Question 1

Is there a free Mac cleaner?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DissectMac's disk space analyzer, search and live monitor are free with no time limit and no account. The map shows every folder on your drive to scale, so you can see what's taking up space and delete it yourself in Finder. Pro adds deleting inside the app, the app uninstaller and leftover cleanup, for $12.99 once.

Question 2

Does a Mac have a built-in cleaner?

Accepted Answer

Not really. System Settings > General > Storage shows a category bar and a few recommendations, such as emptying the Trash automatically, but it has no file list for System Data and can't see inside the Library folders where most of the space goes. That gap is what DissectMac fills.

Question 3

Is DissectMac safe to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DissectMac is notarized by Apple, which means Apple has scanned the app for malicious code before it runs on your Mac. It only deletes what you choose, files go to the Trash rather than being erased, and nothing you scan leaves your computer.

Question 4

Is my data private?

Accepted Answer

Everything runs on your Mac. File names, folder structures and scan results are never uploaded, there's no account, and we can't see what you scan. Crash reports go through Sentry with folder names redacted on your device before anything is sent; no names, emails or IP addresses are collected.

Question 5

How is DissectMac different from CleanMyMac or DaisyDisk?

Accepted Answer

CleanMyMac is a yearly subscription built around one-click cleanups you can't fully inspect. DaisyDisk shows a map but stops at the map. DissectMac shows the map for free, drawn to scale down to the file, and Pro clears what you find in the same window, including the leftover files an uninstalled app leaves behind, for a single payment.

Question 6

What does System Data or Other mean in my Mac's storage?

Accepted Answer

System Data, called Other on older versions of macOS, is where macOS puts caches, logs, local Time Machine snapshots, app support files, device backups and anything else it can't categorise. It's usually 10 to 30 GB. DissectMac shows what's inside it folder by folder so you can clear the parts that are safe.

Question 7

Which version should I download, Silicon or Intel?

Accepted Answer

If your Mac has an M1, M2, M3, M4 or later Apple chip, download the Silicon version. If it has an Intel processor, which covers most Macs from 2020 and earlier, download the Intel version. To check, open the Apple menu, choose About This Mac, and look for Chip (Silicon) or Processor (Intel).

Question 8

Which macOS versions does DissectMac support?

Accepted Answer

DissectMac runs on macOS 12 Monterey and later, including macOS 26, on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

Question 9

The app won't open. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

DissectMac is distributed outside the Mac App Store, so macOS may block the first launch. Right-click the app, choose Open, then click Open again in the dialog. You only have to do this once.

Question 10

Is DissectMac a subscription?

Accepted Answer

No. DissectMac Pro is a one-time payment of $12.99. You get every current Pro feature and future updates, with nothing to renew and no account to keep.

Question 11

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If Pro doesn't earn its place within 15 days, email support@dissectmac.com and we refund it in full, no questions asked.

The disk space analyzer that clears your Mac

Six things that fill a Mac. None of them is your photos.

System Data

Xcode build files

Docker disk image

node_modules

Local AI models

Leftovers from deleted apps

Scan. See. Clear.

Remove apps and everything they left behind

How DissectMac cleans a Mac

Scan your Mac

See what's taking up space

Clear it

One price. Every tool. Yours for good.

Fix it yourself first

Questions about DissectMac

Get your gigabytes back for $12.99.