Does appearing in Files mean an item is junk?
No. File tools identify size, age, similarity, location, or content relationships. You decide whether the file is needed.
Why is an old file still important?
Archives, records, templates, and family media can remain valuable without recent modification.
Are similar photos duplicates?
Not necessarily. They can differ in focus, expression, crop, edit, resolution, or metadata.
Why are duplicate totals larger than recovered space?
Logical sizes, links, clones, file-system allocation, and preserved copies affect recovery.
Can I scan an external drive?
Yes, when the tool and macOS can access it. Keep it mounted and unlocked.
Why is a cloud file missing?
Its full content may be online only. Download it through the provider and rescan.
Why does Finder show another folder size?
Scope, permissions, packages, purgeable storage, snapshots, and timing can differ.
Should I lower every threshold?
No. Low thresholds increase scan time and result volume while often finding little recoverable space.
Can deleted synchronized files disappear from other devices?
Yes. Use the provider’s remove-download command when you want to retain the cloud copy.