installed clean my mac but never used it/ how to best uninstall?

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installed clean my mac but never used it/ how to best uninstall?

I am having issues with Macbook Pro 2021 after tahoe install. also immediatley after that install i got a message in battery health saying i needed to service my battery. my battery has been working absolutley fine. not sure if this was a coincidence that it happened the same time as the install or not. regardless in doing a search abt problems after tahoe install, i found a recommendation to install clean my mac. i downloaded it but did not end up running it. I initiated the first step of the process and when the first question it asked was could it have access to my whole disk , I became wary so I immediatley stopped and came to apple forums (should have done this in the first place). anyway, is the damage done even if I never ran the software and just installed it. what is the best way to get rid of it now? thanks.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.0

Posted on Nov 8, 2025 10:21 AM

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Answer 1

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D.I. Johnson

Level 7

32,207 points

Nov 8, 2025 11:08 AM in response to Emily Ray

Yes, that is correct. It is very possible that uninstalling CMM, even using the publisher's guidance, will leave remnants.

There is an app called Find Any File, also available in the App Store, that you can use to track down and delete these remnants. Use FAF to search for and locate any files that have "macpaw" or "cleanmymac" their filenames or metadata. Move those files to the trash, empty the trash and restart the Mac at your convenience.

It goes without saying - but I'm still gonna say it - you should make sure you have a Time Machine or other backup copy of your data handy before using apps such as FAF. Just in case.

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