What macOS versions does OnyX support in 2026?

As of February 2026, OnyX maintains a strict policy of releasing a specific version tailored for each major macOS iteration. This ensures maximum compatibility and stability. For the very latest macOS 'Tahoe' 26, OnyX 4.9.5 is the current compatible version, released on February 14, 2026. Additionally, older versions of OnyX are available for previous macOS releases like Sequoia 15, Sonoma 14, Ventura 13, Monterey 12, and even as far back as OS X Jaguar 10.2. Users must download and install the exact OnyX version corresponding to their Mac's operating system for the utility to function correctly and avoid potential issues. The Titanium Software website provides an archive of these specific versions.

Does OnyX automatically optimize my Mac?

No, OnyX does not automatically optimize your Mac in the background like some commercial 'set-it-and-forget-it' utilities. OnyX is a manual tool that requires user input to initiate its maintenance, cleaning, and optimization tasks. While it can perform numerous operations with a single click after you select them, you must manually launch the application and choose which tasks to execute. This hands-on approach gives users granular control over their system but means it won't run routine optimizations without your direct intervention. This contrasts with some paid alternatives that offer scheduled, automated maintenance.

What are the main differences between OnyX and paid utilities like CleanMyMac X?

The primary differences between OnyX and paid alternatives like CleanMyMac X lie in pricing, user interface, automation, and target audience. OnyX is completely free and donationware, offering robust, deep-level system control through a functional, less visually elaborate interface. It requires users to manually select and initiate tasks, appealing to power users comfortable with system intricacies. CleanMyMac X, conversely, is a paid subscription service featuring a sleek, highly visual, and user-friendly interface with extensive automation options, including scheduled cleaning and real-time monitoring. It often includes additional features like malware removal and more detailed visual feedback on space reclaimed. It targets users who prefer convenience and a more automated, guided experience, even at a cost.

Can OnyX help recover disk space on my Mac?

Absolutely. One of OnyX's significant benefits is its ability to help users reclaim substantial disk space. It achieves this by efficiently clearing out various types of accumulated junk files, including system, user, application, and font caches, as well as obsolete log files, temporary items, and internet browsing data (cookies, history). These files can grow quite large over time and unnecessarily consume valuable storage. By utilizing OnyX's deep cleaning features, users can effectively remove this digital clutter, freeing up gigabytes of space and contributing to improved system performance, especially on Macs with limited SSD storage.

What are 'hidden parameters' that OnyX can modify?

The 'hidden parameters' that OnyX can modify are advanced settings within macOS and various Apple applications that are not accessible through standard System Settings or preferences panes. These often require command-line entries in Terminal to alter. OnyX provides a graphical interface to tweak these. Examples include customizing Finder's behavior (e.g., showing hidden files, changing default view options), modifying Dock animations or appearance, altering Safari's debugging menus, changing screenshot file formats and saving locations, and adjusting various animation effects across the system. This level of customization allows power users to fine-tune their Mac experience beyond typical options.

Do I need to restart my Mac after running OnyX?

After running certain maintenance and cleaning tasks in OnyX, particularly those that involve clearing caches or rebuilding system databases, it is often necessary and recommended to restart your Mac. OnyX itself may prompt you to restart, or in some cases, even automatically initiate a restart. This ensures that the changes take full effect, new caches are built cleanly, and any processes relying on the cleaned or rebuilt components can restart properly. Restarting helps finalize the optimization process and can be crucial for experiencing the full performance benefits of the tasks performed by OnyX.

How often should I run OnyX on my Mac?

The frequency of running OnyX depends on your Mac's usage patterns, but a general recommendation is to run its maintenance and cleaning tasks periodically, such as once a month or quarterly. Users who heavily use their Mac for demanding tasks, frequently install/uninstall software, or have limited storage might benefit from more frequent runs. However, it's generally not necessary to run OnyX daily. Excessive use, particularly of deep cleaning features, can sometimes be counterproductive as macOS typically manages many of its caches efficiently. A balanced approach ensures system hygiene without overly disrupting normal operations or unnecessarily wearing out SSDs.

Is there a risk of damaging my system with OnyX?

While OnyX is a reliable and safe tool, there is a theoretical risk of causing unintended system behavior if its powerful features are misused without understanding. Because OnyX interacts with deep system files and hidden parameters, indiscriminately checking options or deleting files without knowledge of their purpose could potentially lead to minor glitches or, in rare cases, instability. This is why OnyX is often recommended for users with at least a basic understanding of macOS. To mitigate risks, always back up your system before major operations, read the descriptions of each function carefully, and download OnyX only from the official Titanium Software website.

How does OnyX handle application uninstallation?

OnyX provides a more comprehensive approach to application uninstallation than simply dragging an app to the Trash. When you uninstall an application through OnyX, it doesn't just delete the primary application bundle. Instead, it helps locate and remove associated files scattered across your system, such as preference files, application support folders, cache files, and other leftover components. This ensures a cleaner removal, preventing 'digital residue' from accumulating and potentially causing conflicts or consuming disk space unnecessarily. This thorough cleaning is particularly beneficial for keeping your macOS streamlined and free from clutter over time.

BUNDL

AI Builder

JavaScript is disabled. Some interactive features require JavaScript. Core content is still available below.

Loading…

OnyX

Name: OnyX
Availability: InStock

System maintenance and optimization utility

System UtilitiesFree

OnyX screenshot — OnyX — Official Website

Quick Take: OnyX

4.5

OnyX, in 2026, continues its legacy as an indispensable and exceptional free utility for macOS maintenance and optimization. Its robust feature set, spanning deep cleaning, system verification, hidden parameter customization, and thorough uninstallation, makes it an unparalleled tool for those who desire granular control over their Mac. While its functional, less graphical interface and the requirement for user understanding might deter novices, for power users and Mac enthusiasts, OnyX is a powerful bridge to complex UNIX commands, wrapped in an accessible application. The dedication of Joël Barrière to constantly update OnyX for each new macOS version ensures its relevance and reliability, making it a staple in any serious Mac user's software arsenal. It’s a testament to effective donationware, offering premium-level functionality without the price tag, provided you're willing to learn its depths.

Best For

•Mac Power Users and Enthusiasts
•Users Seeking Deep System Customization
•Individuals Prioritizing Free Maintenance Tools
•IT Support and System Administrators

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask onyx

What is OnyX?

OnyX is a venerable and highly regarded multifunction utility for macOS, meticulously developed by Joël Barrière under Titanium Software. Launched in 2003, shortly after the release of OS X Jaguar, it has consistently served as a powerful, free tool for Mac users seeking deeper control over their operating system. In 2026, with macOS 'Tahoe' 26 being the latest iteration, OnyX remains a critical application for maintaining optimal system health and performance. Its core value proposition lies in providing a clean, accessible interface to numerous system tasks and hidden parameters that would otherwise require complex command-line entries in Terminal. For Mac users navigating the complexities of modern macOS, OnyX offers essential functionalities such as verifying startup disk integrity, performing comprehensive cleaning (caches, logs, temporary files), rebuilding system databases (like Spotlight indexes), uninstalling applications thoroughly, and customizing various hidden settings in Finder, Dock, Safari, and other Apple applications. It stands out in the crowded System Utilities landscape by being completely free and focusing on robust functionality over flashy visuals, catering to users who prioritize deep system control and reliability.

Key Features

System Maintenance & Verification

This feature allows users to verify the structure of the startup disk and system files, ensuring their integrity. It also includes options to rebuild various system databases and indexes, such as the Spotlight index, which can resolve indexing issues and improve search performance. Regular use helps detect potential problems early, maintaining system stability.

Deep Cleaning Operations

OnyX provides extensive cleaning capabilities, targeting system, user, application, and font caches, as well as various log files and temporary items that accumulate over time. This helps reclaim valuable disk space and can significantly improve system responsiveness and overall performance by removing unnecessary clutter. Users can choose specific items to clear for granular control.

Parameter Customization

One of OnyX's most powerful features is its ability to access and modify hidden parameters within macOS and various Apple applications like Finder, Dock, and Safari. This allows users to tweak behaviors and appearances not exposed in standard System Settings, offering a high degree of personalization, from adjusting animation speeds to changing screenshot formats.

Application Uninstallation

Beyond simply dragging an app to the Trash, OnyX offers a more thorough uninstallation process. It helps identify and remove associated files, preferences, and support data that applications leave behind, ensuring a cleaner system and preventing residual files from consuming disk space or causing conflicts.

Utilities Access

This section consolidates access to several useful, yet often hidden, macOS utilities and functions. Users can easily access tools like Storage Management, Screen Sharing, and Wireless Diagnostics directly from OnyX. It also provides access to UNIX manual pages and allows for changing the visibility status of files, folders, and disks, empowering advanced file management.

Secure File Deletion

For enhanced privacy and data security, OnyX includes features to securely delete files. Rather than just removing pointers to data, this function overwrites the disk space occupied by deleted files multiple times, making them irrecoverable even with specialized data recovery software. This is crucial for sensitive information.

Who Should Use OnyX?

1The Everyday Mac User

A marketing professional, after months of creating large project files, installing various applications for different campaigns, and numerous browser tabs, notices their MacBook Air (M3, macOS Tahoe 26) is starting to feel sluggish and storage is tight. They launch OnyX, navigate to the 'Cleaning' tab, and with a few clicks, clear out system and application caches, outdated logs, and internet browsing data. They also run the 'Maintenance' scripts to rebuild the Spotlight index, significantly speeding up their search for client assets and regaining several gigabytes of disk space, bringing their Mac back to snappy performance.

2The macOS Power User / Developer

A software developer working on a complex Xcode project finds themselves frequently adjusting system-level behaviors. Instead of typing lengthy commands into Terminal, they use OnyX's 'Parameters' pane to quickly toggle hidden settings. For example, they might disable window animations for a snappier workflow, change the default screenshot file format and location to better integrate with their project's assets, or force quit stubborn background processes without resorting to Activity Monitor, streamlining their development environment for maximum efficiency on their Mac Studio (M4 Ultra, macOS Tahoe 26).

3The IT Administrator / Mac Support Specialist

An IT administrator is troubleshooting a fleet of iMacs (M2, macOS Sequoia 15) in a design studio. One machine is exhibiting unusual slowdowns and application crashes. The admin installs OnyX on the problematic Mac, runs the 'Verification' tools to check the startup disk and system file integrity. They then use the 'Utilities' section to examine system logs for error patterns and perform a deep clean. This systematic approach, leveraging OnyX's diagnostic and cleaning capabilities, allows them to quickly pinpoint a corrupted cache file as the culprit, resolving the issue without a full system reinstall.

How to Install OnyX on Mac

Installing OnyX on your Mac in 2026 is a straightforward process, though it's crucial to download the version specifically designed for your macOS. Titanium Software meticulously develops a distinct OnyX version for each major macOS release to ensure full compatibility and functionality.

Download the Correct Version

Visit the official Titanium Software website (titanium-software.fr) and locate the download section for OnyX. Crucially, identify and download the specific version of OnyX that matches your current macOS (e.g., OnyX 4.9.5 for macOS 'Tahoe' 26, OnyX 4.8.5 for macOS 'Sequoia' 15). Downloading an incompatible version will prevent the application from working correctly.

Install the Application

Once the .dmg file is downloaded, double-click it to open the disk image. Drag the OnyX application icon to your 'Applications' folder. This places the application in the standard location for macOS applications. If prompted, confirm that you wish to open an application downloaded from the internet.

Grant Full Disk Access & Administrator Privileges

Upon its first launch, OnyX will likely request administrator credentials. Enter your username and password. More importantly, it requires 'Full Disk Access' to perform its deep system operations. Navigate to System Settings > Security & Privacy > Privacy & Security, then select 'Full Disk Access'. Unlock the padlock, click the '+' button, and add OnyX to the list, ensuring its checkbox is ticked. This is a critical step for OnyX to function correctly.

Optional: Install via Homebrew Cask

For users comfortable with the command line, OnyX can also be installed using Homebrew Cask. If you have Homebrew installed, simply open Terminal and execute the command: `brew install --cask onyx`. Homebrew will handle the download and placement in your Applications folder, though you will still need to manually grant Full Disk Access for the application.

Pro Tips

• Always ensure you download the version of OnyX specifically designed for your current macOS to prevent compatibility issues.
• Before running any major maintenance or cleaning tasks, it is highly recommended to back up your Mac using Time Machine or another backup solution.
• Granting Full Disk Access is essential; without it, OnyX's deeper system maintenance and cleaning functions will be severely limited.

Configuration Tips

Always Backup Before Major Changes

Before initiating any significant cleaning, maintenance, or parameter modifications within OnyX, it is critically important to perform a full system backup. While OnyX is reliable, manipulating deep system files carries inherent risks. Using Time Machine or a third-party backup solution ensures you can revert to a stable state if an unexpected issue arises, providing peace of mind during system optimization.

Understand Each Option Before Execution

OnyX provides a vast array of options, many of which interact with fundamental macOS components. Avoid blindly checking boxes or running tasks without understanding their function. Take the time to read the descriptions provided within the application or consult online resources. Knowledge of what each setting or cleaning task accomplishes will prevent unintended system behaviors or the removal of essential files.

Grant Full Disk Access Promptly

For OnyX to perform its full range of maintenance and cleaning tasks effectively, it requires 'Full Disk Access' in macOS System Settings. Do not skip or delay this step. Without proper permissions, many of OnyX's core functions, such as deleting system caches or rebuilding critical databases, will be restricted, severely limiting its utility and impact on system performance.

Alternatives to OnyX

While OnyX offers a powerful and free solution, several other utilities provide similar or complementary functionalities, often with different approaches to user experience and pricing.

CleanMyMac X

CleanMyMac X is a popular premium alternative that offers a more user-friendly, visually appealing interface with a strong focus on automation and ease of use. It provides extensive cleaning, optimization, malware removal, and privacy protection features, often with clear visual indicators of space reclaimed. Unlike OnyX, it's a paid subscription service but appeals to users who prefer an 'all-in-one' solution with minimal technical fuss.

Cocktail

Developed by Maintain, Cocktail is very similar to OnyX in its functionality, offering a broad range of system maintenance, cleaning, and customization options for macOS. It also provides a clean interface to many UNIX functions and hidden settings. However, unlike OnyX's donationware model, Cocktail is a commercial application requiring a paid license (e.g., $19.99/year for a 2023 version, likely adjusted for 2026), making OnyX a more attractive option for budget-conscious users.

iBoysoft DiskGeeker

iBoysoft DiskGeeker is a comprehensive disk management tool that serves as a robust alternative. It excels in decluttering and improving system performance, similar to OnyX, but often with simpler steps and a more modern interface. Beyond cleaning, it offers advanced features like disk error checking, disk encryption, and the ability to read/write to BitLocker and NTFS drives. While powerful, it is a paid software, catering to users who need a broader set of disk utility features in a more streamlined package.

Pricing

Free

OnyX stands out in the macOS utility landscape as a completely free application. Developed and maintained by Joël Barrière, it is offered as 'donationware,' meaning users can download, use, and distribute it without any cost. There are no hidden fees, subscription tiers, or premium features locked behind a paywall. The developer solely relies on voluntary donations from satisfied users to support its ongoing development and updates for each new macOS version. This model makes OnyX an incredibly accessible and valuable tool for all Mac users, from casual to power users, without financial barriers.

Pros

✓Completely free to use, without any hidden costs, subscriptions, or feature limitations.
✓Offers an exceptionally comprehensive suite of maintenance, cleaning, and optimization tools.
✓Provides access to numerous hidden macOS parameters and UNIX utilities not available through standard System Settings.
✓A dedicated version is released for each major macOS, ensuring full compatibility and optimized performance.
✓Regularly updated and actively maintained by its developer, Joël Barrière (Titanium Software).
✓Features a clean, functional, and logical interface that organizes complex tasks effectively.
✓Capable of significantly improving Mac performance, stability, and reclaiming substantial disk space.
✓Guaranteed to be free of adware, spyware, or any other malicious background processes.

Cons

✗Not ideal for absolute beginners; some features require a basic understanding of macOS operations to avoid unintended consequences.
✗The sheer number of options and technical depth can be overwhelming or intimidating for novice users.
✗Lacks the polished, visually rich user interface and animated feedback often found in commercial alternatives.
✗Does not offer automated, scheduled maintenance tasks, requiring manual initiation for all operations.
✗Initial startup disk verification can cause a temporary system slowdown, which might be perceived as inconvenient.

Community & Support

OnyX is primarily a passion project of its sole developer, Joël Barrière of Titanium Software. Support mainly flows through the official Titanium Software website (titanium-software.fr), where users can find the latest versions, release notes, and contact information for the developer. While there isn't a dedicated official forum or extensive GitHub activity specific to the macOS utility, a strong community of loyal users discusses and shares tips on various Mac enthusiast forums and platforms. The documentation within the app is generally clear, and the developer is known for consistently updating OnyX for each new macOS release, reflecting a deep commitment to the product and its users.

Video Tutorials

Getting Started with OnyX

Jones IT26.7K views

How the OnyX App Works

Cyber-Seniors • 6.1K views

3 Mac Apps Apple Doesn’t Want You to Know!

Sillycorns • 583.7K views

Essential Mac Apps for 2026: Upgrade Your Workflow! #shorts

Renz Sadiwa • 1.3M views

Frequently Asked Questions about OnyX

Yes, OnyX is considered very safe to use on your Mac, provided you use the correct version for your macOS and understand the functions you're executing. It has been developed and actively maintained by Joël Barrière since 2003 and has a long-standing reputation for reliability. Titanium Software guarantees that OnyX contains no adware, spyware, or other malware and does not install any background processes. However, because it grants access to deep system functionalities, inexperienced users should exercise caution and ideally perform a system backup before running extensive operations. Always download from the official Titanium Software website to ensure you have an authentic and untampered version.

Our Verdict

4.5/5

Best for:Mac Power Users and EnthusiastsUsers Seeking Deep System CustomizationIndividuals Prioritizing Free Maintenance ToolsIT Support and System Administrators

About the Author

Jordan Kim

Productivity & Workflow Analyst

Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management

8+ years in operations management · PMP certified

Related Technologies & Concepts

OnyXmacOSTitanium SoftwareJoël BarrièreAppleUNIXmacOS Tahoe 26System Utilities

Sources & References

Fact-Checked

Last verified: Feb 15, 2026

1
macupdate.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
2
bestreviews.net
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
3
macworld.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
4
titanium-software.fr
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
5
filehorse.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
6
sourceforge.net
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
7
spotify.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
8
softonic.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
9
titanium-software.fr
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
10
macupdate.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026

Research queries: OnyX macOS review 2026; OnyX for Mac features; OnyX Titanium Software; OnyX installation guide macOS; OnyX pricing model

More System Utilities

Explore More on Bundl

All Apps Comparisons Free Alternatives Collections

Similar Apps