AppCleaner
AppCleaner is a free macOS application for uninstalling unwanted apps and locating files associated with them.
What AppCleaner is
AppCleaner is a free macOS application for uninstalling unwanted apps and locating files associated with them. Drop an application onto the AppCleaner window, review the related files it finds across the system, and use the delete button to remove them. Version 3.7 improves searches for related files in Application Scripts and prompts for Full Disk Access; without that access, some files may not be removed. AppCleaner can search for files belonging to system apps, but it cannot remove those apps. Downloads are listed for several macOS versions: 3.7 for macOS 15 and later, 3.6.8 for macOS 10.14 up to 15.6, 3.6 for macOS 10.13, and 3.4 for macOS 10.10 up to 10.12. Version 3.6 added native Apple M1 support. The app can detect apps in disk images and offer to remove the disk image file instead. AppCleaner is listed as free, with supported macOS versions varying by download.
Good
- Finds files associated with an app across the system
- Offers downloads for several macOS versions
- Version 3.6 added native Apple M1 support
- Can detect apps in disk images
Watch out
- Some files may remain without Full Disk Access
- System apps cannot be removed
- Supported macOS versions vary by download
Who it suits
AppCleaner suits Mac users who want to remove unwanted apps and review their associated files. It can also search for files related to system apps, though those apps cannot be uninstalled with it.
Verdict
AppCleaner provides a direct way to review and delete files associated with an app. Check the download version for your macOS release and grant Full Disk Access if you want its broader file-removal capability.
Plans and prices
From AppCleaner's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| AppCleaner | Free | macOS app uninstaller · supported macOS versions vary by download |
The facts
Each one read from AppCleaner's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Apple silicon
- Version 3.6 added native Apple M1 support.checked 5 Oct 2026
- macOS 27 support
- Version 3.7 added support for macOS 27 (Golden Gate).checked 5 Oct 2026
- Older macOS versions
- The download page also lists version 3.6.8 for macOS 10.14 up to 15.6, version 3.6 for macOS 10.13, and version 3.4 for macOS 10.10 up to 10.12.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Protected apps
- A preference can hide protected apps, and Apple apps were protected on El Capitan due to System Integrity Protection.checked 5 Oct 2026
- System apps
- AppCleaner can search for related files of system apps, but system apps cannot be removed.checked 5 Oct 2026
What it does
- Contact
- The maker's site lists [email protected].checked 5 Oct 2026
- Current version
- The download page lists version 3.7 for macOS 15 and later.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Disk images
- Version 3.6.4 added detection of apps in disk images and offers to remove the disk image file instead.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page lists versions for macOS 15 and later, macOS 10.14 up to 15.6, macOS 10.13, and macOS 10.10 up to 10.12.checked 5 Oct 2026
- File search
- The 3.7 release improved the search for related files in Application Scripts.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Full Disk Access
- Version 3.7 prompts for Full Disk Access and warns that some files may fail to be removed without it.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Launch setting
- Version 3.7 added a setting to choose the default view at launch.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Leftover scan
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Login item
- The login item uses the modern API and appears in System Settings.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- AppCleaner is a small application for thoroughly uninstalling unwanted apps.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Related files
- It finds files distributed throughout the system by an app and lets users delete them.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Removal workflow
- Users can drop an application onto the AppCleaner window, review related files, and click the delete button.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Search
- Version 3.7 improves the search for related files in Application Scripts.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- Version 3.7 updated Sparkle, the in-app updater, to fix a security issue.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Updates
- The release notes say updates were served over HTTPS starting with version 3.2.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Update security
- Version 3.2 notes say updates are served over HTTPS for extra security.checked 5 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
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