1. What are the system requirements?
App Cleaner & Uninstaller is optimized for modern Mac performance. It requires macOS 11.0 or later and a 64-bit processor (including full support for Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3 chips).
2. Why should I use App Cleaner & Uninstaller instead of just dragging apps to the Trash?
Standard “drag-to-trash” deletion only removes the core application file. Meanwhile, hidden service files, like caches, logs, and preference files, stay buried on your disk, consuming gigabytes of storage. Our tool performs a deep scan to ensure every byte of junk is removed.
3. Why does the app request access to my Home folder?
Your Home folder houses your personal library, where applications store their specific data (Preferences, Application Support, etc.). To locate and safely remove these hidden service files, the app requires your permission. This is a standard macOS security protocol that ensures you remain in full control of your data privacy.
4. Can I update my apps directly within the interface?
Yes! Keeping software updated is the best way to patch security vulnerabilities and fix bugs. In the Updates tab, the app identifies outdated software and lets you install the latest versions with a single click. It covers apps from the Mac App Store and developer sites, and also Safari extensions and Homebrew command-line tools, so you no longer have to check each one by hand.
5. What files are shown in the Remaining Files tab?
The remaining files are service files of already deleted apps. They stay on your Mac when you just drag and drop apps to the Trash. Open the Applications tab and switch the list from Apps to Remains to review and clear them.
6. Can I uninstall default Apple applications?
No, for security reasons, App Cleaner & Uninstaller does not remove core macOS applications (like Mail, Safari, or App Store). These apps are protected by Apple’s System Integrity Protection (SIP) to ensure your Mac remains stable and secure.
7. Is it safe to remove extensions?
Deleting user extensions (web plugins, screen savers, etc.) is safe. When you delete them, it just resets the app to the default state.
The opposite situation is with core extensions. We recommend caution here: only remove them if you are an advanced user, as they are often vital for specific hardware or system functions.
8. Can the app automatically clean up after I move something to the Trash?
Yes! Enable Detect apps moved to Trash and offer full removal in Settings → General. Once active, the app watches your Trash. The moment you drop an app into it, you get a notification offering to remove its service files as well.
9. Can I recover an app after it has been uninstalled?
By default, App Cleaner & Uninstaller moves apps and their service files to the Trash, so you can recover them later. Just make sure Move to Trash is the selected removal method in Settings → Remove.
10. Does it support uninstalling apps from external drives?
Currently, App Cleaner & Uninstaller is designed to manage and optimize the active macOS boot drive only. It does not support scanning or removing apps located on external hard drives or secondary partitions.
11. Can I uninstall apps located outside the Applications folder?
Yes. Simply find the application file anywhere on your Mac and drag and drop it directly into the App Cleaner & Uninstaller window. The app will immediately scan for all related service files. Then just click the Remove button.
12. How can I check my apps for security risks?
You can use the Permissions and Notarization features in App Cleaner & Uninstaller to perform a quick security audit of your Mac:
- Look for the “Apple Notarized” badge next to your apps. If If you see a warning icon (!), it means the app has not been notarized by Apple. While this doesn’t automatically mean the app is dangerous, it serves as a prompt for you to double-check that the software comes from a developer you recognize and trust before keeping it on your system.
- Audit app access. You can see exactly which apps have access to your private data, such as your Camera, Microphone, or Location. If you see an app with access it doesn’t need, you can revoke those rights to protect your privacy.
13. Can I see and control which apps use the internet?
Yes. The Network Access tab shows how much internet traffic every app on your Mac moves, in real time or over a chosen period, and lets you block any app from going online with a single switch. Blocking does not uninstall or break the app – it just stops it from reaching the network, and you can switch it back on at any time. Traffic analysis happens on your Mac.
14. Why does macOS ask me to allow a network extension?
Per-app traffic counting requires a macOS network extension, and macOS always asks before enabling one. Go to System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions, scroll to Extensions, switch to By Category, click ⓘ next to Network Extensions and turn on App Cleaner & Uninstaller. Then confirm the “Would Like to Filter Network Content” prompt with Allow.
15. How do I find apps that will not run on my version of macOS?
Use the Incompatible Applications filter in the Applications tab. It collects the apps your macOS version can no longer launch, so you can update or uninstall them.
16. How do I undo the internet blocks I have set?
Switch the toggle back on for an individual app, or open Settings → Advanced and click Reset Internet Blocks for Apps to lift every block at once.