Although each diCleaner tool analyzes different information, most follow the same pattern: choose a tool, select a location or category, scan, review the result, and confirm an action.
Use the main sidebar
The main sidebar switches between Overview, Cleanup, Optimize, Privacy, Applications, and Files. Selecting a category changes the main dashboard; it does not start a scan or delete anything.
Tools can open in a focused panel. Use the back control in that panel to return to its category.
Use the module shortcut bar
The row of icons at the bottom of the main window opens favorite modules directly. Hover over an icon to identify it, select it to open the module, or drag it to change the saved order.
Add or remove a shortcut with the heart button in the lower-left corner of that module’s card. This changes only quick access; it does not enable, disable, install, or remove the module. See Customize the module shortcut bar for details.
Start from a category
Choose the category that matches your goal:
- Use Cleanup for supported caches, logs, Trash, attachments, and update data.
- Use Applications for installed apps, leftovers, updates, and installers.
- Use Files to understand personal storage.
- Use Optimize for supported startup and performance settings.
- Use Privacy for deliberate privacy-related actions.
If you only want to understand disk usage, begin with a Files tool. It is not necessary to remove anything after a scan.
Choose a scan location
Some tools use a predefined supported location. Others ask you to choose a folder or disk. A narrower location usually scans faster and produces a more focused result.
Keep external storage connected until the operation finishes. If macOS requests access, confirm that the requested folder matches the location you intended to scan.
Understand scan progress
Scanning can include enumerating folders, reading metadata, calculating file sizes, or comparing content. The time required depends on the number of files, the selected location, disk speed, permissions, and scan settings.
Avoid launching another scan of the same location while one is running. If you cancel, treat displayed totals as incomplete unless the tool clearly reports completion.
Review groups and individual items
Result groups summarize related findings. Expand a group to inspect individual items and use file paths, application names, dates, and sizes to determine what each result represents.
A selected checkbox means the item is included in the proposed action. It does not mean the item has already been changed.
Before continuing:
- Expand unfamiliar categories.
- Deselect personal files and shared application data you want to preserve.
- Open an item in Finder when its purpose is unclear.
- Check whether an application or update is currently using it.
- Verify the final selected size and item count.
Interpret size totals
Totals can differ from Finder or System Settings because the tools may count different scopes, handle linked files differently, or skip inaccessible locations. A scan is a point-in-time view; applications can create and remove caches while the Mac is running.
Do not use the largest number as the only basis for deletion.
Confirm an action
Actions that change data provide a review or confirmation step. Read the wording carefully: deleting a cache, uninstalling an app, changing a startup item, and securely removing a file have different consequences.
If an administrator or macOS permission dialog appears, approve it only if it matches the action you just initiated.
Check the result
After completion, review successful, skipped, or failed items. A failure can occur because a file is in use, the disk disconnected, permissions changed, or another process moved the item.
Run a new scan to see the current state. Repeatedly confirming the same stale result is less reliable than rescanning.
Stop when uncertain
Cancel or deselect an item whenever you cannot establish its purpose. Storage can be recovered later; deleted personal data or securely removed files may not be recoverable.