Mac storage questions, answered straight.
Most of a full Mac is rebuildable: caches, logs, snapshots and developer build artifacts. Clear those first, leave snapshots to macOS, and review personal files last. MacCleaner scans read-only, marks what's safe, and never deletes anything automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How do I free up space on a Mac?
Clear rebuildable files first — app caches, logs, the Trash, and on developer Macs build artifacts like Xcode DerivedData, node_modules and Docker images. Then review large personal files and offload media to iCloud or an external SSD. Rebuildable files regenerate, so clearing them costs nothing but time.
What is System Data on a Mac?
System Data (formerly "Other") is macOS's catch-all for files it can't sort into Apps, Photos or Documents: caches, logs, APFS snapshots, disk images, fonts, plugins and developer build artifacts. The safely reclaimable parts are app caches, logs and developer artifacts.
Why is my Mac full when my files are small?
Because caches, snapshots, purgeable space and developer build artifacts don't appear in Finder. On many Macs they account for tens of gigabytes.
Does moving files to the Trash free up space?
No. Files stay on disk until you empty the Trash. Only emptying reclaims the space.
Is it safe to delete cache files on a Mac?
Yes. Files in ~/Library/Caches are temporary by design and apps rebuild them automatically. Quit the app first and delete the contents of its cache folder, not the folder itself.
Is it safe to delete Xcode DerivedData?
Yes. It's build output and indexes that Xcode regenerates. Your next build is simply slower.
Is it safe to delete node_modules?
Yes, if your lockfile is committed — npm ci or an equivalent install rebuilds it identically.
How much space does Apple Intelligence use on a Mac?
Typically around 7GB for the on-device models in 2026, more with extra languages. Turning Apple Intelligence off in System Settings removes them.
How much free space should a Mac have?
Keep at least 10–15% of the drive free so macOS has room for swap, caches and updates.
How much free space does a macOS update need?
Often 20GB or more for the download plus installation. Clearing caches, the Trash and developer artifacts usually frees enough.
What is purgeable space on a Mac?
Data — mostly APFS snapshots and caches — that macOS deletes automatically when it needs room. You generally shouldn't force it.
Can MacCleaner delete files permanently?
Yes, but only when you choose to. By default cleanups go to a recoverable holding area, and you can restore any item until you empty it.
Does MacCleaner delete anything automatically?
No. Every cleanup is scan, review, confirm. Personal files are never pre-selected.
Is MacCleaner free?
There's a free tier with unlimited read-only scans and up to 500MB of cleanup per day. Pro removes the daily cap at $4.99/month, $19.99/year or $29.99 once.
Does MacCleaner work offline?
Yes. Scanning is local-first and runs entirely on your Mac. There are no ads and no tracking.
Why does a Mac cleaner need Full Disk Access?
macOS blocks apps from reading protected locations such as ~/.Trash without it, so those areas can't be measured or emptied. A trustworthy app explains this and still works honestly if you decline.
Is MacCleaner safe?
It scans read-only, shows every file before anything is touched, classifies findings as safe-to-remove or needs-review, never pre-selects personal files, and is signed and notarized by Apple.
Does MacCleaner remove malware?
No. It's a storage tool only — it finds and cleans disk space you can safely recover.
What's the difference between MacCleaner and CleanMyMac?
CleanMyMac is an all-in-one paid maintenance suite including malware scanning and an uninstaller. MacCleaner is a focused storage cleaner with read-only scans, review-before-delete and a free tier.
How do I cancel a MacCleaner subscription?
Use the Manage subscription link in the site footer or on the post-checkout page — it opens Stripe's billing portal, where you can update your card or cancel.
How do I sign in to MacCleaner?
Enter your email in the app and it sends a 6-digit code. Enter the code to sign in — there's no password to remember or reset.
See where your space actually went
Read-only scan, every file reviewable, Trash or permanent — your choice. Free for up to 500 MB of cleanup a day.
Download for Mac