macOS

Where Does AppCleaner Store Data on Mac?

AppCleaner keeps SmartDelete prefs in ~/Library/Preferences with caches and state stored beside them.

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AppCleaner stores its own settings the standard Mac way. Preferences live in two plist files under Library Preferences. Caches, HTTP storage and saved state sit beside them. Scans themselves find leftovers across Support, Caches, Containers and LaunchAgents.

Back up the plist pair to keep SmartDelete behavior and protected apps. Leave caches out since those rebuild. The Homebrew zap list spells out every path, which makes full removal just as simple.

Where AppCleaner stores this, by platform

macOS
~/Library/Preferences/net.freemacsoft.AppCleaner.plist (plus SmartDelete plist)

SmartDelete and protected lists in prefs plists. Caches and saved state rebuild after deletion. Back up plists with AppCleaner closed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I move AppCleaner settings?

Copy the AppCleaner prefs plists plus saved state to the same paths with the app closed. SmartDelete and protected lists travel with them. Reopen once to confirm before wiping the old Mac.

How do I enable SmartDelete?

Open Preferences and flip SmartDelete on, then quit AppCleaner and leave it alone. Trashing any app afterwards pops the leftover scan. Nothing deletes automatically without your click.

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