Kaspersky Adds App Cleaner to macOS

New feature removes leftover files from uninstalled apps, helping Mac users free up storage and reduce digital clutter.

Kaspersky has introduced App Cleaner for macOS, a new feature in Kaspersky Premium designed to remove leftover files that can remain after applications are uninstalled.

When Mac users delete an app by dragging it to the Trash, associated files such as caches, settings, logs and support data may remain on the device. Over time, these files can consume storage space and add to digital clutter.

Kaspersky said App Cleaner can completely remove an application and its associated files. It can also scan for and delete leftover files from applications that were uninstalled previously.

The company said a recent survey found that macOS users are generally proactive about managing digital clutter. Some 56% of respondents said they regularly clear browser history, cookies, cache and temporary files, while 54% manage or delete unnecessary files such as photos and videos. However, only 44% said they regularly remove unused or rarely used applications.

According to Kaspersky, leftover application files can sometimes contain sensitive information, including account tokens, saved passwords, activity logs, IP addresses, usernames, document fragments, images, chats and personal folder paths.

The company warned that such data could potentially be recovered if an attacker gains access to a device or if the device is sold or given away without being properly wiped.

App Cleaner is designed to identify files associated with applications during the removal process and delete them. It can also locate application-specific leftovers from software removed in the past.

However, the feature does not delete shared files used by multiple applications. For example, common components shared between Microsoft Office applications can only be removed when the last application using them is uninstalled.

Kaspersky said the new feature is intended to help Mac users maintain cleaner devices while making it easier to recover storage space occupied by files left behind by uninstalled applications.