Scratch 3

What is Scratch 3?

Scratch 3 is a visual programming app that helps children, students, and beginners learn coding by building projects with drag-and-drop blocks instead of typing syntax-heavy code. It is used to create interactive stories, games, animations, and simple simulations, making it a common choice for classrooms, clubs, and at-home learning. On Mac, the desktop app lets users work on projects offline and save or open Scratch project files on their computer. The interface focuses on assembling code blocks, adding sprites and backdrops, and combining motion, sound, events, and logic to make projects behave interactively. Scratch was created by the MIT Media Lab and is now managed by the Scratch Foundation. It is best suited to introductory programming, creative computing, and project-based learning rather than professional software development.

Key features

• Build programs by snapping together visual coding blocks
• Create interactive stories, games, and animations
• Add sprites, costumes, backdrops, sounds, and music to projects
• Open, edit, and save Scratch project files on your Mac
• Use motion, events, variables, and logic to control behavior
• Work offline in the desktop app for classroom or home use

Safety overview

Status: Safe

Scratch 3 is legitimate educational software for creative coding and offline project work. It normally needs access only to the files you choose to open or save, and any microphone or camera access would be tied to project features you actively use. Removing it will not harm macOS, but you may lose convenient access to local Scratch projects unless those files are kept elsewhere.

Recommendation: Keep Scratch 3 if you use it for learning, teaching, or creating projects on your Mac. Remove it if you no longer need the app, but keep any .sb3 project files you want to continue using later.

Common paths

• /Applications/Scratch.app

Related apps

• Scratch Link

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