CleanMyMac X Review. There are three previous versions of CleanMyMac’s Mac cleaner, but we’ll be reviewing the latest version, CleanMyMac X. We should also note that MacPaw gave us a free license to test out all the features; however, that didn’t skew our opinion or thoughts on the product. Quick Summary. MacPaw CleanMyMac X is like a maid for your Mac, keeping it uncluttered so that it runs like new. Temporary files can build up on your drive until you run out of space, and your Mac’s configuration can become sub-optimal over time so that it feels slower.
![Review Review](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125604717/422921928.jpeg)
CleanMyMac X is MacPaw’s catch-all software crud and gunk remover for the Mac. This version swings for the fences, with new features such as a malware scanner, extensions manager, and a universal updater for all of your application programs. This is in addition to CleanMyMac X’s core functions, which include tools for smart cleanup, system junk, mail attachments, iTunes junk, trash bins, a large and old files scanner, privacy scanner, and application uninstaller. IDG CleanMyMac X's new menu bar menu. CleanMyMac X is also complimented by an improved menu bar menu that can be clicked to take note of handy information such as available hard drive space, available RAM, network connectivity speed, CPU usage, and a quick means of opening your Dropbox account.
An improved Notification system lets you know which programs are lagging or suspended, but isn’t as obtrusive as seen in previous versions of CleanMyMac. As with previous versions, the modules work well, and users can either performed generalized, overarching system scans or embrace a fair degree of customization and specify what they want looked into and to what extent.
CleanMyMac X has built on its core strengths of finding gigabytes of assorted crud—cache files, unused language files, and duplicate files—to clear up room at a speedier pace than previous versions. Handy modules New modules such as Extensions and Updater come in handy. With the Extensions module (which almost harkens back to Mac OS 9’s Extensions Manager), you can quickly manage extensions without having to dive too deeply into the macOS. The applications updater, in turn, provides a quick means of finding every application you have and updating them on the fly, which becomes almost addictive in its ease of use and functionality.
As with CleanMyMac 3, the Large & Old Files module helps you quickly see what files are devouring the most space on your hard drive and quickly erase them at will. This pairs well with the Uninstaller module, which helps you quickly locate your application programs and erase them as well as their support files to rid them from your Mac forever. IDG The Large & Old Files module. All this combines with a decent new Maintenance module, which offers an assortment of system-level clean up scripts (Free Up RAM, Run Maintenance Scripts, Flush DNS Cache, Speed Up Mail, Rebuild Launch Services, Reindex Spotlight, Repair Disk Permissions) to help free up resources.
The effort is appreciated, but free utilities such as have historically done this better with more modules and customization. Malware module Unfortunately, the Malware module is where things fall apart. Over the course of days of testing, I installed several pieces of known Mac malware and adware on a MacBook Pro running macOS 10.14.1 Mojave. These samples included MacKeeper, assorted free-and-questionable video players, and entirely questionable utilities that purport to speed up your Mac yet historically find “infections,” change your web browser and search engine preferences, activate the speaker to tell you that your Mac has been corrupted, and advise you to call an 800 number where a technician can help resurrect your computer for a fee.
Upon running CleanMyMac X’s Malware module, which claims to be able to find and clean out malware with confidence, the module missed every beat, locating none of the malware or adware and happily reporting back that my Mac was clean, devoid of malware and ready to go. I used a free version of to locate the malware, quarantine it, delete it, reboot my MacBook Pro, and ensure that the malware was gone. IDG The Malware module reported a clean sheet during testing, despite the fact that we purposely installed known malware on the test platform. This presents an enormous problem and unless MacPaw improves upon the malware module, this feels like you’ve opened the gates to malware and adware on your Mac if you’re only using CleanMyMac X for protection. MacPaw says that they are working on an update to address this issue. CleanMyMac X retails for $39.95 for a one-year subscription for a single user and $89.95 for a one-time payment for a single user with the MacPaw store offering different purchase tiers depending on. The software is available in a trial version, which lets you run as many scans as you want, clean up to 500MB of system junk, and run assorted tools a limited number of times.
Bottom line CleanMyMac X has a fair amount going for it, especially in terms of its speed, new modules, and improved user interface, and it could represent a significant step forward for the program. Sadly, the Malware module seems to be where MacPaw has shot itself in the foot and will need to spend a number of caffeine-fueled evenings fixing this in a forthcoming update. Still, this doesn’t have to be an absolute deal breaker, and, if coupled with a focused malware utility such as Malwarebytes, CleanMyMac X does offer its own advantages with its core advantage of removing gigabytes upon gigabytes of system junk in tact and worth consideration.
What's new in CleanMyMac X? I know I don't need CleanMyMac. I can do all of the cleaning actions it offers myself by going into different files and manually deleting things. Since macOS Sierra, Apple even offers its own version of a Mac cleaner with Optimize Storage, Reduce Clutter, and Empty Trash Automatically. That being said, I love CleanMyMac because it's so much easier to use than digging around my system, removing old files, clearing caches, deleting cookies, freeing up memory, and all the other Mac cleaner tools that it does for me with just a click. I've been using CleanMyMac since 2015.
It has never caused me any slowdown issues, nor has it ever automatically deleted a system file that it shouldn't have. It's always worked great and been easy to use. With version X (pronounced ex) there are new tools, better junk scan, faster search, and more.
Complete redesign - CleanMyMac has an all-over redesigned look. Though it's got an updated look, the tools you need are still in the same place.
So if you're updating from version 3, you won't feel lost in the woods with this new design. Better algorithms for scanning for junk - With years of experience and a better understanding of how we use the program, MacPaw's team created a better algorithm for scanning for junk so it is more likely to find something in your Mac that you don't need hanging around. Malware scanner - CleanMyMac X will check for malicious files, viruses, and more. If you think something may be lurking around in your system that doesn't belong, CleanMyMac X's malware scan can seek it out.
Faster scan - CleanMyMac X has an improved scan time of up to three times faster. That first time you look for junk will take a lot less time than it used to. Separate tools for updating apps - In the latest version of CleanMyMac, you can quickly see apps that haven't been used in a long time, but you can also see apps outside of the Mac App Store that need an update.
Click the Update button right from the updater to get up to date. Personal assistant - When you perform a scan, a little chat bubble appears and offers additional suggestions for clearing out junk that you may want to do next. You can find the personal assistant in the upper right corner of the window at any time. Click it for suggestions. CleanMyMac Menu redesign - The Menu bar widget has a whole new look with more information available at a glance.
See how much hard drive space you have, how much RAM you're using (with a shortcut to free up memory), how full your trash is (with a shortcut to empty it), your processor load and what apps are weighing it down, your network speeds (with a shortcut to test your wi-fi speed), and the ability to monitor how much space you're using in Dropbox. What I liked One of my favorite moments testing out CleanMyMac X was when I was using the app updater.
It showed that Malwarebytes needed an update, but when I clicked on the update button. Nothing happened. I double-clicked on the Malwarebytes icon in CleanMyMac X and it opened Malwarebytes. The prompt said I needed to update to version 3, which I knew I had already done. So, I right-clicked on the Malwarebytes icon in CleanMyMac X and selected 'Show in Finder.' Sure enough, there were two versions of the app. I was able to find the old app and delete it in just a couple of clicks!
The app uninstaller actually has a specific section for 32-bit apps on your Mac. MacOS Mojave will be the last Mac operating system to support 32-bit apps. I quickly removed about 60 apps that I won't be able to use again in a few months anyway, whether I like them or not.
When you go through individual scan-and-remove tools, you can see what's being recommended for removal and decide for yourself whether you want to delete it. For example, in the iTunes Junk scanning tool, CleanMyMac X will scan iTunes for broken downloads, old software updates, and iOS apps you may still have stored on your Mac (from back when you could do that sort of thing). After the scan, you can review the details and manually decide whether you want to delete such things as old iPhone backups (I deleted about 25GB of old iPhone backups, but saved one that I have for my SE). The first and most obvious change to CleanMyMac X is the interface. It's got a lot of rounded corners, brightly-colored icons, faux transparent backgrounds, and a nice ombre effect throughout. It's simply beautiful.
![Cleanmymac Review Cleanmymac Review](https://cdn2.macpaw.com/images/cleanmymac@4x.png)
I never had a problem with the version 3 interface, but now that I've been using the version X interface, the old one looks like an outdated pair of jeans - you still like the way they look, but wouldn't be caught dead wearing them in public. The updated Menu bar widget is one of my favorite changes to CleanMyMac X. Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good Menu bar widget. CleanMyMac Menu now shows you lots of useful information about your Mac's system and most categories include a shortcut to cleaning up a process. You can free up memory, remove trash, and run a speed test on your network, all right in the Menu bar widget. If you want to add anything scanned to the 'Ignore' list, you can right click on it and your recommendations will stop telling you to review those files. It really helps when you're trying to scratch that itch to do everything recommended.
Getting that 'All Clean' response is so very satisfying. What I didn't like There are some minor functions that confused me just a little bit.
For example, when I deleted the duplicate, older Malwarebytes app directly in Finder, it still appeared in CleanMyMac X until I quit and restarted it. Additionally, there is one app I use on a very regular basis that is listed on the 'unused' section of my app list. Though CleanMyMac X is fairly good at reading what's in your system, it's a good idea to always review files to make sure you understand what's being suggested to remove, - something that CleanMyMac does recommend for each tool.
5 out of 5 It's not the cheapest software around at a retail price of about $90 for a one-time purchase or $40 per year for the subscription. Everything that you can do using CleanMyMac, you can do yourself if you know your Mac well and aren't afraid of Terminal. If, however, you'd rather have a program that does it all with one click, you can get CleanMyMac X at a massive 30-50% discount right now during MacPaw's 10-year anniversary sale.
New users at $28 for the yearly subscription or $63 for a one-time purchase. Get 50% off the upgrade at $45 for a one-time purchase. If you're switching to the yearly subscription at this time, you can lock in a $20 price for one year.