How to clean up your Downloads folder on a Mac
Updated 2026-10-15
Downloads fills with installers, zip files and one-off documents you meant to keep for a day. Sort by size and by date, then clear what you have already used.
Sort the folder
- Open Downloads in Finder and press Command and 2 for list view.
- Click the Size column heading to put the largest files first.
- Click the Date Added column to see the oldest items first. If it is missing, turn it on in View, Show View Options.
What is safe to remove
Installer disk images (.dmg) and packages (.pkg) once the app is installed, zip files you have already extracted, and documents you have saved elsewhere. Keep anything you have not opened yet.
Sort the Dock stack
Right-click the Downloads stack in the Dock and choose Sort By Date Added to see the newest files first.
Clear it in FileSift
FileSift's Clean Up lists leftover installers along with duplicates and unused apps, and shows the space each could free. Removals go to the Trash first.
Common questions
Is it safe to delete a .dmg file after installing an app?
Yes. Once the app is in your Applications folder and opens, the disk image is no longer needed.
Can macOS clean Downloads on its own?
macOS can empty the Trash after 30 days, but it does not delete old downloads by itself. Clear the folder by hand or with a tool.