Find Empty Folders
Find Empty Folders is a free macOS utility that scans selected locations and lists folders that are empty, including ones that contain only .DS_Store files.
What is Find Empty Folders?
Find Empty Folders is a native macOS utility for locating folders that do not contain any real files. It helps users clean up drives, project directories, and other storage locations by finding folders that are truly empty or only hold invisible .DS_Store files that often prevent ordinary empty-folder searches from catching them. You use it by dropping a disk or folder onto the app, after which it scans recursively and shows the matching folders in a results list. From there, you can reveal the folders in Finder or move them to the Trash. The app is published by Thomas Tempelmann and is offered as a free utility for macOS, including modern Apple silicon and Intel systems.
Key features
- Scan a disk or folder recursively for empty folders
- Treat folders containing only .DS_Store files as empty
- List matching folders in a simple results view
- Reveal found folders in Finder
- Move selected empty folders to the Trash
Review app leftovers with diCleaner
Inspect caches, support files, containers, and login items before cleaning.
Safety overview
Status: Safe
This is a straightforward file-management utility for macOS. It needs access to the folders or disks you ask it to scan, which is normal for an app whose job is to inspect directory contents. The main practical risk is accidental cleanup of folders you meant to keep, so review the results before sending anything to the Trash.
Recommendation: Keep it if you use it to tidy project folders, external drives, or large file collections. If you no longer use it, you can remove it without affecting macOS beyond losing this cleanup tool.
Common paths
/Applications/Find Empty Folders.app
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