If your MacBook is running slower than usual or low on space, it may be time to clear the hard drive. Unfortunately, it is not always that easy. Files hide in all kinds of places, and knowing where to find them can prove a challenge. And even if you do find where the files are located, deleting them manually would take hours. This is where cleanup software comes in. It allows you to delete files and clear gigabytes of space, leaving your computer running efficiently. One such software for Mac computers is CleanMyMac X. This post explores the features of CleanMyMac X to determine if it’s worth the hype. Keep reading to learn more.
CleanMyMac X Overview:
Designed by MacPaw, CleanMyMac X is an application that monitors computers and provides recommendations on what data to get rid of. It is a catch-all software that removes trash for Mac computers.
MacPaw makes an effort to update it every 3-4 years, ensuring optimal performance. Each update brings new features like an extensions manager, universal updater and malware scanner. It also offers a slew of basic functions such as system junk, iTune junk, privacy scanner, smart cleaner, large & old files scanner, mail attachments and more.
The software also boasts an improved menu that offers access to handy information. You can view information on CPU usage, connectivity speed, available RAM and available HDD space. In addition to generalized scans, users can perform fairly customized scans.
Key Features:
Smart Scanner –
The first window you see after installing CleanMyMac is the smart scanner. It offers quick access stats like speed, protection and cleanup. There is also a scan button at the top. The smart scanner goes through the computer and cleans it up, thus clearing the HDD space in a short time. It gives you feedback on unnecessary applications that take up a lot of space, junk files and more.
The Smart Scanner works in three steps i.e. file cleanup, protection and speed optimization. Results can be reviewed after each of the steps is complete. Once all three steps are done, you can click on the Run button to fix issues identified by Smart Scan.
Junk file cleanup –
CleanMyMac X offers a junk file management feature that can be accessed under the Smart Scan tab. Cleanup tasks handled by this feature include photo junks, iTunes junk, system junk, mail attachments and trash files.
The system junk option scans the entire computer system, identifying operating system and application based junk files. Photo junks option identifies unwanted image files including thumbnails, large images, uncompressed images and duplicate pictures. This section also handles the iCloud Cache.
Local and offline copies of mail attachments are easily cleared using CleanMyMac X. This doesn’t erase your files from the official mailbox online. The application also synchronizes with other devices, hence capable of cleaning junk files generated by iTunes.
Malware Protection & Security –
Cleaning out junk files may not be enough to get your computer running smoothly. CleanMyMac X offers a malware protection and security option that deals with malicious threats. It helps fix inbuilt vulnerabilities and malicious files. With a single click, you can clear chat data and browser history. You can click on the Privacy Cleanup option to handle the browsers, Skype, Facetime and similar chatting applications.
Speed Optimization & Maintenance –
This is particularly helpful to low capacity Mac computers that don’t have a high memory capacity or top-tier processor. The Optimization feature allows you to handle the running applications and terminate frozen apps.
There is a Launch Agent section that offers a list of apps running in the background. It allows you to disable the unnecessary applications, thus freeing up memory. The Maintenance division cleans up memory space, runs maintenance scripts, removes web caches, repairs disk permissions and more. You can also run maintenance scripts on a regular basis to free up the RAM.
If you are having trouble with applications not opening, CleanMyMac X can help with that. Navigate to Rebuild Launch Services under the Maintenance tab and click Run. This resets the default launch apps for certain files. The software also cleans the DNS cache and re-indexes disk permission repair to ensure speed optimization.
File Handling –
If you have large and old files on your Mac computer, CleanMyMac X will find them easily and in a short span of time. The app has a large file management feature that digs out hidden files in different folders and quarantines them permanently. This section has a File Shredder, which offers one of the quickest ways to delete files forever. It works by cracking files into smaller pieces, ensuring that they can never be recovered.
Applications Manager –
CleanMyMac X comes with an applications uninstaller that offers a looking app drawer window. You can check a group of apps to apply a common action. The applications manager also has an unused section with a list of locations you hardly use. You get to decide which ones stay and which ones don’t. The uninstaller is incredibly fast and doesn’t leave any traces of an application.
Scan Report –
After CleanMyMac X performs a scan, it provides a report outlining its findings. It gives you information on unnecessary junk, files and folders that need to go. It also tells you how well the system is performing and gives you recommendations on what to delete to optimize speed.
Updater –
This is a great feature that shows available updates when launching CleanMyMac X. Depending on the settings, it also performs the updates. A What’s New description for each update is also offered.
Other features offered by CleanMyMac X include;
- Handy extensions module
- Personal assistant
- Malware removal
- Lightning speed
- Time machine snapshot thinning
- Menu bar item for displaying critical information like battery status, current CPU load, available disk space etc.
- Alerts when trash exceeds a certain size, application freezes, RAM is low and free disk memory falls below a specified size
Pros:
- Cleans out more than 50GB in a short period of time.
- Used by more than 5 million people across the globe.
- Compatible with 12 languages.
- Video tutorials offer added guidance.
- Free refund and trial offered.
- PC version available.
- Fast, easy to use and intuitive user interface.
- Great modules for system level customization and faster updates.
- Smart assistant guides you through the cleanup and recommends what to get rid of.
- Fixes issues on your computer with a single click.
- Keeps the malware database updated.
- Recommended by experts around the world.
- Reasonably priced packages.
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer phone or chat support.
- Cross promotes third-party products.
- Single license is a little expensive.
Pricing:
MacPaw offers CleanMyMac X at decent prices starting at $39.5 per year. If you want to purchase a single license for the lifetime, it will cost you $89.95. Licenses for two Mac computers will set you back $134.95 for lifetime and $89.95 for an annual subscription plan. If you have five Mac computers, a yearly subscription will cost $89.95 while a lifetime license costs $199.95.
The set of tools offered with each of the above packages is quite decent, and worth every penny. Each package is backed by a 30-day money back guarantee and 24/7 technical and sales support. You also get secure payment encryption and instant activation. Special offers are available for customers with more than 10 Macs.
Customer Support:
MacPaw offers an extensive knowledge base that offers critical information about CleanMyMac X. It offers access to everything you need to know about the application including updates, un-installation, free trial, menu, assistant, performing scans, activating subscriptions, resetting licenses, handling errors, upgrades and discounts. Also included is comprehensive information on how to cleanup and optimize your computer using CleanMyMac X.
There is a section Frequently Asked Questions that seeks to answer all your questions on this software and other products offered by MacPaw.
Chat support is offered but some customers cited unreliability, noting that responses took too long. You can also contact customer support via the contact form on the official MacPaw website.
Final Verdict:
The question that comes to mind at this point is does the CleanMyMac X deliver on its romize? I’d certainly say yes, but you need to consider what you’d be getting before making a purchase. Not all of the features will serve your needs and as such, you may end up paying for something you don’t need.
However, all features offered by CleanMyMac X certainly serve a crucial purpose in the ecosystem. It is a great application for uninstalling unnecessary applications, getting rid of junk files permanently and generally optimizing your computer system. When it comes to pricing MacPaw offers reasonably priced packages. You can opt for a yearly or lifetime license. The cost is also affected by the number of Macs you.
All things considered, CleanMyMac X ticks all appropriate boxes. It is a great cleaning application for someone whose Mac has speed issues. What’s more is that it is backed by a 30-day money back guarantee. You also get 24/7 premium support.