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Overview
Pearcleaner is a macOS cleanup application that searches for files related to an app during uninstall and helps remove leftovers. It also combines Homebrew, PKG, plugin, service, updater, and development-environment utilities in one SwiftUI application.
Features and best fit
Based on official documentation; not hands-on tested · Content checked:
Key features
Find an application and its related files together
Select or drag an application to locate preferences, caches, and other related files for removal. Orphaned File Search can also look for files left behind after an application is gone.
Sources: [2]
Manage Homebrew, packages, services, and updates from the same app
Homebrew Manager, PKG Manager, Plugin Manager, Services Manager, Apps Updater, and development-environment tools extend the workflow beyond basic uninstalling.
Route deletions through Trash for easier undo
The 5.4 line consolidates deletion behavior around an UndoManager, moving most supported removals to Trash and retaining a recoverable deletion history.
Sources: [3]
Best fit
Fits Mac users consolidating app cleanup and package maintenance
It is relevant when users want to avoid manually hunting for application leftovers while keeping Homebrew and update-related maintenance in the same utility.
Sources: [2]
Before adoption
The project is currently on hold
The README says active development effectively stopped in late 2025 and issue responses, features, PR reviews, and releases are on hold indefinitely. Future macOS changes should not be assumed to receive timely support.
Sources: [2]
Full Disk Access and a privileged helper may be required
Related-file searches require Full Disk permission, while actions involving system folders use a privileged helper. Review candidates and permission scope before deleting files.
Sources: [2]
The license is Apache 2.0 with a Commons Clause, not plain Apache-2.0
LICENSE.md adds the Commons Clause to Apache License 2.0 and restricts selling Pearcleaner or modified versions as a product or service. GitHub reports the repository SPDX value as NOASSERTION.
Sources: [4]
Official sources
- [1]alienator88/Pearcleaner repository(2026-10-01)
- [2]Pearcleaner README(2026-10-01)
- [3]Pearcleaner 5.4.3 release(2026-10-01)
- [4]Pearcleaner Apache-2.0 with Commons Clause license(2026-10-01)
Supplemental curator note
Pearcleaner goes beyond deleting an app bundle by combining related-file discovery, Homebrew and PKG management, updates, and development-environment cleanup. Its README says active development has been on hold indefinitely since late 2025, so validate it on the target macOS version without assuming future compatibility.
Try it in 3 steps
- 1
Install Pearcleaner
Install Pearcleaner on macOS through the Homebrew Cask path documented in the README.
brew install --cask pearcleaner - 2
Launch Pearcleaner
Start the app and grant Full Disk Access in macOS Privacy & Security settings if needed for related-file searches.
open -a Pearcleaner - 3
Review related files before uninstalling
Inspect the discovered files before removal. Operations on protected system locations may use the privileged helper.
Drag an app into Pearcleaner and review the related-file list before deleting
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Categories
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GitHub data
GitHub dataView detailed GitHub data
- Stars
- 14,772
- Forks
- 386
- Watchers
- 48
- Open issues
- 87
- Owner type
- User
- Primary language
- Swift
- License
- Not determined
- Repository last updated
- Jun 22, 2026
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