Keccak - 224/256/384/512-bit, the original algorithm SHA-3 is based on
• BLAKE2b-256 - 256-bit hash (high security, extremely fast, pure Swift implementation)
• BLAKE2b-512 - 512-bit hash (maximum security, extremely fast, pure Swift implementation)
• BLAKE3 - 256-bit hash (newest generation, very fast, pure Swift implementation)
• Whirlpool - 512-bit ISO/IEC-standardized cryptographic hash
• RIPEMD-160 - 160-bit cryptographic hash
• SM3 - 256-bit cryptographic hash
• Streebog-256 / Streebog-512 - 256/512-bit cryptographic hashes
• xxHash / XXH3 - Extremely fast non-cryptographic hashes
• CRC16, CRC32, CRC32C, CRC64 - Fast checksums (for quick integrity checks)
• MurmurHash3, FNV-1, FNV-1a, SipHash, FarmHash64 - Fast non-cryptographic hashes

Features & Functionality

How do I import files on macOS?

On macOS you can import files in two ways:

• Drag & Drop - Drag files or folders from Finder directly into the app window
• Import Button - Click the Import button and select files or folders in the file picker

When you import a folder, HashAgent Lite automatically scans all subfolders and processes all files recursively.

How do I import files on iOS?

On iOS there are two ways to import files:

• Files Picker - Tap the Import button to open the system Files picker. You can select files from iCloud Drive, your local device, or any connected file provider.
• Share Extension - In any app (Files, Mail, Safari downloads, etc.), tap the Share button and choose "HashAgent Lite" to send files directly to the app.

Drag & drop from the Files app is not supported on iOS due to platform limitations.

Does hashing happen automatically?

Yes, by default. When you import files, HashAgent Lite automatically begins calculating hashes. You can disable this in Settings if you prefer to trigger hashing manually.

How do I copy a hash value?

Several ways:

• Right-click on a file and select "Copy Hash"
• Click the hash value directly to copy it
• Use "Copy Hashes" button to copy all hashes at once

Can I export hash results?

Yes! HashAgent Lite can export results in several formats:

• CSV – Plain text format, perfect for spreadsheets (Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets)
• JSON – Structured format, great for programmatic use or documentation
• XML – Structured markup format, widely used in enterprise systems and data interchange
• YAML – Human-readable structured format, popular in configuration files and modern APIs
• Parquet – Efficient columnar storage format, ideal for big data processing (Apache Arrow, Spark, Pandas, etc.)

Exported data includes: filename, file path, file size, modification date, hash value, and algorithm used. (MacOS version)

Exported data includes: filename, file size, modification date, hash value, and algorithm used. (iOS version)

Can I search and filter files?

Yes! Use the search field to filter files by name. The search is case-insensitive and updates results instantly as you type.

What happens when I change the hash algorithm?

When you switch algorithms (e.g., from SHA-256 to MD5), all files are automatically rehashed using the new algorithm. This ensures all displayed hashes use the same algorithm for consistency.

Hash Verification

How do I verify a downloaded file?

1. Find the official hash on the software vendor's website (usually labeled SHA-256 or MD5)
2. Note which algorithm was used
3. Open HashAgent Lite and select the same algorithm
4. Drag the downloaded file into the app
5. Compare the calculated hash with the official hash
6. Match = File is authentic; No match = File may be corrupted or tampered

Why should I verify file hashes?

Hash verification protects you from:

• Corrupted downloads - Network errors can corrupt files during transfer
• Tampered software - Malicious actors may distribute modified versions of legitimate software
• Man-in-the-middle attacks - Attackers may substitute malicious files during download
• Storage corruption - Hard drives and SSDs can develop errors over time

What if my hash doesn't match?

If the calculated hash doesn't match the expected hash:

• Don't use the file - Especially for software installers
• Re-download - The file may have been corrupted during transfer
• Check the source - Make sure you're comparing against the official hash
• Verify the algorithm - Ensure you're using the same algorithm (SHA-256, MD5, etc.)

Which algorithm should I use for verification?

Use the same algorithm that the file provider specifies. Most reputable software vendors provide SHA-256 hashes. If you have a choice:

• SHA-2/256 - Best for security-critical verification (recommended)
• SHA-2/512 - Maximum security
• MD5 or SHA-1 - Only if the provider offers only these (legacy)

Technical Questions

What are the system requirements?

macOS:

• macOS - Version 13.0 (Ventura) or later
• Processor - Any Intel or Apple Silicon Mac
• RAM - 4GB minimum (8GB recommended for large files)
• Storage - Minimal (the app is lightweight)

iOS:

• iOS/iPadOS - Version 16.0 or later
• Device - iPhone or iPad
• Storage - Minimal

Does HashAgent Lite work on Apple Silicon?

Yes! HashAgent Lite is fully optimized for Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4, etc.):

• Native ARM64 support
• Optimized concurrency using performance cores
• Hardware-accelerated hashing where available
• Significantly faster than running under Rosetta

How does HashAgent Lite handle large files?

HashAgent Lite uses intelligent streaming for optimal performance:

• Small files (<10MB) - Read entirely into memory for fastest processing
• Large files (≥10MB) - Streamed in 1MB chunks to prevent memory exhaustion
• Progress tracking - Real-time progress indicator for large files
• Background processing - UI remains responsive during hashing

Can HashAgent Lite process files on external drives?

Yes! HashAgent Lite can process files from any location your Mac can access:

• External SSDs and hard drives
• USB flash drives
• Network-attached storage (NAS)
• Cloud storage mounted as local drives (iCloud, Dropbox, etc.)

How long does hashing take?

Hashing speed depends on file size, storage speed, and algorithm:

• Small files (<1MB) - Nearly instant
• Medium files (10-100MB) - 1-5 seconds
• Large files (1GB+) - 10-60 seconds depending on drive and algorithm

CRC32 and MD5 are fastest; SHA-512 is slowest but most secure.

Privacy & Security

Is my data private?

Yes! HashAgent Lite operates with complete privacy:

• 100% Local Processing - All hashing happens on your Mac
• No Cloud Upload - Your files never leave your computer
• No Analytics - No usage data, telemetry, or tracking
• No Account Required - No sign-up, no login
• Offline Operation - Works completely without internet

Does HashAgent Lite require an internet connection?

No. HashAgent Lite works completely offline. Internet is only needed for:

• Initial download from the App Store
• App updates (optional)

Are the hash algorithms secure?

Security depends on the algorithm:

• SHA-2/256, SHA-2/384, SHA-2/512 - Cryptographically secure, recommended for security-critical applications
• BLAKE2b-256, BLAKE2b-512, BLAKE3 - Cryptographically secure, modern designs with excellent performance
• MD5, SHA-1 - Deprecated for security use, but still useful for non-critical integrity checks or compatibility with older systems
• CRC32, CRC64 - Not cryptographic; only for detecting accidental corruption

iOS-Specific Questions

Why don't I see the full file path on iOS?

This is an iOS system limitation, not a bug. iOS enforces a strict sandbox model — apps can only access files that the user explicitly grants access to through the system file picker. The full filesystem path is not exposed to apps for privacy and security reasons. HashAgent Lite shows you the filename and size, which is all that iOS makes available.

Can I drag files from the Files app into HashAgent Lite on iOS?

Drag & drop directly from the Files app into HashAgent Lite is not currently supported on iOS. To import files, use the Import button to open the Files picker, or use the Share Extension from within the Files app (tap Share → HashAgent Lite).

Can I scan an entire folder recursively on iOS?

No. iOS does not allow apps to recursively enumerate folder contents the same way macOS does. You can select individual files or select the contents of a folder through the Files picker (long-press a folder → Share, or select files inside a folder), but automatic deep-folder scanning is not available on iOS.

How do I export hash results on iOS?

On iOS, tap the Export button and choose your format (CSV, JSON, XML, YAML, or Parquet). The system Share Sheet will open, allowing you to save to Files (iCloud Drive or local storage), share via AirDrop, email, or any other app that accepts files. You cannot save directly to an arbitrary file path — iOS routes all exports through the Share Sheet.

Why doesn't the exported file include the file path on iOS?

Because iOS does not provide apps with full filesystem paths, the exported data from iOS includes the filename, file size, modification date, hash value, and algorithm — but not a full path. The macOS version includes the full path in its exports.

Can I use HashAgent Lite on iOS completely offline?

Yes. All hashing is done entirely on your device. No internet connection is needed for any hashing or export functionality. An internet connection is only required for the optional feedback form.

Troubleshooting

Why is hashing slow?

Common causes:

• Large files naturally take longer
• Slow storage (HDD, network drive, USB 2.0)
• Using SHA-512 (slower than SHA-256 or MD5)

Solutions:

• Use CRC32 or MD5 if cryptographic security isn't needed
• Copy files to local SSD before hashing
• Be patient with multi-gigabyte files

A file shows "Error" status - what happened?

Possible causes:

• File was moved or deleted after import
• File is locked by another application
• Insufficient permissions to read the file
• File is corrupted or unreadable

Solutions:

• Verify the file still exists at its original location
• Close other apps that might be using the file
• Check file permissions in Finder (Get Info)
• Grant HashAgent Lite file access in System Settings → Privacy & Security

I can't import files - what's wrong?

macOS solutions:

• Check that HashAgent Lite has file access permissions
• Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Files and Folders
• Ensure HashAgent Lite is allowed to access the necessary locations
• Try restarting the app after granting permissions

iOS solutions:

• Use the Import button to open the system Files picker — direct access to arbitrary paths is not available on iOS
• To import from another app, use that app's Share button → HashAgent Lite
• Make sure iCloud Drive is enabled if you want to access iCloud files

The app crashes or freezes

Try these steps:

1. Restart HashAgent Lite
2. Try with fewer files at once
3. Check for macOS updates
4. Restart your Mac

Export fails - what should I do?

Common causes and solutions:

• No write permission (macOS) - Choose a different save location (Documents folder)
• Disk full - Free up disk space
• No files to export - Import and hash files first
• iOS - Export on iOS uses the Share Sheet; choose "Save to Files" or another destination app

Settings & Customization

How do I access settings?

macOS:

• Press ⌘, (Command-Comma)
• Or click the Settings icon in the toolbar
• Or select HashAgent Lite → Settings from the menu bar

iOS:

• Tap the Settings icon in the toolbar

What settings can I customize?

• Theme - System (auto), Light, or Dark
• Languages
• Default Algorithm - Which algorithm is selected on launch
• Auto-Calculate - Whether to hash files automatically after import

How do I change the language?

1. Open Settings (⌘,)
2. Select your preferred language
3. The interface updates immediately - no restart needed

How do I change the theme?

1. Open Settings (⌘,)
2. Select theme: System (follows macOS), Light, or Dark
3. The theme changes immediately

Keyboard Shortcuts (macOS)

What keyboard shortcuts are available?

• ⌘, - Open Settings
• ⌘Q - Quit HashAgent Lite
• ⌘W - Close Settings window
• ⌘H - Hide HashAgent Lite
• ⌘M - Minimize window
• ⌘⇧0 - Bring main window to front (if closed)
• ⌘⇧1 - Compact window (960×600)
• ⌘⇧2 - Normal window (1280×800)
• ⌘⇧3 - Full width window (1600×900)

Support

Where can I get help?

• Check this FAQ for answers to common questions
• Review the Documentation for detailed instructions
• Contact support through the App Store

How do I report a bug?

Please include the following information when reporting bugs:

• macOS version
• HashAgent Lite version
• Steps to reproduce the issue
• What you expected vs. what happened
• Screenshots if applicable

Legal Disclaimers

No Warranty

HashAgent Lite is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind. The developer makes no guarantee regarding accuracy, reliability, or fitness for any particular purpose.

Use at Your Own Risk

You assume full responsibility for using HashAgent Lite. The developer is not responsible for:

• Data loss or corruption
• Incorrect hash calculations (though highly unlikely)
• Decisions made based on hash verification results
• Any damages resulting from use of this software

User Responsibility

Limitation of Liability

In no event shall the developer be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages arising from the use of this software.

Acceptance of Terms

By using HashAgent Lite, you acknowledge that you have read this FAQ, understand these disclaimers, and agree to use the software at your own risk.