Clone Files Checker finds exact duplicate files in the folders you choose on your Mac. You review each group, keep the copy you need, and then move the extras or delete them to the Trash.
We have made every effort to include as many questions as possible over here. We also have in place, plans to add up more questions to this repository that we deem will be beneficial to a large number of users. These questions can be extracted from (however not limited to) the queries we receive through the Support Form as well as our Customer Support email address, which is support@clonefileschecker.com. All kind of queries/ observations/ suggestions are (and will always be) welcome.
What is this software program about in a nutshell?
It scans the folders you choose for exact duplicate files. You review the groups, keep one copy, and then move the extras to another folder or delete them to the Trash.
Is it possible to scan multiple locations in a single scan?
Yes, you can opt to add as many folders, drives or even external drives as you want in a single scan.
Can I exclude a subfolder from a scan? If yes, can I do so easily?
Yes. On File Search, use Include for the folders you want and Exclude for any folder the scan should skip.
Can I limit the scan with regards to File Types and/ or File sizes?
Yes. After you choose locations, scan all files or limit the scan to categories such as Documents, Videos, Music, Images, and Archives. You can also ignore files smaller or larger than a size you set.
Does the Mac version include iTunes Search?
No. iTunes Search was removed from the Mac app. Music Search is still there, and it compares songs in the folders you select by the tags you tick.
Which versions of macOS does it support?
macOS Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, and Monterey. It also runs on macOS Catalina (10.15) and later. The current Mac release is 2.1.0, in one universal disk image for Intel and Apple Silicon.
I discovered a gigantic amount of duplicates and the whole results area is too cluttered. How do I simplify things?
Use the category filters above the results, such as Documents, Archives, Videos, Images, and Music. All Groups shows every match. A category shows only that type.
What is Show Preview for?
Turn on Show Preview to open File Inspector for the selected file. It can preview common images, PDFs, and some audio and video files. Other files may show an icon instead.
How do I know a particular duplicate file’s location?
The results list shows the directory, and File Inspector shows the full path. Select the file and choose Show in Finder to open that folder.
The scan discovered an astonishing number of duplicates. What do I do now?
Open the results and review the groups. Use Choose rule to keep one copy in each group, or check files yourself. Then set Action to Move or Delete and choose Run Action.
What happens after I run Move or Delete?
Move asks you to pick a folder. Delete asks you to confirm. When the action finishes, History records the batch. The results list does not turn file names red.
I want to move the duplicates to a folder of my own choice. Is this possible?
Yes. Set Action to Move and choose Run Action. A folder picker opens, and the checked files are moved to the folder you select. There is no preset destination folder in Settings.
I will go for deleting the files. Will they be moved to the Trash or they will be permanently removed.
With Move to Recycle Bin on, which is the default, Delete moves the checked files to the Trash. The confirm says Trash. Empty the Trash later to free the disk space. Turn that setting off in Settings → General if you want Delete to remove the files permanently. A file on a drive that has no Trash, such as some network or USB locations, stays put unless you confirm a permanent delete for that file.
Does Clone Files Checker create the destination folder for me?
No. When you run Move, you choose the folder in the picker. The app does not keep a preset folder or create one for you.
What are Filter Settings?
Settings → Filters lists the extensions used for Music, Videos, Images, Archives, and Documents. You can add or remove extensions. Restore Defaults puts those lists back. HEIC is not included until you add it.
Does Clone Files Checker also scan the sensitive areas of my Mac during a scan?
Protected system locations are skipped. There is no Advanced tab for turning those exclusions off. Settings → General has Full Disk Access, which opens System Settings so macOS can allow Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and some external folders. The scan still runs if access has not been granted, and some of those folders may be skipped.
I changed Settings and want them back. How do I undo that?
Open Settings → Restore and choose Restore All Settings to Default. That turns Move to Recycle Bin back on. It does not clear History. History is a log of moves and deletes, not a way to restore files.
Can I save the scan results for future reference?
There is no CSV or HTML export. If a scan already exists, you can load the last scan result instead of starting a new one. History records completed move and delete batches. It is not a copy of the scan list, and it does not put files back.
Can I try out Clone Files Checker for free? Are there any limitations involved with regards to its trial usage?
Yes. Scanning is free. Move and Delete are limited to 10 distinct duplicate groups. Cleaning up more than that needs a license.
I get the trial limitation thing, but I’m not too sure what the 10 groups of files means?
All the duplicates detected during the scan are divided into groups by Clone Files Checker. This helps simplify matters as well as help you spot the number of duplicates for any particular file. Please note that the number of duplicate groups is determined by the unique files which relate to the detected duplicates, and not the total number of duplicates that have been detected.
I’m pretty clear about all aspects. How do I register?
Use Register in the top bar, or open the order page. The register window accepts your email and license key. After the free 10-group limit, the trial window also has a button that opens the order page.
How do I check for updates to Clone Files Checker for Mac?
Use the Update button in the top bar.
I need more help on using Clone Files Checker. Is there any way I can be guided?
Choose Help in the top bar, or write to support@clonefileschecker.com. The support form is on the support page.
How can I view the Terms of Service, End User License Agreement (EULA) and most importantly, the Privacy Policy that is in place for Clone Files Checker for Mac?
All such important information is available at relevant sections on our website (https://www.clonefileschecker.com). Please keep visiting our blog at https://www.clonefileschecker.com/blog/ for informative articles on just about everything related to Clone Files Checker for Mac.
Does Cloud Scan connect to my cloud accounts?
No. Cloud Scan is a pane for Cloud Duplicate Finder, which runs in the browser. The Mac app does not sign in to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, or Amazon S3.
Does that mean I’ll have to pay a separate license fee for a Cloud Duplicate Finder account?
No. Buying Clone Files Checker creates a paid Cloud Duplicate Finder account for the same period.
How will the membership renewal process work?
The Cloud Duplicate Finder period matches the Clone Files Checker purchase period.
How can I trust Cloud Duplicate Finder with my data?
Cloud Duplicate Finder is a separate service. Its privacy policy is at cloudduplicatefinder.com/privacy-policy.
The cloud service I use isn’t supported by Cloud Duplicate Finder at the moment. What do I do?
Cloud Duplicate Finder covers OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and Amazon S3. If your service is not one of those, this app does not scan it.
Does that mean I have no other choice and I will have to wait a few months for this particular cloud service to be added to Cloud Duplicate Finder?
If that cloud folder is already downloaded on the Mac, File Search can scan the local copy. Files that are online only may not be readable. That is not the same as Cloud Duplicate Finder scanning the cloud library.
What if I want to deactivate my Cloud Duplicate Finder account?
Account changes are handled on the Cloud Duplicate Finder website, not inside Clone Files Checker.
What about any cloud account info saved in my Cloud Duplicate Finder account as well as any unsaved scans?
That is handled by Cloud Duplicate Finder. Its privacy policy describes what is removed when an account is closed.
I found the Cloud Duplicate Finder web service to be exceptionally good at what it does. However, isn’t it possible for me to register as a standalone user without having to register for Clone Files Checker for Mac?
Yes. You can register at cloudduplicatefinder.com on its own. A Clone Files Checker purchase also includes a paid Cloud Duplicate Finder account for the same period.