Chapter 1: Introduction to CleanMyMac X

My experience with CleanMyMac X began about a month ago when I found myself in dire need of extra storage on my 2015 MacBook Pro. After five years of use, I had accumulated a substantial amount of files and applications. With numerous games, photos, academic projects, and an extensive programming endeavor, my storage was completely maxed out.

For a long time, I had hesitated to invest in a storage solution, putting up with the relentless notifications from my laptop about low storage. Despite upgrading to a 50 GB iCloud plan for just 99 cents a month, the problem persisted.

If you own a 128 GB Mac, did you also opt for an iCloud upgrade or look for a cleaner? Share your experiences in the comments!

I was also in the process of upgrading XCode for a programming project, which required more storage than I had available. After extensive research, I realized I needed a staggering 50 GB of free space to proceed. It became clear that I had to try CleanMyMac X.

Chapter 2: Effectiveness of CleanMyMac X

Effectiveness Score: 8/10

After exploring all the features of the app, I managed to free up approximately 30 GB of space. Given that my storage was completely full, I believe many users could achieve similar results, though this may vary based on how much digital content you keep.

However, this increase in space wasn’t enough for me to update XCode, so I ultimately ended up purchasing a brand-new laptop. Now, I enjoy using the stunning 2020 Rose Gold M1 MacBook Air!

Chapter 3: User Interface and Experience

UI / UX Score: 10/10

The user interface is visually appealing and aligns beautifully with Apple's design principles. As a web developer, I truly appreciate the smooth animations and attention to detail. The app is transparent about its operations and provides ongoing feedback on its progress.

Navigating through the app is straightforward; most features require just a click of a button, and CleanMyMac does the rest.

Chapter 4: Key Features

Features Score: 8/10

The most beneficial feature for me was Space Lens, which scanned my home directory and visually represented which files occupied the most space. Below is an example screenshot from my new laptop, which is still quite empty:

The second feature I found helpful was Smart Scan. With just one click, the app identified around 5 GB of unnecessary clutter that was safe to remove. The app confirms what it will delete beforehand, which I found reassuring.

The Uninstaller was another useful tool, allowing me to sort my applications by size and making it easy to remove unwanted software. Most of the other features were intuitive, which I appreciated.

In terms of cleanup, the automatic scans and Space Lens were equally effective, identifying around half of the clutter I needed to clear. However, be cautious with Space Lens, as deleting certain system files may lead to serious issues. I learned this the hard way when a 2 GB photo file I removed rendered my Photos app unusable.

Chapter 5: Pricing Evaluation

Pricing Score: 6/10

I found the one-time purchase reasonable, but the annual subscription felt a bit misleading. My advice is to purchase the yearly plan and then cancel it immediately to avoid auto-renewal, as most users will likely use the app just once to clean up their system.

That was my experience with CleanMyMac on my MacBook Pro. I did reinstall it on my new MacBook Air, just in case I find it useful again.

Chapter 6: Overall Impressions

Overall Score: 9/10

In summary, I found CleanMyMac X to be incredibly helpful. Although you may only use it once, it can work wonders for older Macs or cluttered systems.

I want to clarify that I am not sponsored by CleanMyMac, and I gain nothing from your decision to use it. I’d love to hear your experiences with this app or if you plan to try it—let me know in the comments!

In Closing

Reflecting on my experience, I realized that my 128 GB laptop was not a sustainable storage solution long-term. It served me well throughout high school, and I have no regrets. Now that I own a 256 GB MacBook Air and have a more practical approach to storage, I doubt I’ll need a cleaning app in the future.

Thank you for reading! If you found this useful, consider giving me a +50 to help me out with the Medium algorithm!

Check out my other Mac-related articles:

• My Top 3 macOS Menu Bar Apps
• How to Make Your macOS Terminal Look as Awesome as Mine in 2021

Chapter 7: Video Reviews

In addition to this written review, you might find these video reviews insightful:

The first video reviews the iPhone 15 Pro Max after six months of usage, discussing its performance and features.

The second video provides a comprehensive look at the iPhone 15 Pro Max's camera, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses.