Help
Help & guides
Everything you need for your first check, and what to do when something gets in the way.
Practical guides
Understand what is taking space, decide what to keep, and leave yourself a way back.
- 01
What is taking up System Data on a Mac?
Find the files behind the category before deciding what to remove.
Read guide - 02
Review developer caches without losing project files
Separate rebuildable output from source code, local data and the files needed to recreate a project.
Read guide - 03
Review duplicate files with a copy you trust
Understand exact copies, similar photos and APFS clones before removing anything.
Read guide - 04
Check an installer before opening it
Use the release details and the operating system’s publisher checks together.
Read guide
Your first cleanup
- 01
Check my Mac
One button looks at your whole computer. Checking only reads; nothing changes.
- 02
Review the findings
Each item says what it is and what happens if you remove it. Tick what you want gone.
- 03
Move to Trash
A review window lists exactly what will move. Confirm, and it goes to the Trash.
- 04
Undo if needed
Activity lists every move. Put back one item or a whole batch, to its exact place.
System requirements
- macOS
- macOS 12 Monterey or later, Apple silicon or Intel (one universal app)
- Extras
- Launch at login and Shortcuts need macOS 13, the desktop widget macOS 14; the command-line tool needs macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon or Intel
- Windows
- Windows 10 (64-bit, 1809+) or 11, x64; coming later
- Network
- Only for license activation and, when you ask, app update checks
Keyboard shortcuts
- ⌘ 1 … ⌘ 9
- Go to a page
- ⌘ R
- Check again
- ⌘ F
- Filter Storage
- Delete / ⌘ K
- Move the selection to the Trash (after the usual review)
- ⌘ Z
- Undo the last removal
- ⌘ ,
- Settings
- ⌘ /
- Show every shortcut
Common questions
An item was skipped. Why?
Right before each move, CleanPanda checks the item again. If it changed, became protected, is a link, lives only in the cloud or belongs to an open app, it is skipped and the reason is shown.
My free space did not change after a cleanup.
Items moved to the Trash still take space until the Trash is emptied. CleanPanda calls space “freed” only once it really is.
Should I give Full Disk Access?
It is optional. Without it CleanPanda works, but cannot see some caches and mail attachments in folders macOS protects. You can turn it off any time in System Settings.
I need to move my license to another computer.
On the old computer, open Settings > License and choose Remove license from this computer, then enter the key on the new one. If the old computer is gone, write to us and we free its activation.
Still stuck?
Write to us. A person answers within one business day.