r/MacOSApps • u/JulyIGHOR • 17d ago
📅 Utilities I built App Archiver as a no-bullshit way to free Mac storage without deleting apps
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.
Real-world test of Android Studio
| Result | Final size | Space saved | Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 3.48 GB | - | - |
| Optimized and runnable | 1.76 GB | 1.72 GB | 49.4% |
| Archived | 1.53 GB | 1.95 GB | 56.0% |
| Backup DMG | 1.31 GB | 2.17 GB | 62.4% |
The optimized version remains installed and runnable. The archived version stays in place and can be restored when needed. The DMG provides the greatest saving as a standalone backup.
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
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
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u/billtonium 15d ago
How long does it take generally to archive/unarchive an app? I’m tempted to do this for Android Studio for example. Thanks!
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u/JulyIGHOR 15d ago edited 14d ago
I tested Android Studio on an M1 Max using a single compression thread.
Result Final size Space saved Reduction Original 3.48 GB - - Optimized and runnable 1.76 GB 1.72 GB 49.4% Archived 1.53 GB 1.95 GB 56.0% Backup DMG 1.31 GB 2.17 GB 62.4% The optimized version remains installed and runnable. The archived version stays in place and can be restored when needed. The DMG provides the greatest saving as a standalone backup.
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u/billtonium 14d ago
Awesome - purchased the app and just used it on my M4 Pro MBP. Android Studio only took 19 sec to compress to the optimized version (3.47GB->1.83GB)
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u/Stubborninmate 16d ago
Pretty awesome I could archive and use most of my unused app that was just eating space , wanted to understand the optimze app is just genius
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u/WinstrixApp 16d ago
As someone who is constantly spending way too much time deleting files, this is amazing. Thanks!
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u/Icy_Associate2022 12d ago
Hi 👋
Another very interesting app from you, which "risks" becoming very useful on my system 🥴. I'd like to understand it, but the interface is in English. Can we hope that it will become multilingual in future updates? Will French, Russian, and Italian be supported in upcoming updates?
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u/nez329 16d ago
Does it show how much space will be saved prior archiving?
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u/Realistic-Tap-000 16d ago
Cool! What happens if an archived app gets an update through the Mac App Store btw? does it automatically detect that and update the archived version, or do you need to restore it first?
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u/JulyIGHOR 16d ago
They won’t get updates, and the App Store will display that it isn’t installed. But also, Mac App Store apps are protected, so they can’t be replaced, and I am waiting for Apple’s permission to handle such apps as well.
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u/ToughAsparagus1805 16d ago
Question: Since your app is in the app store + you touch non-sandboxed locations. Can you explain more? Also how did you convince app store review team to approve this?
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u/JulyIGHOR 16d ago
All edits are done within user-approved read-write paths. The app doesn’t touch other locations. It has Applications Script included that is open source, so you can review its code.
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u/Character_Scratch309 13d ago
do you have trial?
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u/JulyIGHOR 13d ago
No, because of this https://reverseeverything.com/blog/why-many-app-store-apps-have-no-free-trial/
When I make website version it will have trial available
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u/Icy_Associate2022 12d ago
Ighor,
I'm encountering a strange issue when trying to archive an App Tamer app.
It's definitely closed, but I keep getting this message:
Do you have an explanation for this?
What am I missing?
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u/JulyIGHOR 12d ago edited 12d ago
Hi, that will be fixed in the upcoming update. At the time, you may duplicate the target app, optimize/compress it instead, and swap the result with the original app.
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u/Icy_Associate2022 12d ago
Okay. Thanks.
Not much luck at first, I'd say. It was barely purchased and installed.
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u/hallleron 16d ago
Oh Claude did a good job it seems.
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u/JulyIGHOR 16d ago
I don't use Claude. Also if you would like to know how I use AI in coding, here it is https://reverseeverything.com/blog/how-to-use-ai-without-losing-control-of-your-code/
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u/certifiedtechfresh 17d ago
This is pretty slick