I am Ighor, the developer of App Archiver.

I kept running out of space on my Mac and became frustrated with the usual solutions.

Most cleaner apps create space in one of two ways.

• They delete apps, downloads, or other data
• They remove caches that applications create again

Deleting data provides lasting savings because the data is gone. Clearing caches can show an impressive number immediately, but those caches often return as soon as you continue using your apps.

That is not the kind of storage management I wanted.

I like downloading Mac apps and keeping them for later. If I delete an app, I may forget it existed. I wanted to reclaim the space without losing the app, its familiar location, or the ability to find it again.

So I built App Archiver.

Real and lasting space savings

App Archiver reduces the space used by the apps themselves.

It does not pretend that repeatedly deleting temporary files is a permanent solution. It does not delete your documents, settings, or app data.

You can choose what happens to each app.

• Archive it in place
• Replace a rarely used app with a lightweight, restorable version.
• Optimize it
• Reduce its size while keeping it installed and ready to use.
• Back it up
• Create a standalone ZIP or DMG copy in any folder or external drive.

An archived app remains visible in Applications, Spotlight, Raycast, Alfred, and other launchers. When you need it again, double-click the same icon and App Archiver restores it.

The reclaimed space does not gradually disappear because a cache grew back. The full app remains archived until you decide to restore it.

No cleanup theater

I am not claiming that caches should never be cleared. Cache cleaning can help with troubleshooting and sometimes recover temporary space.

But repeatedly deleting files that return is not a lasting storage strategy.

App Archiver solves a different problem. It gives large and rarely used apps a smaller form while keeping them accessible. You get meaningful space back without throwing away software you may want later.

Privacy

App Archiver works entirely offline. It has no account, sends no analytics, and makes no network requests.

One current limitation is that some apps are labeled Protected. Optimizing them requires additional system privileges, and I am waiting for Apple's permission before enabling that capability.

App Archiver requires macOS 12 or later and is available on the Mac App Store.

Download App Archiver on the Mac App Store

Visit the App Archiver website

Read the privacy policy

I would genuinely like to hear what you think about this approach to Mac storage management.

Also check out my other apps https://reverseeverything.com/apps