Pearcleaner
Utility to uninstall apps and remove leftover files
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask pearcleaner
Pearcleaner — Official Website
Quick Take: Pearcleaner
Use Pearcleaner today if you want free leftover cleanup with App Lipo, a Homebrew GUI, Sentinel, Undo-to-Trash, and related utilities in a native Swift app. The tradeoff is blunt: the project is ON HOLD, the latest tag is still v5.4.3 from November 2025, and active development paused after the developer lost personal Mac access. The 3.9/5 rating reflects excellent present-day utility tempered by maintenance risk. Run it confidently on current macOS 13-26 machines, review deletions carefully, and keep AppCleaner or another alternative ready if a future OS break arrives before development resumes.
Best For
- •Users who want free, thorough leftover removal right now
- •Developers who benefit from the Homebrew manager and CLI hooks
- •Apple Silicon users reclaiming space with App Lipo and translation pruning
- •Privacy-minded users who prefer source-available cleaners
- •Anyone willing to accept on-hold maintenance risk for zero cost
What is Pearcleaner?
Project status: ON HOLD. Pearcleaner is a free, source-available, fair-code macOS uninstaller and system cleaner by developer alienator88 (Alin Lupascu). Active development stopped at the end of 2025 after a job change left the developer without a Mac for personal work. The app still works; the latest release is v5.4.3 (November 26, 2025). It supports macOS 13 Ventura through macOS 26 Tahoe on Apple Silicon and Intel. Pearcleaner was built to go beyond drag-to-Trash removal. Modern Mac apps scatter caches, preferences, containers, launch agents, and support files across Library folders. Pearcleaner finds those leftovers, surfaces orphaned files from apps already gone, and adds power-user tools that simple uninstallers skip: App Lipo for stripping unused architectures, Launch Agent management, a Homebrew manager GUI, Sentinel Monitor for Trash-watching cleanup prompts, Undo-to-Trash safety, and an updater view for App Store and Sparkle apps. Inspiration comes from Freemacsoft AppCleaner and privacy-minded cleanup guides, but Pearcleaner grew into a broader maintenance toolkit written in Swift/SwiftUI. It remains one of the strongest free options for thorough uninstalls on Mac. Plan for maintenance risk while the project is on hold. Community pull requests are still welcomed when the developer has time; day-to-day evolution is paused. For August 2026 Mac setups, treat Pearcleaner as a capable but frozen toolkit. Install via Homebrew cask, grant Full Disk Access, and keep FreeMacSoft AppCleaner installed as a fallback. The on-hold notice is not a soft deprecation of the binary. v5.4.3 still uninstalls thoroughly, but it is a hard warning about future Tahoe point releases and whatever follows. If a system update breaks scanning, expect community pull requests rather than a rapid developer hotfix. Privacy-conscious users still prefer Pearcleaner because the code is inspectable and deletes go through Trash with undo instead of opaque paid cleaners.
Pearcleaner under the hood
Pearcleaner is a free, source-available macOS uninstaller that removes applications and associated Library files more thoroughly than drag-to-Trash. It pairs classic leftover cleanup with developer-oriented utilities. Homebrew management, architecture stripping, launch-item control, and optional Trash monitoring. It currently sits in an on-hold maintenance state after v5.4.3.
History & Background
Pearcleaner began as a learning project for alienator88 (Alin Lupascu) to understand macOS install/uninstall paths and build Swift skills, inspired by Freemacsoft AppCleaner and privacy cleanup guidance. It expanded from a simple uninstaller into a multi-tool maintenance app with Homebrew integration, App Lipo, Sentinel, updater views, CLI/deep links, and more. Through 2025 the project shipped frequent improvements culminating in v5.4.3 on November 26, 2025 (UI hide-unused pages, updater progress, pinyin sorting, MAS update warnings, and assorted fixes). After a job change removed personal Mac access, active development stopped and the project entered ON HOLD status. The app is still distributed and used, but there is no regular release schedule.
How It Works
Built natively in Swift/SwiftUI as a universal binary for Apple Silicon and Intel. It scans common user and system Library locations for caches, preferences, containers, launch agents, and support files. Sentinel is an optional tiny helper watching Trash and signaling the main app rather than a heavy always-on daemon. Full Disk Access (and sometimes Accessibility) is required for thorough scans. Delete paths emphasize UndoManager/Trash over raw rm for recoverability. Privileged helper support covers system-level paths when needed.
Ecosystem & Integrations
Distribution spans GitHub Releases, pearcleaner.com, itsalin.com app info, and the Homebrew cask. The in-app Homebrew manager bridges GUI users and brew packages. Finder extension and CLI/deep links fit automation with Alfred, Raycast, or scripts. Feature neighbors include translation pruning, PKG views, plugin/services cleanup, and a developer environment cleaner for Xcode-derived waste. Competing ecosystem tools include AppCleaner, CleanMyMac, TrashMe, and other AppCleaner-like leftovers removers.
Future Development
There is no public active roadmap while the project is ON HOLD. The practical path forward is community pull requests on GitHub for bug fixes and OS compatibility, reviewed if/when the developer has capacity. Users should track the releases page for any unexpected tags, treat v5.4.3 as the current ceiling, and plan contingency uninstallers. Resumption would likely focus on macOS compatibility, permission flows, and backlog issues rather than brand-new product lines.
Key Features
Thorough App Uninstallation
Select an app from the list or drag a .app onto Pearcleaner to see associated caches, preferences, logs, containers, plugins, and support files before removal. Everything moves to Trash in one pass instead of leaving Library clutter behind. You can deselect individual paths for full transparency (no black-box cleanup).
Orphaned File Detection
Scan for leftovers from apps that were previously removed incompletely. Orphaned caches, preferences, and support data can reclaim meaningful disk space on machines that have churned through many installers over months or years.
App Lipo Processing (Architecture Stripping)
Universal apps ship Intel and Apple Silicon slices. App Lipo strips the architecture your Mac does not need, shrinking bundles without Xcode or command-line lipo. Especially useful on smaller SSDs and creative machines packed with large universal binaries.
Launch Agent and Daemon Management
Inspect Launch Agents and Daemons that start at login or on demand. Enable or disable entries to tame startup load, spot helpers left by old software, and regain control over background processes that drag on battery and CPU.
Integrated Homebrew Manager
Search, install, update, and uninstall Homebrew formulae and casks from a native GUI. Maintenance helpers such as brew doctor and cache cleanup reduce trips to Terminal for common package hygiene tasks.
Sentinel Monitor (Trash Watcher)
Optional lightweight background helper (roughly 2 MB RAM) watches Trash. When an app bundle is moved there by any method, Sentinel prompts Pearcleaner to clean associated leftovers, ideal if you still drag apps to Trash by habit.
Undo Manager and Updater View
Deletes go through Trash first (not permanent rm), with undo history for recent operations while items remain in Trash. The updater view lists App Store and Sparkle-updatable apps with progress when updating many packages at once. Useful even while core development is on hold.
CLI, Finder Extension, and Extra Utilities
CLI and deep-link automation support scripted uninstalls. A Finder extension enables right-click cleanup. Additional tools include translation pruning, PKG management, plugin/services cleanup, and a developer environment manager for Xcode-derived clutter.
Translation Files and Language Pack Pruning
Many Mac apps ship dozens of localization bundles you never use. Pearcleaner can surface unused language resources so you reclaim space without deleting the application itself. Combined with App Lipo, this is a practical storage reclaim workflow for creative suites and large Electron apps on smaller SSDs.
Privacy-Oriented Leftover Hygiene
Beyond disk space, leftovers often hold tokens, caches, and preference files from apps you thought were gone. Orphaned file scans help reduce that residue. Source-available licensing lets security-minded users verify what the cleaner touches: an important contrast with closed commercial cleaners that request broad permissions.
Who Should Use Pearcleaner?
1The Dedicated Developer
A macOS developer installs and removes SDKs, CLI tools, and test apps through Homebrew and DMGs. They use Pearcleaner's Homebrew manager for graphical package hygiene, orphaned-file scans after abandoned experiments, App Lipo when disk space is tight on a travel MacBook, and Launch Agent review after uninstalling helper-heavy IDEs. With the project on hold they still rely on the existing feature set, keeping a note that future macOS-breaking changes may need community PRs or an alternative.
2The Storage-Conscious Creative
A designer or editor on a 256-512 GB machine fights leftover Creative Cloud helpers, trial apps, and language packs. After finishing a project they fully uninstall outdated tools, prune unused translations, strip Intel slices from universal apps on Apple Silicon, and reclaim gigabytes of orphaned support files that drag-to-Trash never touches.
3The Privacy-Minded Power User
A privacy-focused user wants auditable cleanup. Pearcleaner's source-available model lets them inspect behavior on GitHub. They enable Sentinel so manual Trash deletions still trigger leftover review, audit Launch Agents for telemetry helpers, and prefer Undo-to-Trash over permanent deletion. They accept on-hold maintenance risk in exchange for transparency and zero cost.
4The Homelab Mac Mini Admin
A Mac mini used as an always-on media and automation box accumulates failed experiments: Docker Desktop leftovers, abandoned Electron apps, and Homebrew casks that were replaced. The admin runs Pearcleaner monthly to uninstall abandoned tools, strip unused architectures from large universal binaries, and clear orphaned Application Support folders. Sentinel Monitor catches drag-to-Trash removals between scheduled cleanups. With the project on hold, they pin the GitHub release tag and keep AppCleaner as a secondary tool if a future macOS update changes permission models.
How to Install Pearcleaner on Mac
Install Pearcleaner with Homebrew (recommended for version tracking) or download the DMG/ZIP from GitHub Releases. Latest stable build remains v5.4.3 while the project is on hold.
Install Homebrew if needed
Open Terminal and install Homebrew from the official install script at brew.sh if you do not already have it. Follow on-screen prompts to finish setup.
Install Pearcleaner via Homebrew Cask
Run brew install --cask pearcleaner. Homebrew installs the current published cask (v5.4.3 lineage) into Applications. Alternatively download Pearcleaner.dmg or architecture-specific ZIPs from the GitHub releases page.
Grant Full Disk Access and related permissions
On first launch, grant Full Disk Access (and Accessibility if prompted) in System Settings so Pearcleaner can scan Library locations and perform clean uninstalls safely.
Launch and configure safety preferences
Open Pearcleaner from Applications. Review search sensitivity (prefer Strict until you trust Deep/Enhanced), optionally enable Sentinel Monitor, and confirm deletes route to Trash via the Undo Manager.
Pro Tips
- • While development is on hold,
brew upgrade --cask pearcleanerwill only move you forward if a new cask version is published. Do not expect frequent bumps. - • Enable Sentinel Monitor if you often drag apps to Trash manually and still want leftover cleanup prompts.
- • Keep a secondary uninstaller (for example AppCleaner) as a backup plan if a future macOS release breaks Pearcleaner before development resumes.
Configuration Tips
Prefer Strict search sensitivity until you trust the results
Strict mode is the safest default. Deep and Enhanced can surface more leftovers but also unrelated files. Always review the file list before confirming, especially on shared Library folders used by multiple apps in a suite.
Use Homebrew integration for cask and formula hygiene
If you live in Homebrew, manage installs, upgrades, doctor checks, and caches inside Pearcleaner to keep Terminal trips low. Pair with occasional brew cleanup awareness so GUI and CLI state stay aligned.
Lean on Undo Manager and Trash retention
Do not empty Trash immediately after a large cleanup. Pearcleaner's undo history (recent delete operations while items remain in Trash) is your recovery path if you removed a shared preference or helper you still needed.
Plan for on-hold maintenance
Pin the GitHub releases page and brew cask version. If a new macOS point release breaks scanning or permissions, fall back to AppCleaner or manual Library cleanup until a PR or new tag appears.
Alternatives to Pearcleaner
Pearcleaner remains a strong free uninstaller, but on-hold status makes alternatives worth knowing. AppCleaner-like tools, commercial suites, and other leftover removers cover similar jobs with different maintenance profiles.
AppCleaner (FreeMacSoft)
AppCleaner is the classic simple drag-and-drop uninstaller with SmartDelete when apps hit Trash. It lacks Pearcleaner's Homebrew manager, App Lipo, and broader utility suite, but it is still actively used and easier for basic leftover cleanup. Keep it as a lightweight backup while Pearcleaner is on hold.
CleanMyMac
CleanMyMac is a paid all-in-one suite (junk cleaning, malware helpers, performance tools, uninstaller). It costs money and is less transparent than source-available Pearcleaner, but it ships continuous updates and broader maintenance modules. Choose CleanMyMac if you want vendor-backed updates more than free deep uninstall tooling.
TrashMe and other Pearcleaner alternatives
TrashMe and similar AppCleaner-like utilities focus on leftover discovery with polished UIs, often as paid apps. They may ship more frequent updates than an on-hold open project. Pearcleaner still wins on price and feature breadth (Homebrew, Lipo, Sentinel) for users who accept maintenance risk.
Pricing
Pearcleaner is completely free for personal use with no subscriptions, freemium gates, or pro tiers. It is source-available and fair-code licensed (commonly described as Apache 2.0 with Commons Clause on the project site), so you can inspect the code on GitHub while redistribution for commercial productization of the app itself is restricted. There is no paid support channel. Help is community and GitHub issues only. Cost is zero dollars; the real tradeoff while the project is on hold is maintenance and future macOS compatibility risk, not price.
Pros
- ✓Completely free and source-available with transparent cleanup behavior and no subscription upsell.
- ✓Thorough leftover removal that beats drag-to-Trash and goes deeper than many simple uninstallers.
- ✓Undo-to-Trash safety net reduces permanent-delete risk during aggressive cleanups.
- ✓Power features still work in v5.4.3: App Lipo, Homebrew manager, Launch Agents, Sentinel, updater view, CLI.
- ✓Native Swift/SwiftUI app with a light Sentinel footprint (~2 MB RAM) and universal binary support.
- ✓Supports macOS 13 Ventura through macOS 26 Tahoe on Apple Silicon and Intel.
Cons
- ✗ON HOLD: no active feature development since the November 2025 v5.4.3 release; future macOS compatibility depends on community pull requests or a developer return.
- ✗Latest release is still v5.4.3 (Nov 26, 2025). Expect bug fixes and new OS features to lag.
- ✗No true one-click bulk uninstall; reviewing files per app can be slow when removing many packages.
- ✗Deep/Enhanced search sensitivity can flag unrelated paths and needs careful manual review.
- ✗No commercial support SLA, issues live on GitHub, with uncertain response times while the project is paused.
Community & Support
Pearcleaner's hub is the GitHub repository alienator88/Pearcleaner: source, issues, discussions, pull requests. The developer has stated that personal Mac development time ended with a job change, putting the project on hold after v5.4.3. Pull requests may still be reviewed when time allows, but users should not expect rapid issue turnaround. Documentation and app info also appear on pearcleaner.com and itsalin.com. Homebrew Cask provides the common install path. There is no paid support desk; community reports and PRs are the maintenance path while status remains on hold. Mac forums and Reddit threads still recommend Pearcleaner for leftover cleanup, usually with a caveat about the on-hold banner. That mixed signal is accurate: capability remains high, roadmap certainty does not. Watch the GitHub commits page for signs of revival before assuming future OS support.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started with Pearcleaner
More Tutorials
Found the best uninstaller for MAC!
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How to Uninstall Pearcleaner for macOS Completely
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pearcleaner
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Expert Tips for Pearcleaner
Say ON HOLD out loud in any recommendation: v5.4.3 still delivers excellent leftover cleanup, but the value proposition shifted from 'actively evolving free tool' to 'best free toolkit that may freeze on a future OS.' Pair it with AppCleaner as escape hatch.
Hands-on feature value that still justifies install today: Homebrew GUI + App Lipo + Sentinel is a combination AppCleaner does not match. If those three matter, Pearcleaner remains worth the maintenance caveat.
Official distribution truth is simple. GitHub releases, pearcleaner.com, itsalin app info, and the Homebrew cask. Ignore sketchy mirrors; fair-code licensing and permission prompts already require user trust.
Homebrew cask users should run brew info --cask pearcleaner after major macOS updates; if the app fails to scan Library paths, re-grant Full Disk Access before assuming the binary is broken.
Related Technologies & Concepts
Related Topics
Mac Utilities
App cleanup, leftover removal, and system maintenance tools for macOS.
Homebrew Ecosystem
GUI and CLI tools that manage Homebrew formulae and casks on Mac.
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Aug 9, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- Latest Pearcleaner release is v5.4.3, published November 26, 2025 on GitHub Releases.[cite-pc-543, cite-pc-releases]
- Pearcleaner installs via Homebrew as
brew install --cask pearcleanerand requires macOS 13 or newer.[cite-pc-brew] - Pearcleaner is a free, source-available, fair-code Mac app cleaner by alienator88, with project site documenting features such as deep uninstall, orphaned file search, Homebrew manager, App Lipo, and Sentinel.[cite-pc-github, cite-pc-site, cite-pc-alin]
- AppCleaner by FreeMacSoft is a long-standing free Mac uninstaller that inspired Pearcleaner's category and remains a common alternative.[cite-pc-appcleaner]
- 1alienator88/Pearcleaner on GitHub
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 2Pearcleaner Releases
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 3Pearcleaner v5.4.3 Release
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 4Pearcleaner Official Site
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 5Pearcleaner App Info, itsalin.com
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 6Homebrew Cask: pearcleaner
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 7AppCleaner by FreeMacSoft
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Research queries: Pearcleaner Mac on hold alienator88 2025; Pearcleaner 5.4.3 release November 2025; Pearcleaner Homebrew cask macOS 13 Ventura Tahoe; Pearcleaner vs AppCleaner CleanMyMac TrashMe; Pearcleaner Sentinel Monitor App Lipo Homebrew manager