New to macOS - asking for suggestion for deletion app...

[Skwoodge]

Why would anyone pay $8 for Find Any File when all these are free?
Cling https://github.com/FuzzyIdeas/Cling
EasyFind https://www.devontechnologies.com/apps/freeware
find https://ss64.com/mac/find.html
AppCleaner https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/
Pearcleaner https://github.com/alienator88/Pearcleaner
MacOptimizers https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ptimization-cleanup-feedback-welcome.2480305/

6 dollars ... and because I support the developer. AppCleaner and Pearcleaner aren't even comparable. Cling is free but with limited features that are unlocked with the pro version. No normal human user is going to use the find methods. That leaves EasyFind and MacOptimizers (which is neat that a MacRumors member is making it).

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I started with AppZapper and am currently using AppCleaner.

Both are great looking for file remnants and I honestly cannot remember why I changed, but it was quite likely the single license cost off the former.

 

[svenmany]

I had an unexpected experience two days ago when I deleted an application by dragging it to the trash. It's worth noting that using AppCleaner or another tool would not have helped since that app also leaves the app bundle in the trash (along with related files).

These days, it's common practice to have launch agents or daemons within the application bundle itself (the file with the ".app" extension) rather than placed in the shared ~/Library and /Library locations. Dragging such an application to the trash updated the background task management database to reference the location in the trash. I rebooted after such a deletion and the startup functionality executed from within the trash.

I've not seen this in the past, though it might have happened without any visible indication. The particular startup functionality in this case involved the display of a menu item.

I'm still researching this issue and don't know if it's a bug that the launch agent was run from within the trash.

If you really want to ensure that an application is deleted, it's best to not leave it in the trash. Finder can bypass the trash if you hold the option key down when you delete the file (i.e. cmd-option-delete).

 

[MacMorrison]

Another vote for AppCleaner. I've used it for years and it's solid.

 

[p33t3r]

I had an unexpected experience two days ago when I deleted an application by dragging it to the trash. It's worth noting that using AppCleaner or another tool would not have helped since that app also leaves the app bundle in the trash (along with related files).

These days, it's common practice to have launch agents or daemons within the application bundle itself (the file with the ".app" extension) rather than placed in the shared ~/Library and /Library locations. Dragging such an application to the trash updated the background task management database to reference the location in the trash. I rebooted after such a deletion and the startup functionality executed from within the trash.

I've not seen this in the past, though it might have happened without any visible indication. The particular startup functionality in this case involved the display of a menu item.

I'm still researching this issue and don't know if it's a bug that the launch agent was run from within the trash.

If you really want to ensure that an application is deleted, it's best to not leave it in the trash. Finder can bypass the trash if you hold the option key down when you delete the file (i.e. cmd-option-delete).

Why would you leave it in the trash? Why not just empty the trash? Problem solved.

 

[bogdanw]

Why would you leave it in the trash? Why not just empty the trash? Problem solved.

You are completely missing the point, macOS should not allow apps to run from trash. The user should see a message "You can’t open the application ... because it’s in the Trash." / “The application ... cannot be opened because it is in the Trash.”
Apps running from Trash is a security issue.

 

[svenmany]

You are completely mission the point, macOS should not allow apps to run from trash. The user should see a message "You can’t open the application ... because it’s in the Trash." / “The application ... cannot be opened because it is in the Trash.”
Apps running from Trash is a security issue.

Yeah. I consider this a significant Tahoe bug. I'm still digging into it.

I've often read comments like "Delete such and such, empty trash, and then reboot" for certain things. But Apple's official support page on app deletion says just to drag it to trash. They only suggest emptying the trash to make the delete permanent and save space.

Delete or uninstall apps on Mac - Apple Support

When you delete or uninstall an app, the storage space it was using becomes available for other items.

support.apple.com

It's bewildering that the application launched from the trash after a reboot. If anyone cares, the application is Ollama and the embedded launch agent was the Squirrel updater. And here's what sfltool dumpbtm said about things before the reboot:

UUID: 4D57F032-B76A-4588-AD9D-7A377C72231B
Name: Ollama
Developer Name: Infra Technologies, Inc
Team Identifier: 3MU9H2V9Y9
Type: app (0x2)
Flags: [ ] (0)
Disposition: [disabled, allowed, not notified] (0x2)
Identifier: 2.com.electron.ollama
URL: file:///Users/xxx/.Trash/Ollama.app/
Generation: 1
Bundle Identifier: com.electron.ollama

#102:
UUID: FB7AD17A-CEFB-4202-BA62-C54D8196EC60
Name: Squirrel
Developer Name: (null)
Team Identifier: 3MU9H2V9Y9
Type: agent (0x8)
Flags: [ ] (0)
Disposition: [enabled, allowed, notified] (0xb)
Identifier: 8.com.ollama.ollama
URL: Contents/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ollama.ollama.plist
Executable Path: Contents/Frameworks/Squirrel.framework/Versions/A/Squirrel
Generation: 1
Parent Identifier: 2.com.electron.ollama

I'm not sure why the Squirrel updater would need to launch the application it's embedded in. More to learn.

The workaround suggested (which I've heard many suggest), to empty the trash after every app deletion, seriously reduces the usefulness of the trash. I use the trash to recover things regularly.

The problem is that you will almost never know if something in the trash is running unless it has some UI component that makes it obvious. This is the first time I noticed this situation, but I have no idea if other background items were still running from the trash.

If one follows the pattern of just dragging apps to the trash, there is no vulnerability due to external launch agents or daemons (e.g. ~/Library/LaunchAgents/*) which weren't cleaned up. They would not reference the location in the trash, so would have no practical consequence.

 

[Skwoodge]

I started with AppZapper and am currently using AppCleaner.

Both are great looking for file remnants and I honestly cannot remember why I changed, but it was quite likely the single license cost off the former.

Oh my gosh ... AppZapper. You just unlocked a core memory, lol. I used that back in the day as well.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Oh my gosh ... AppZapper. You just unlocked a core memory, lol. I used that back in the day as well.

I've looked and AppZapper is actually still around. Reminded me that "back in the day" was actually quite a long time ago..gulp. And how could one not like an alien zap gun, let alone that their copyright now spans 20 yrs.

 

[Skwoodge]

I've looked and AppZapper is actually still around. Reminded me that "back in the day" was actually quite a long time ago..gulp. And how could one not like an alien zap gun, let alone that their copyright now spans 20 yrs.

You're not helping!

 

[Quotenfrau]

Another vote for AppCleaner. PearCleaner is pretty good too, I just prefer the simplicity of AppCleaner.

Sadly PearCleaner at the moment not maintaned:

Pearcleaner​

Project Status: On Hold​

As you may have noticed, development on the app has basically stopped since end of 2025, so I wanted to provide some context.

Between a new job, joining a friend who is building a SaaS company, and other life priorities, I no longer have the time needed to actively maintain or continue development on the project.

Another major reason is that I previously relied on my work MacBook for development. After changing jobs, I no longer have access to a Mac device that I can use for personal development work, which means I’m currently unable to build, test, or release updates for the app.

Because of that, issue responses, feature work, PR reviews, and new releases are effectively on hold indefinitely for now.

The project is not abandoned entirely, and I’d still like to return to it someday if circumstances change. For now though, I want to be transparent that active development is no longer possible on my end.

Thank you to everyone who has used the app, reported issues, submitted ideas, or contributed. I genuinely appreciate all of the support the project has received.

 

[bogdanw]

Sadly PearCleaner at the moment not maintaned:

New projects:
PureMac - "Free, open-source macOS cleaner. CleanMyMac alternative with zero telemetry. Native SwiftUI, scheduled auto-cleaning, Xcode/Homebrew/system cache cleanup. MIT licensed."
https://github.com/momenbasel/PureMac
Mole "Clean, uninstall, analyze, optimize, and monitor your Mac from the terminal."
https://github.com/tw93/Mole
"The CLI is free and open source. Prefer a native Mac app? Mole for Mac adds visual cleanup review, app updates, uninstall, maintenance, disk maps, live status, and a menu bar HUD. One license covers 2 Macs, with lifetime updates and a 14-day refund."

 

[BrianBaughn]

New projects:
PureMac - "Free, open-source macOS cleaner. CleanMyMac alternative with zero telemetry. Native SwiftUI, scheduled auto-cleaning, Xcode/Homebrew/system cache cleanup. MIT licensed."
https://github.com/momenbasel/PureMac
Mole "Clean, uninstall, analyze, optimize, and monitor your Mac from the terminal."
https://github.com/tw93/Mole
"The CLI is free and open source. Prefer a native Mac app? Mole for Mac adds visual cleanup review, app updates, uninstall, maintenance, disk maps, live status, and a menu bar HUD. One license covers 2 Macs, with lifetime updates and a 14-day refund."

I installed PureMac yesterday and tested the app removal as compared to AppCleaner. PureMac found more of the app-related files in my test. I'll probably start using it instead.

 

[Quotenfrau]

PureMac - "Free, open-source macOS cleaner. CleanMyMac alternative with zero telemetry. Native SwiftUI, scheduled auto-cleaning, Xcode/Homebrew/system cache cleanup. MIT licensed."

Do you recommend this software? Sure, it's open source, which is a huge plus. But CleanMyMac is a very controversial topic. That's why I don't use it.

 

[throAU]

Hi all,

New to macOS, and want to ask if there are any single purchase apps that will completely remove an app and all associated data from macOS 26?

In general: just drag the app icon to the bin. Unlike on windows, most apps are entirely self contained within the app icon (which is just basically a folder with a fancy icon on it).

There may be some small configuration files left over but they're not generally anything to worry about and will mean if you reinstall it your settings come back.

 

[Quotenfrau]

New projects:

is this stuff vibe-coded?
Very new projects...

 

[ChrisA]

I just use Finder to go to ~/Library and clean any left over cruft there.

Most users need an app to do anything. In fact, I'd guess that 80% of Macroumers reads would not know that "~" is a shortcut for "/Users/<username>"

 

[bogdanw]

In general: just drag the app icon to the bin. Unlike on windows, most apps are entirely self contained within the app icon (which is just basically a folder with a fancy icon on it).

There may be some small configuration files left over but they're not generally anything to worry about and will mean if you reinstall it your settings come back.

That has never been true and it's now more false then ever. See the images https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...estion-for-deletion-app.2481200/post-34557184

Do you recommend this software? Sure, it's open source, which is a huge plus. But CleanMyMac is a very controversial topic. That's why I don't use it.

I'm still using AppDelete https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...leanup-feedback-welcome.2480305/post-34523050
You don't have to use all of PureMac's features. I never used CleanMyMac, but I regularly delete unnecessary ~/Caches.

is this stuff vibe-coded?
Very new projects...

I don't know, you could ask the developers. Both have discussions sections on GitHub.

 

[throAU]

That has never been true and it's now more false then ever. See the images https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...estion-for-deletion-app.2481200/post-34557184


I'm still using AppDelete https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...leanup-feedback-welcome.2480305/post-34523050
You don't have to use all of PureMac's features. I never used CleanMyMac, but I regularly delete unnecessary ~/Caches.

I don't know, you could ask the developers. Both have discussions sections on GitHub.

Data != app

as per @maflynn if the stuff in ~/Library bothers you go in there and look for stuff related to the app and remove it, but there's generally no need.

yes there are exceptions.

But the notion you NEED an app cleaner on macOS is crap.

 

[bogdanw]

Data != app

as per @maflynn if the stuff in ~/Library bothers you go in there and look for stuff related to the app and remove it, but there's generally no need.

yes there are exceptions.

But the notion you NEED an app cleaner on macOS is crap.

Sort by size and show as a picture of your ~/Library. Here is mine

Crap is what is left behind by the apps you don't use anymore, and can amount to many GB.

 

[gregmac19]

...if the stuff in ~/Library bothers you go in there and look for stuff related to the app and remove it, but there's generally no need.

yes there are exceptions.

But the notion you NEED an app cleaner on macOS is crap.

Unwittingly, you did a good job of destroying your argument against app cleaners. How is the average user supposed to know, when there is a need to remove the files that are left behind when apps are deleted? And if going into ~/Library and deleting files you think can be removed is sufficient, why do different app cleaners remove differing sets of files? Is it at least partly because not all the orphan files are in ~/Library?

 

[svenmany]

Apple seems to not care about the build-up of cruft in various system locations. They typically just recommend deleting an application by dragging it to the trash.

I did a test, picking an app I use a lot - OmniOutliner. I did a test run of deleting it with AppCleaner, taking a screenshot of what it would delete, were I to follow through. Then I aborted and didn't delete anything with it. I then did a simple drag of the app to the trash and went looking for what was left behind. Basically, I wanted to verify that no macOS machinery would be triggered when removing the application from the Application folder that would clean up related files.

~/Library/Containers/com.omnigroup.OmniOutliner6.Thumbnails/Data/tmp was left with 496 MB of data. I believe that this content represents a bug since it looks like QuickLook images - all named "OmnitOutliner-QL-<generated UUID>.jpeg".

Bug or not, even one example is enough to make sure I use some cleaning program to find things.

 

[throAU]

Unwittingly, you did a good job of destroying your argument against app cleaners. How is the average user supposed to know, when there is a need to remove the files that are left behind when apps are deleted? And if going into ~/Library and deleting files you think can be removed is sufficient, why do different app cleaners remove differing sets of files? Is it at least partly because not all the orphan files are in ~/Library?

You don't NEED to do that.

 

[svenmany]

You don't NEED to do that.

"NEED" can only evaluated with respect to a goal. If the goal is not to consume a large amount of disk storage unnecessarily, then you need to clean up stuff that would be left behind with a simple drag of the application to trash. Maybe a couple apps would be OK, but if you make a habit of it, over the years you will accumulate a ton of cruft.

I ran another test of just dragging Firefox to the trash. There is a bug being tracked on Github about a large accumulation of data in the ~/Library/Caches/Firefox folder. Currently mine is sitting at over 3GB. If I blindly just ignore this and drag Firefox to the trash, I'll leave behind 3.1 GB in the cache and another 259.3 MB in application support.

Let's forget about bugs. I just tested MoneyDance. I keeps its backups in ~/Library. I would leave behind 1.7 GB of data if I just trashed the app.

I suppose everyone has tons of disk space to waste. But tons of files also get in the way if you're poking around in different places trying to solve some problem. All of that obsolete stuff just obstructs an investigation.

Finally, it's not clear to me that all that stuff is actually harmless. Sometimes small helper apps could be left over and launch agents left in place that execute them. I've had examples of this. In the end they were harmless, but a waste of time spent after every login.

I kind of blame Apple for this mess. Apple paints a picture that suggests their negligence is OK.

 

[blufrog]

It's unforgivable for apps to litter the system with files that it forgets about when you delete it. The OS needs some way to track every file ever created by an app in system folders so it can clean up every last file/folder when the app is deleted. It could be a very neat way to automate uninstall when the app is dragged to the trash and deleted.