The App Store version of CleanMyMac X slightly differs from the versions you'll find on other marketplaces. This means some features described below may not be available from the App Store due to its guidelines. Read more about different versions of CleanMyMac X.
Distinguishing unneeded data from precious personal files is a delicate process that leaves no place for assumptions. That's why CleanMyMac includes smart algorithms and sophisticated features, and on top of that all—a comprehensive Safety Database, which prevents cleaning incidents.
What is Safety Database?
Safety Database is CleanMyMac's extensive remove-or-keep reference book. Our engineers have been collecting, revising, and updating it since 2008, when the first CleanMyMac version was released. So, the database aggregates more than 14 years of experience in cleaning and maintaining Macs of 5 million users worldwide.
Safety Database includes an enormous list of cleaning rules, exceptions, and app-specific instructions. CleanMyMac addresses this database every time it scans your Mac to ensure that removal of selected data is safe for both the system and personal data.
Respecting system data and built-in apps
Safety Database prohibits removal of essential system files and applications by adding their locations to an ignore list. For example, CleanMyMac won't go to /Library or /System/Library. Even if you unintentionally drop some critical system folder or the Documents folder to Shredder (not available from the App Store), CleanMyMac won't let you remove it.
Providing compatibility with third-party apps
The database describes interaction with different app versions, which is mostly used in Photo Junk, Privacy, and Uninstaller modules. For example, Safety Database doesn't allow Photo Junk (not available from the App Store) to scan and clean those versions of the Photos app that aren't verified for compatibility.
Taking care of sensitive data
Usually, cache memory includes temporary files that can be restored automatically whenever they're needed. But there are rare exceptions when applications store their sensitive data, like licenses or configuration files, in cache-specific locations. A good illustration is Spotify, which keeps its local music library among cache files. CleanMyMac respects these unique cases and adds related entries to its Safety Database. It means, in particular, that you can safely remove Spotify's temporary data and continue listening to your favorite playlist offline.
Granting proper cache cleanup
Some apps require quitting all their processes to delete numerous cache files smoothly. For example, Safari, Google Chrome, Skype, Electron-based apps, apps created by JetBrains, and so on. Safety Database has a list of such apps and gives CleanMyMac instructions to stop them with your consent and bring back after cleanup.
Uninstalling apps correctly
When you install an application, its components may be distributed and hidden far beyond the Applications folder. That's why Uninstaller refers to Safety Database when you command to get rid of an app. The database knows possible app-specific and uncommon locations, so CleanMyMac uninstalls the app along with all of its configuration files, daemons, and other "secret" data.
Keeping track of recent updates
Our engineers update Safety Database regularly to ensure CleanMyMac's compatibility with all recent macOS updates and newly launched apps. Moreover, the Support Team pays particular attention to users' feedback and turns it into new rules when it's reasonable. So if you have any questions or considerations on this regard, please contact us.
Hopefully, this article gave you more confidence in CleanMyMac's safety, but if you want some more info go here.
