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Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 17, 2026

Overview

Neat is a macOS utility app developed by Sajith M R. Your privacy is fundamental to how we built this app. Neat is designed to work entirely offline and collects no personal data whatsoever.

Data Collection

Neat does not collect, store, transmit, or share:

  • Personal information
  • File contents
  • Usage analytics or telemetry
  • Crash reports
  • Device identifiers
  • Location data
  • Any data to third parties

How Neat Works

Neat scans folders you explicitly select to find large files on your Mac. All scanning happens locally on your device.

The app reads only file metadata — specifically file names, file sizes, file types (extensions), and modification dates. It uses this metadata solely to display a list of large files so you can decide what to keep or remove.

For example:

  • Neat may show that a 4K video in your Photos library is 2.3 GB
  • Neat may show that a lossless album in your Music library is 800 MB
  • Neat may show that a downloaded installer in your Downloads folder is 1.2 GB
  • Neat may show that an old screen recording on your Desktop is 1.5 GB

In all cases, Neat never opens, reads the contents of, plays, views, modifies, or uploads any of your files. It only reads the metadata needed to display file names and sizes.

Protected Resources

When scanning folders that contain protected resources, macOS may ask for your permission. Neat accesses these resources as follows:

  • Photos Library — Neat reads only file names and sizes to help you identify large photos and videos taking up disk space. For example, Neat may show that a 4K video is 2.3 GB so you can decide whether to keep it. Neat never opens, views, modifies, or uploads your photos.
  • Music Library — Neat reads only file names and sizes to help you identify large audio files taking up disk space. For example, Neat may show that a lossless album is 800 MB so you can decide whether to keep it. Neat never plays, modifies, or uploads your music.
  • Desktop, Documents, Downloads — Neat reads only file names and sizes in these folders to list large files. For example, Neat may show that a screen recording is 1.5 GB or a downloaded installer is 1.2 GB. Neat never opens, modifies, or uploads your files.

You can deny any of these permissions. Neat will simply skip that folder and continue scanning the rest.

File Access

Neat accesses the file system only in directories you explicitly choose via the folder selection dialog (NSOpenPanel). The app uses macOS App Sandbox with the following entitlements:

  • User Selected Files (Read/Write) — to scan folders you pick and to move files to Trash at your request
  • App-Scoped Bookmarks — to remember folders you previously selected so you don't have to re-select them

Neat does not access any files or folders without your explicit selection. It does not read file contents — only metadata (name, size, type, date). It does not permanently delete any files — only moves to macOS Trash at your request.

Network Access

Neat requires no internet connection to function. The app makes zero network requests. There are no servers, no cloud services, no APIs, and no external dependencies. Your file metadata never leaves your Mac.

Local Storage

Neat stores the following data locally on your Mac:

  • Scan result cache — File names, sizes, types, and paths from previous scans, stored in~/Library/Application Support/MacScanner/Cache/so you can quickly reload past results without re-scanning.
  • App preferences — Appearance mode (light/dark/system) and folder bookmarks, stored in standard macOS UserDefaults.

All local data can be cleared from within the app using the "Clear Cache" button. This data is never transmitted, synced, or shared anywhere.

Deletion & Trash

Neat can move files to macOS Trash at your explicit request. This action requires manual file selection, a confirmation dialog, and for large operations (more than 5 files or over 2 GB), a second confirmation. Neat never permanently deletes files — it only uses the standard macOS Trash mechanism, which allows recovery. The developer is not responsible for file recovery after the macOS Trash has been emptied, as that is a separate macOS function.

Children's Privacy

Neat does not collect any data from anyone, including children under 13. The app is rated 4+ and contains no objectionable content.

Changes to This Policy

If we update this policy, changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Since Neat collects no data, meaningful changes are unlikely.

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy, contact us at: sajith@tshaped.in