Clean DesktopFrequently asked questions
Short answers about what Clean Desktop does to the files on your Mac desktop.
Where do my files go when Clean Desktop cleans my desktop?
They move into an archive folder you choose, inside a folder named for the month the file was created, such as 2026-03 March. The default archive folder is Documents › Desktop Archive, and you can change it to any folder on your Mac. You can group by day instead of month if you prefer.
Does Clean Desktop delete any files?
No. Clean Desktop only moves files. If a file with the same name already exists in the destination, the incoming file is renamed with a number, for example report 2.pdf, rather than overwriting what is already there. The only thing it ever removes is a month folder left empty after an undo, and that goes to the Trash.
Can I undo a clean?
Yes. Undo last clean puts every file back where it came from. If something new is sitting there under the same name, the returning file is numbered rather than overwriting it. The emptied month folder goes to the Trash. The last 60 cleans are kept in the history list, so you can see exactly what moved and when.
How do I stop Clean Desktop moving a particular file?
Give the file any Finder tag. Right-click it, pick a colour, and Clean Desktop will leave it on the desktop until you remove the tag. Colour dots and named tags both work. There is no exclusion list to maintain, and the marker is visible on the file itself.
Does Clean Desktop work with iCloud Desktop sync?
Yes. With Desktop & Documents Folders turned on in iCloud Drive, moving a file from the Desktop into a folder in Documents happens within iCloud and syncs normally.
Is Clean Desktop really free?
Yes. Clean Desktop is free on every Mac you use, with every feature working. There is no trial, no licence key and no paid version waiting behind it. It is made by Dave Poortvliet, an independent developer who built it for his own desktop and shares it with anyone who wants it. Tips are appreciated but optional.
How can I support Clean Desktop?
Leave a tip at cleanmacdesktop.com/tip, or choose Leave a Tip in the Clean Desktop menu bar popover. Tips go through Ko-fi. They are optional and unlock nothing.
Does Clean Desktop collect any data about me?
No. There is no analytics, no account, and no telemetry. The app contacts the internet for one thing only: checking whether a newer version exists. See the privacy page.
What are the system requirements for Clean Desktop?
macOS 14.0 or later, on Apple silicon or Intel. The download is 1.3 MB. The app is signed with a Developer ID certificate and notarized by Apple, so it opens without a Gatekeeper warning.
Does Clean Desktop move folders as well as files?
Yes, by default, and their contents move with them. You can turn folder moving off in Settings if you want folders left where they are.
Is Clean Desktop on the Mac App Store?
No. Reaching your Desktop folder and an archive folder anywhere on your Mac is far simpler outside the App Store sandbox, so Clean Desktop is distributed directly from this site. It is notarized by Apple, which is the same security check App Store apps go through.