CleanMyMac: Boost Performance and Extend Your Mac’s Life

It’s a popular myth that Macs don’t slow down. However, most people realize this idea is wrong after using a Mac for more than a year. Like other devices, macOS devices also slow down, and part of it is software. It’s really a let-down that you cannot easily upgrade your RAM or storage as this happens.

So, what do you do when you have an old, slowed-down Mac? CleanMyMac claims to deal with this issue.

About CleanMyMac

CleanMyMac from MacPaw is a fully-fledged Mac cleaning and optimization suite. It lets you get rid of junk and problematic elements from your Mac and speed up real-world performance. You get multiple modules to manage different aspects of your Mac, such as app management, malware protection, and privacy. This way, CleanMyMac aims to get your Mac working at full speed so that you can avoid a pricey upgrade.

Features Highlight:

• Detect and remove junk, temporary files, universal binaries, and other unnecessary elements from your Mac.
• Use the Moonlock engine to detect and remove malware from your Mac.
• It also lets you schedule and customize anti-malware scans.
• Speed up your Mac, including the startup time and multitasking experience.
• Monitor, remove, and update the apps you installed on your Mac. You get to save time and effort.
• Get rid of large, duplicate, and unnecessary files from your SSD, thus saving precious storage space.
• Keep track of your Mac and its health, thanks to on-time notifications and quick overviews.

The Latest Version: CleanMyMac 5

Released in October 2024, this latest version drops the “X” from the name, moving beyond CleanMyMac X, which was introduced in version 4.

The most noticeable change is the redesigned interface, which organizes the app’s tools into more simplified and streamlined sections.

Additionally, CleanMyMac 5 introduces several new features not found in the previous version, such as the Duplicate Finder and Mac Health Score. However, it unfortunately omits the File Shredder tool that was included in CleanMyMac X.

If you’re using CleanMyMac X, upgrading to version 5 is highly recommended. The newer version requires macOS 11 Big Sur or later and offers a more intuitive interface, improved performance, and enhanced security features.

From the Founder

“Having developed macOS software for over 16 years, we’ve learned that every Mac holds a unique universe within. To help our users to gain more control over their digital world, we’ve transformed CleanMyMac into a comprehensive Mac care solution.

The new CleanMyMac introduces the most significant change we’ve made in the last six years, offering a fresh, modern design more attuned to users’needs. This is more than just a visual refresh, though, it’s the foundation for the product’s future.”

– Oleksandr Kosovan, Founder & CEO of MacPaw

TheSweetBits Review (personal experience)

MacPaw projects CleanMyMac as one of the must-have macOS apps for everyone. It is indeed so if you use your Mac for more than browsing the web and Word/PowerPoint.

As a technology writer/journalist specializing in the Apple ecosystem, I take full advantage of my MacBook Air for testing and multitasking. At any given time, I am testing a number of apps that I have to write about. Among other things, this situation results in a lot of temporary files and junk. I often have to install apps that are not available on the App Store as well.

By these standards alone, my situation allows me to check whether all the modules on CleanMyMac work as they claim to. I can also help you understand the real-world impact of the tool by comparing how snappy my Mac is after using CleanMyMac 5 for weeks.

I’ll also tell you whether CleanMyMac can replace the many utilities you may need to speed up your Mac.

Installation and Setup

Installing and setting up CleanMyMac is a simple process for the most part. The installation is effortless, and the app does not ask for unnecessary permissions. Instead, individual modules will ask for respective system permissions when you open them. It’s a nice touch to see from a privacy standpoint. You also get to choose whether CleanMyMac runs in the background. You can also launch the app whenever necessary.

User Interface

CleanMyMac has had a great UI design from the beginning. However, the latest update has brought a sense of simplicity to the game. The entire app is easy to navigate, and the user does not have to choose between too many options. Instead, I felt the UI improved the overall workflow.

When you get started, you can either go for Smart Scan or choose a specific module. Either way, you would need to wait for a few seconds as CleanMyMac scans your Mac. After these scans, you get a bunch of steps that you can review and execute. As I said, you may need to provide the permissions or quit some apps.

Smart Scan is a great option when you want to do everything to speed up your Mac. You get an overview of actionable data through a single click. CleanMyMac lets you review every step, and this feature makes a lot of sense when you want to remove apps/files or control what changes are made. After the review, you can sit back and relax while CleanMyMac does its job.

In a few seconds, you will have a faster, cleaner Mac. I feel the UX design is as straightforward as it gets.

Core Features Evaluation

Here’s what I thought about the core features of CleanMyMac.

• Cleanup

The Cleanup module of CleanMyMac searches your entire Mac to find potential elements that slow down performance and take up storage space. It does not address user files. Instead, you get an idea about things like system junk, caches, trash bins, additional binaries, document versions, etc. CleanMyMac also gives you an estimate of how much space you can save with each element.

This module does a great job of shrinking the System Data folder you may have seen. On a daily basis, it can free up more space on your Mac.

• Protection

The Protection module on CleanMyMac can protect your Mac from malware consistently. You get to choose between three scanning modes: Quick, Balanced, and Deep. Your option depends on how effective you need the scan to be and the time you want to spend. But the Protection module does more than detect malware.

It conveniently provides data such as the number of apps with mic and camera access, temporary files, and recent items. You can easily revoke these permissions and restore your peace of mind.

• Performance

The Performance module essentially recommends maintenance tasks that can speed up your Mac and boost its multitasking performance. Sure, you can do all these tasks manually, but that process would take more than a few minutes. Instead, you can use the module to run maintenance tasks, select login items, and get rid of background items.

I’ve found the interface better than the macOS Preferences page. This module perhaps has the most significant role in speeding up your Mac.

• Applications

The Applications module of CleanMyMac will scan your Applications folder and suggest options for removal and updates. It can also help you remove unused applications and application leftovers. I use this feature the most because I end up installing too many apps but forget to remove them. This module offers a quick overview of what needs to be done.

It’s further impressive that you can update apps that you installed from non-App Store sources. This feature is a real time-saver for many.

• My Clutter

My Clutter is another super-useful module of CleanMyMac. This single module can help you get rid of large, duplicate, and similar files from your Mac. I recommend using this module more frequently if you deal with photos or other media formats. This core feature is quite effective in finding duplicates even if you have used different names and file sizes.

Overall, this module can clean up a lot of storage space and organize your files better.

A Word on CleanMyMac Menu

If you don’t want to shift back and forth between an app and CleanMyMac, you can have CleanMyMac run a menu bar widget. It’s called CleanMyMac Menu and offers quick access to common tasks, such as freeing up RAM and clearing up storage. It also provides some quick info, such as network speed, battery life, and a list of connected devices.

I recommend checking out this feature if you like a quick-and-easy way to keep track of your Mac’s specs as well as performance.

Performance Impact

As I mentioned, different modules of CleanMyMac have different impacts on the performance of your Mac.

It’s up to you whether you want to keep CleanMyMac running in the background. However, I have formed a habit of launching the app whenever I find my MacBook Air a little sluggish. Almost every time, a thorough scan using the app makes things better, too.

Countless reviews of CleanMyMac also reveal the same idea. This is particularly the case when you have an old and low-configuration Mac at your disposal. In these situations, you have a better chance of getting rid of junk and speeding up the performance.

In most cases, you’d notice the performance impact of CleanMyMac on your Mac. However, it may not be the case if your system has an overkill configuration with more than enough RAM and processing power.

Pricing and Value

CleanMyMac is a paid tool, and you can get a license starting at $39.95 per year. There is also a one-time payment option, which will set you back at $119.95. MacPaw offers a couple of discount options when you get multiple licenses together.

But if you want to try the app before buying it, you can use the 7-day free trial, which gives you access to all the features. The developer also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, if you don’t find CleanMyMac helpful enough, you can get a refund.

You can also get CleanMyMac through a Setapp subscription, which gives you 200+ other apps.

Value Proposition

Let’s say that you have a relatively older Mac. Of course, not everyone can upgrade to the latest chip when it is out. It means you need to find ways to salvage the best out of it. In such an instance, it makes sense to get a CleanMyMac license and use the app now and then.

Even if your Mac isn’t particularly slow, using this cleaner-optimizer utility can improve the experience with macOS. So, I’d say it offers pretty great value.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Comprehensive cleaning tools effectively free up disk space.
• User-friendly interface accessible to all technical levels.
• Performance optimization enhances system responsiveness.
• Simplifies application uninstallation and updates.
• Privacy protection features maintain user confidentiality.

Cons:

• Certain features may not match the robustness of specialized software.

Final Notes

While it has some minor shortcomings, CleanMyMac is a significant investment that all Mac users should use. As it combines the multiple aspects of performance optimization and protection, you don’t need to keep two apps running at the same time. We also like that the developers behind MacPaw keep adding new features to the package.

Explore more about CleanMyMac on the official Macpaw website.