Review before clearing
Scan app caches and build output. Each finding explains what it is and what removing it changes.
Help & support
A little clarity for your Mac.
Understand what takes up space, review what can go, and keep the decision in your hands.
Find the larger picture
Explore the storage map by category, then follow folders to find what takes up the most space.
Choose what goes
Review apps and their related files. Shared data stays protected. Items removed in SweepZen go to Trash.
Getting started
- Open SweepZen on a Mac running macOS 14 or later.
- Choose Scan and clear, Storage map, or Uninstall. Background & Extensions and the toolbox provide separate review and troubleshooting tools.
- When macOS asks, grant access to your home folder. Uninstalling apps or reviewing temporary files may require separate folder access. Grants are remembered locally.
- Review each finding and its details. Select what to remove; shared data and items whose ownership cannot be confirmed stay protected.
- Check the confirmation list before moving selected items to Trash.
Common questions
Why hasn’t free space increased?
Moving files to Trash usually does not free their disk space. Check the files in Finder and empty Trash yourself when you are sure. APFS shared storage and local snapshots can affect the space returned. SweepZen never empties Trash or deletes Time Machine snapshots.
How do I recover a file?
Open Trash in Finder. Use Put Back if available, or move the file to its original location. Recovery through Trash is available only until you empty it.
Why was an item skipped or kept?
Protected files, shared data, and data that another app copy may still use are kept. Copies outside Applications also count. Leftovers held by another copy are shown with a location and reason, and cannot be selected for removal. If the app cannot confirm ownership or access, it keeps the item.
How do I renew folder access?
Open SweepZen’s Settings and grant access to the relevant folder again. Use your home folder for scanning. macOS may still restrict some locations; SweepZen cannot bypass those restrictions.
Why does uninstalling ask for access to Applications?
The /Applications folder is outside your home folder and needs a separate macOS grant before SweepZen can move apps to Trash. You can cancel the request.
Can SweepZen remove system-level items?
Items requiring administrator authorization can be revealed in Finder, but SweepZen cannot remove them. Toolbox commands explain their effect and cost. You copy and run them yourself; SweepZen never runs administrator commands.
How do background items and Finder menus work?
SweepZen shows background apps, extensions, and the origins of Finder menu entries. Follow the supplied macOS settings or service-stop instructions when needed. You can choose the default app for common file types directly in SweepZen. These tools do not automatically delete system menu entries.
Does SweepZen upload my files?
No. The app processes file information locally, makes no network requests, and has no accounts, ads, analytics, or upload service. The privacy policy separately explains website hosting and support messages.
Get help
Tell us what happened.
Include your macOS version, SweepZen version, and the steps that led to the issue. Screenshots are optional; hide personal file names and sensitive information first.
GitHub issues are public. Do not include private files or personal information.