Folder ScrubFolder-first Mac cleaner
Your folders, reviewed before anything hits the Trash.
Folder Scrub scans the folders you choose — screenshots, duplicates, stale installers, heavy files, and more — on your Mac. You decide what moves to the Trash. No system-wide “optimization” sweep.
3 free scans · Lifetime license · 3 Mac activations · Direct download
142 screenshots · 4.8 GB
Review mode12 selected · moves to Trash only
Move to TrashApp UI mock — illustrative scan of ~/Downloads
What it does
Choose it. Scan it. Review it. Trash it.
Four beats, no mystery menus. Each step maps to something you can see in the app.
01 · Choose
Pick a folder — not your whole disk.
Point Folder Scrub at Downloads, an external backup, or a project dump. System folders and Photos libraries stay off limits so you do not break macOS by accident.
Whole-disk and system folders are blocked. Photos libraries are skipped.
Macintosh HD
External backup
02 · Scan
Categories that match real mess.
Screenshots, large files, duplicate groups, old .dmg and .pkg installers, video-heavy folders, blurry and similar shots — plus optional private media review, analyzed on your Mac.
Scan categories
- Screenshots142
- Large files23
- Duplicate groups8
- Old installers11
- Similar photos34
- Video-heavy6
- Private media reviewOptional
Toggle what matters. Run one scan, review by category.
03 · Review
Blurred until you are ready.
Previews stay obscured until you reveal them. Select only what you want gone. Optional sensitive-media flags use local models — nothing uploaded for scoring.
04 · Reclaim
Duplicates and space, spelled out.
See duplicate groups with the space you will get back. Pick the keeper, send the rest toward the Trash, and know the number before you commit.
Before
1,240 files
~/Downloads · unfiltered
After review
12.4 GB freed
Moved to Trash · recoverable
05 · Trash
Confirm once. Recover anytime.
Folder Scrub never permanently deletes from the confirmation dialog. Everything lands in the Trash until you empty it — same as Finder.
Nothing is permanently deleted from this dialog.
Compare
Finder, or a folder cleaner that stays honest?
Finder is fine for opening a folder. Generic “Mac optimizers” promise speed. Folder Scrub sits in the middle: deep review in folders you choose, without touching system junk or uploading your files.
| Folder Scrub | Finder | Typical “Mac cleaner” | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pick the folder yourself | Yes | Yes | Often whole-disk scan |
| Screenshots, duplicates, installers, large files | Yes | Manual search | Varies |
| Review every file before removal | Yes | Yes | Often one-click “clean” |
| Moves to Trash — never permanent delete | Yes | Yes | Sometimes “shredded” |
| Optional private media review (on-device) | Yes | — | — |
| System cache / “speed up Mac” promises | No | No | Yes |
| Your files uploaded for scanning | No | No | Often |
| Price | $9 one-time | Included with macOS | Subscription common |
Compared with Finder and common cleaner positioning as described on their marketing pages. CleanMyMac and similar names are trademarks of their owners. Folder Scrub is not affiliated with Apple.
Privacy
Your folders stay your business.
No account. No analytics SDK in the app. Just the folders you chose and the license check when you pay.
- 01
Scans stay on your Mac
Folder picking, previews, and optional on-device image analysis run locally. We do not upload your files to scan them.
- 02
Trash, not delete
When you remove something, it goes to the Trash. Empty the Trash when you are sure — or put a file back if a flag was wrong.
- 03
Only license calls online
After purchase, activation and validation talk to Dodo Payments. That is the only routine network use in the app.
Early voices
What Mac users are looking for.
Real testimonials will land here after launch. These lines are placeholders — labeled so nobody mistakes them for paid reviews.
“I finally cleaned Downloads without nuking something I still needed. The review step is the whole point.”
“Folder-first is what I wanted — not another app promising to 'optimize' my Mac.”
“Duplicates and old DMGs in one pass. Trash only — I checked.”
Pay once. Keep it.
No subscription. No upsell bundle. One honest price.
Folder Scrub for Mac
$9
Lifetime license · 3 Mac activations
- Lifetime license · 3 Mac activations
- 3 free full scans before purchase
- Screenshots, duplicates, installers, large files, and more
- Folder-first — no system “optimization” sweep
- Direct download · not Mac App Store
- Updates for the current major version
Checkout secured by Dodo Payments · License key by email
Notarized DMG URL ships when release signing is done. Set PUBLIC_DOWNLOAD_URL on Vercel to enable the download button.
Questions
Is Folder Scrub like CleanMyMac or other system cleaners?
No. Folder Scrub is folder-first: you choose where to scan and which categories to include. It does not promise to optimize macOS or delete hidden system caches.
Can I try it before paying?
Yes. The app includes 3 free full scans. After that, enter a license key from checkout to keep scanning.
What if I want a refund?
Email support@folderscrub.app within 14 days of purchase. We refund ordinary requests in that window. Checkout is handled by Dodo Payments.
What happens to files I remove?
They move to the Trash. Nothing is permanently deleted from Folder Scrub. Empty the Trash when you are sure, or put files back if something was flagged by mistake.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. Scanning and optional on-device image analysis stay on your Mac. Only license activation and validation use the network (via Dodo Payments).
Is it on the Mac App Store?
No. Folder Scrub ships as a direct download (Developer ID signed and notarized at release) so folder access and updates stay straightforward.
How many Macs can I use?
One lifetime license includes three activations. Deactivate on an old Mac when you move to a new one, following the in-app license screen.
Which folders can I scan?
Any folder you own — Downloads, Documents, external drives, project archives. System roots and Photos libraries are blocked to avoid breaking macOS or Apple Photos.