Where Does ImageOptim Store Preferences on Mac?
ImageOptim prefs plist and caches on macOS, and why optimized images never stay inside the app folder.
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ImageOptim is a Mac only optimizer. Its options live in a standard preferences plist in ~/Library/Preferences. Caches sit in ~/Library/Caches.
Source images stay where you dropped them. The app overwrites in place or writes beside the original depending on settings. There is no library to back up, only prefs.
Where ImageOptim stores this, by platform
~/Library/Preferences/net.pornel.imageoptim.plist
Main options file (quality sliders, strip metadata toggles). Cache is nearby in ~/Library/Caches/net.pornel.imageoptim/. Delete the plist to reset options; images elsewhere are untouched.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reset ImageOptim settings?
Quit the app and delete net.pornel.imageoptim.plist from Preferences, then relaunch. Defaults return. Your optimized PNGs and JPEGs stay in their own folders.
Where does ImageOptim put optimized files?
Right where the originals were, unless you set it to use symlinks or a separate output. The app folder in Applications never holds images. Check Preferences if results surprise you.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.