Hidden File Cleaner removes unnecessary macOS metadata files, including .DS_Store, .fseventsd, .Spotlight-V100, .Trashes, .apdisk, and ._ (AppleDouble) files.

What sets Hidden File Cleaner apart is its intelligent approach to file removal. It doesn't just delete files blindly - it understands the context of each file type and handles them appropriately. For example:

• When removing ._ (AppleDouble) files, it properly merges the metadata back into the original files, just like the official dot_clean command-line tool
• When cleaning .Spotlight-V100 directories, it pauses Spotlight indexing for that drive to prevent conflicts and prevent the removed files from being recreated
• It only removes these files from appropriate drive types, ensuring system stability

This intelligent approach ensures your important files remain intact and your system stays stable while keeping your drives clean.

None of these files are essential, but they are created automatically when you open a drive in Finder. They are hidden on macOS, but will show up on other operating systems.

These files serve various system functions, for example:

• .DS_Store: Stores folder view preferences (list view, grid view, etc.) and file positions.
• ._ (aka AppleDouble): Stores metadata like custom user-set icons in Finder.
• .Spotlight-V100: Stores Spotlight indexing data for the external drive.

Hidden File Cleaner clears them to keep your drives tidy and compatible with non-Mac systems.

If you only use Macs, these files are usually hidden and won't bother you. However, when transferring files to devices with different operating systems, these hidden files become visible and can cause confusion – or even issues.

For instance, transferring files to an SD card for a game console or other device might result in "corrupted data" errors due to these metadata files. Removing them ensures smooth compatibility and a cleaner experience across platforms.

Partially. It is possible to use Terminal commands to get macOS to stop creating .DS_Store files specifically on certain types of external disks. However, other types of hidden metadata files will still be created. Learn More.

Background Cleaning runs quietly in your menu bar, automatically removing hidden metadata files as soon as they're created in specified locations. It remains idle otherwise, using virtually no CPU or resources. This saves you the hassle of manually cleaning your drives.

We're here to help! You can reach us at [email protected]. We typically respond within 48 hours during business days.