WhatsClean

WhatsClean is a free, open-source WhatsApp storage cleaner for macOS. Review images, videos, audio, and documents stored by WhatsApp, then safely move unwanted media to the Trash.

Built for Apple Silicon and macOS 12 or later.

Features

• Browse WhatsApp images, videos, audio files, and documents.
• Preview files before removing them.
• Move selected files to the Trash safely.
• Schedule daily cleanup of files older than seven days.
• Check for and install updates directly from the app with Sparkle.
• Show or hide the optional menu bar icon.
• Use the system appearance or choose Light or Dark mode.
• Grant persistent access to the detected WhatsApp folder with one guided click.
• Follow a localized first-launch guide in English or Brazilian Portuguese.

How it works

WhatsClean does not need to remain open or continuously run in the background. Open it when you want to review WhatsApp storage, clean what you no longer need, and close it when you are done.

Auto (7d) is optional. When enabled, macOS briefly launches a scheduled task once a day to move WhatsApp media older than seven days to the Trash. The app does not remain active or continuously consume RAM or CPU.

All file scanning and cleanup happen locally on your Mac. WhatsClean does not upload your media.

Install

Download the latest DMG from GitHub Releases, open it, and drag WhatsClean to Applications.

Because the app is distributed without paid Apple notarization, macOS may block the first launch. Try opening the app once, then go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and choose Open Anyway.

If that option is unavailable, open Terminal and run:

xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/WhatsClean.app

This is required only for the first launch after installation.

On the first app launch, click Grant WhatsApp Access. WhatsClean opens the expected WhatsApp data location automatically; select the highlighted folder and click Grant Access. The choice is stored and reused on future launches.

Updates

WhatsClean checks its signed GitHub update feed through the embedded Sparkle framework. Update preferences are available under WhatsClean > Settings.

Sparkle is included in the app. Users do not need to install Sparkle, Xcode, or Homebrew.

Homebrew

Once the official tap is available, install with:

brew install --cask vviniciusbarreto/tap/whatsclean

Upgrade with:

brew update
brew upgrade --cask whatsclean

Build from source

git clone https://github.com/vviniciusbarreto/WhatsClean.git
cd WhatsClean
./scripts/install-sparkle.sh
./build.sh

The generated app, DMG, and ZIP are written to the project directory.

Create a release

./scripts/release.sh 1.1.1 7

The Sparkle private signing key remains in the macOS Keychain and must never be committed or shared.

License

WhatsClean is available under the GNU General Public License v3.0.

Created by Vinicius Barreto.