CleanMyMac X Frequently Asked Questions

Feel free to poke around — we’ve got answers for common questions about activation, license, compatibility, upgrades, and more.

• Why CleanMyMac X is better than CleanMyMac 3?

  CleanMyMac X moved much further in maintenance capabilities than its predecessor. For example, the new version includes:

  • Smart Scan that not only finds junk but also detects vulnerabilities and improves the efficiency of your Mac;
  • The upgraded Menu with multiple valuable instruments and instant features;
  • Malware Removal, which finds and neutralizes possible threats;
  • Optimization, which manages login items, hung and resource-consuming apps;
  • Updater, which monitors and delivers recent updates for your apps;
  • CleanMyMac X Assistant, which guides through all maintenance and cleanup processes, gives advice, and gladly helps you.

  Also, CleanMyMac X is incomparably faster than CleanMyMac 3 and has a cutting-edge modern look.

  Read What’s New to find out more.

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• How can I upgrade to CleanMyMac X?

  If you are a paid user of CleanMyMac 3, CleanMyMac 2, or CleanMyMac Classic, you can upgrade to the X version with a 50% discount. In general, you have three upgrade options:

  • - A one-time purchase CleanMyMac X at a 50% discount;
  • - Subscription to CleanMyMac X at a 50% discount (on the 1st year);
  • - Subscription to Setapp, which includes a full access to CleanMyMac X and its further upgrades.

  Find out how to upgrade to CleanMyMac X here.

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• Does CleanMyMac X have a free trial version?

  Yes, you can try CleanMyMac X for free, but its trial version has certain limitations. Find out more in this article.

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• Do you have a discount on CleanMyMac X?

  You can claim a discount if you’re:

  • An owner of any paid MacPaw product license;
  • A student or educator;
  • An Apple or FileMaker employee;
  • An owner of a coupon code.

  You can find the detailed info about coupons and discounts here.

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• What’s the difference between a one-time purchase, subscription, and Setapp subscription?

  With a one-time purchase, you need to pay once but this option includes only minor software updates. All major ones are paid. Meanwhile, CleanMyMac X and Setapp subscription users receive major and minor updates for free. Plus, Setapp users also get access to 100+ other useful apps for a Mac.

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• What’s the difference between CleanMyMac X from the App Store and the one from the developer’s website?

  Guidelines of Apple don’t allow some of CleanMyMac X features, so we had to remove them from the App Store version. The MacPaw Store and Setapp editions of CleanMyMac X don’t have such limits. You can find a detailed comparison of CleanMyMac X editions here.  

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• Is the subscription renewed automatically after the current one expires?

  Yes, the subscription is renewed automatically. If there are no funds available, the subscription is suspended, and CleanMyMac is switched to a trial mode. In this case, we’ll also send you a reminder in an email.

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• Can I pay for the subscription monthly instead of yearly?

  Yes, if you choose the Setapp subscription. For CleanMyMac X users, only an annual plan is available.

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• How do I change my subscription to a one-time purchase?

  You have to cancel your subscription (use our License Management system) and then buy a permanent license.

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• Can I buy CleanMyMac 3? Will it be supported?

  No, CleanMyMac 3 is no longer available for purchase, but we’ll continue technically supporting it for at least one year after the official release of macOS Mojave. Don’t worry, our Customer Support will gladly help you with any questions regarding CleanMyMac 3 even after this period.

  However, if you really need CleanMyMac 3, please contact our Support Team.

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• On how many devices can I use CleanMyMac X?

  You can buy any number of CleanMyMac X licenses (both one-time purchase and subscription) for 1 device (a single license), 2 devices (a double license), and 5 devices (a "family" pack). All these options are available at our store.

  If you need another purchase option, please contact Support.

  If you have the App Store version of CleanMyMac X, use it on all devices connected to your Apple ID account.

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• Why does my CleanMyMac X lack some features you’ve promoted on your website?

  The only explanation is that you have the App Store version of CleanMyMac X, which indeed doesn’t include all features described on our website. Unfortunately, Apple has strict application guidelines and doesn’t allow some of the CleanMyMac X features. 

  You can find explanations and the comparison of available CleanMyMac X versions here. If the App Store version is not your case, please contact us.

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• How can I move my CleanMyMac X license to another Mac?

  If you’d like to use your activated license of CleanMyMac X on another Mac, you need to cancel or reset your activation first. Then, you can install and activate CleanMyMac on your new computer. Detailed instructions are here.

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• Where can I find my activation number?

  After you purchase CleanMyMac, we send you an activation code in an email. If you don’t have it, use our License Management system. Find out how.

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• How do I upgrade to a multi-license?

  As a CleanMyMac user, you can get a license for 2, 5, or even more Macs at a 50% discount. The upgrade instructions are here.
  

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• Which libraries do you use for the Malware Removal module?

  The vulnerability database of the Malware Removal module is based on open source libraries, which we continuously update with our own entries. We are thoroughly working on creating an extensive malware database that will care about the security of your Mac. For now, CleanMyMac’s malware database is updated every week.

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• Is CleanMyMac X safe to use?

  CleanMyMac has a 10-year history of cleaning and maintaining Macs all over the world. This huge experience allowed us to create truly reliable and ever updated Safety Database that prevents wrong cleanup selections and keeps all user data safe. By default, CleanMyMac X offers to remove only automatically generated data related to system and app process. All of them are either unneeded, outdated, or can be restored easily.

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• Can I return my CleanMyMac X license and get the money back?

  Yes, you can. For more details, please refer to our Refund Policy. However, please let us know if there’s anything we can do for you before you go. We’d also ask you to share any feedback on CleanMyMac X with our Customer Support. Be sure, that'll help us improve CleanMyMac for you and other users.

  If you have the App Store version of CleanMyMac X, please refer to https://reportaproblem.apple.c.... 

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• How do I cancel my subscription?

  If you purchased CleanMyMac X from the MacPaw Store and now want to cancel your subscription, open the MacPaw Subscription Manager and log in with the email you used to pay for the subscription. Now, find the subscription you want to cancel and click Cancel Subscription. 

  We’re really sorry you’re leaving. Please give us a chance to make CleanMyMac a better application by dropping a message to our Customer Care Team. 

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• How do I renew my subscription?

  If you’ve cancelled your subscription earlier, and now want to get CleanMyMac X back, you simply need to buy a new license on MacPaw Store. 

  The point is, when you cancel the subscription, CleanMyMac X continues providing all of its features and updates till the end of the current subscription period (the one you’ve already paid for). So, when the paid period ends, you just buy a new license. 

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• How do I update my payment details?

  If you purchased CleanMyMac X from the MacPaw Store, go to the MacPaw Subscription Manager and log in to it with the email you used to pay for the subscription. When you’re in, click Update Payment Method, choose either Card or the PayPal option and enter your new payment information. 

  If you have the App Store version of CleanMyMac X, please follow these instructions: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201266.

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• Why was my card declined?

  If you get messages like “transaction declined” or “invalid payment method” while paying for the CleanMyMac subscription on the MacPaw Store, you should check your payment details.

  To do this, log in to the MacPaw Subscription Manager with the email you used to pay for the subscription. Then, click Update Payment Method, choose either Card or the PayPal option and review all your payment information (including a credit card number, its expiration date, CVV, etc.). Also, you can try another payment method or another credit card. 

  If you still get some error, please contact CleanMyMac’s Customer Care Team.

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• Why was my card charged incorrectly?

  Usually, it happens if the currency of the subscription fee differs from the currency of your card. In this case, a conversion rate may affect the amount of your payment. Also, some banks additionally charge a currency conversion fee so you should check this scenario too. 

  If you’re sure that your case has nothing to do with the conversion issue, please contact our Customer Care Team.

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• What’s MacPaw Account?

  A MacPaw account is a new way of activating and managing apps from the MacPaw Store. For now, it’s available only to the most recent CleanMyMac customers. You can find out more about it here.

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• How can I get my MacPaw account?

  Now, the only way to get a MacPaw account is to purchase a new license of CleanMyMac X in the MacPaw Store. Unfortunately, we can’t connect current users of CleanMyMac X at this moment, but we’re working on it.

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• What macOS versions does СleanMyMac X support?

  CleanMyMac X works on macOS 10.10 and higher.

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• Why are Photo Junk and iTunes Junk modules absent on macOS Catalina?

  macOS Catalina 10.15 got numerous upgrades and improvements. In particular, iTunes was replaced with three new applications, so there’s no need in CleanMyMac’s iTunes Junk anymore. Photos has also gone through major changes which make CleanMyMac’s Photo Junk unnecessary. But there’s still lots of work to do for CleanMyMac: clean, protect, get your Mac into shape, put files to rights, and much more.

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• How do I go back from a Beta version to the latest CleanMyMac X?

  The easiest way is to use the self-uninstallation of CleanMyMac X Beta and then get the latest live version. Do the following:
  

  1. Open your CleanMyMac X and go to the Uninstaller module.
  2. Find and select CleanMyMac X from the list, click Uninstall, and follow the prompts.
  3. Download and install the latest official version.
  

  Now, activate CleanMyMac using your license details.

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• How often should I run cleanup scans with CleanMyMac?

  Although the answer depends on how intensively do you use your Mac, these are the universal recommendations:

  • Run Smart Scan every week
  • Run Malware Removal and Privacy scans at least once a month
  • Run scans when you need to solve particular problems
  • Use CleanMyMac Menu daily for real-time monitoring and everyday utilities

  See the recommendations in details in this article.

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