Having an optimization tool installed on a Mac is one of the best ways to ensure that the device will last for many years while providing the same outstanding performance that it did when it was first turned on. Most of these programs are capable of performing deep scans and cleaning all sorts of junk from Macs, not to mention that there are so many to choose from that it’s like choosing a dish from a buffet full of the best gourmet foods.
One such solution is MacKeeper, a top-rated optimizer created by Kromtech in 2010. Unlike many of its competitors, MacKeeper is a universal program that provides real-time assistance during scans and repairs, as well as including a built-in antivirus, a data encryption tool, and much more. And despite often being accused of doing the opposite of what Mac optimizers are supposed to be battling against – namely improving the machine’s performance – MacKeeper is growing in popularity with every passing year for very good reasons.
FAQs
Is MacKeeper Safe?
MacKeeper is often considered to be the very thing that it is supposed to eliminate: it is an aggressive program that launches upon booting and uses aggressive advertising to try to convince customers to pay. This often leads to users downloading the software without much thought, only to get rid of MacKeeper immediately after that without giving the program a proper chance to prove itself.
However, not only is MacKeeper a perfectly legit Mac optimizer, but it also boasts some pretty innovative features. Granted, the program does automatically launch with the Mac and its interface isn’t the most logical, but it does its job perfectly and without harming the Mac’s functionality in the slightest.
To make sure you have the latest version of MacKeeper you should only download the software through the company’s own website. This way you know you’re downloading the real deal and not a potentially unsafe or outdated version from an unknown source.
How Does MacKeeper Work?
The installation of MacKeeper is a simple task, similar to installing other Mac apps.
Once MacKeeper is up and running, first time users – or anyone using the Find & Fix feature for that matter – will go through a smart scan, during which MacKeeper performs a deep scan and forwards the results to an Apple-certified technical assistant.
This assistant then evaluates the results and, once the software’s license is activated, makes suggestions on how to improve your Mac’s performance. Additionally, the expert may recommend having a remote control system check performed by a ZoomSupport technician, but be advised that any fixes offered by said technician are only available for additional fees.
The other option for scanning and cleanup is Fast Cleanup, with which unwanted files and leftovers can easily be eliminated. Fast Cleanup is also the only scanning and optimizing feature that doesn’t require human interference, meaning that it can work in the background without disturbing you – at least until the cleanup process is completed.
However, if you prefer having an explanation on what is happening and why, then the Find & Fix feature with live assistance or the Geek on Demand tabs are the ones you should be looking for.
Does MacKeeper Cause Viruses?
Ignoring MacKeeper’s own controversial business decisions – the use of aggressive advertising being the biggest issue – the software itself is entirely devoid of viruses, malware and any other harmful files or programs that may result in the premature demise of your Mac. Yet it’s important to be vigilant, because if MacKeeper is downloaded from anywhere other than the company’s official website then you may find yourself in serious trouble.
This is why it is highly recommended to download the software from MacKeeper’s official site, which is easiest to find if you go straight to the download page to start the trial or visit the MacKeeper store – either directly or by reading our MacKeeper review. In fact, our MacKeeper.com link will always direct you to MacKeeper’s official site where you can download the latest stable version of the software.
However, be sure to check whether HTTPS is present in the URL: any site that has a URL that resembles that of MacKeeper but lacks the HTTPS protocol is a fake and should be avoided at any cost.
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Does MacKeeper Come With a Mac?
Neither PCs nor Macs leave the manufacturer with in-built optimization software. These solutions are all created by third party developers, some of which may have an exclusive partnership with the device manufacturer. But other than that, Mac optimizers have no direct connection to Apple and should not come pre-installed on any machine. If this is the case, it may be that you have bought a used Mac – in which case a complete system reset should be completed.
Should I Use MacKeeper?
MacKeeper is a more than capable solution for those who want to clean their Mac and help it to run smoother. As a matter of fact, it’s highly recommended to do some deep scans and perform thorough cleanups with MacKeeper from time to time to ensure your Mac stays healthy for many years.
The only question is: ‘How often should the software be used?’ Running MacKeeper on a daily basis isn’t necessary, but doing so every two weeks or at the beginning or end of each month is more than enough to locate and remove unwanted computer junk.
How Do I Delete MacKeeper?
Although MacKeeper is an ideal Mac optimization solution that ensures outstanding Mac performance even beyond the intended lifecycle of the device, its pushy nature and aggressive approach towards advertising often turn out to be the last straw for many users.
To make things even worse, getting rid of MacKeeper completely is quite a challenge, and isn’t a task that can be performed with just a few clicks. However, removing MacKeeper entirely is not impossible; there are two ways of doing so, either manually or alternatively via a script.
To remove MacKeeper manually:
- Decrypt all files encrypted with the software, then drag and drop MacKeeper.app to Trash.
- Go to ~/Library/Application Support and delete anything related to MacKeeper and/or Zeobit, including the MacKeeper Helper folder and any remaining backup files.
- Head to the preferences of all installed browsers, search for MacKeeper’s extensions and remove them. And, just to make sure MacKeeper is gone for good from your browsers as well, delete the cache, cookies and any browsing data.
The alternate method of deleting MacKeeper can be performed two ways:
- Via Finder, click on “Kind”, then “Others”, followed by typing in “System Files”, selecting “are included” and then removing any matches related to MacKeeper.
- Via an automated removal script saved as a simple text file and then executed in Terminal by typing in the commands
chmod +x deleteMacKeeper.sh
andsudo ./deleteMacKeeper.sh
.
Still, there is one other method that not many users might think of at first, but it’s by far the safest and most effective way of removing MacKeeper – just use another Mac optimizer…
Is MacKeeper Free?
Technically there is a free version of MacKeeper, but it’s so limited where the most important optimization features are concerned that subscribing to it is practically mandatory for anyone who wants more than a junk scanner that provides a limited number of free scans.
The reason we discourage you from this free version is the fact that all paid plans come with an everlasting (partial) money back guarantee – but only if the software has an issue not even MacKeeper’s technical support can resolve.
How Much Does MacKeeper Cost?
If you’re not interested in the free version, then MacKeeper is available in four different pricing plans. However, unlike its competitors, the company’s pricing policy is quite tricky to follow since it only rewards those who are willing to enter into longer contracts.
This means that, unfortunately, going for the $14.95 per month monthly subscription is out of question, since many advanced features still remain locked out despite being a paid subscription.
The six-month plan for $9.94 per month is slightly better as it only lacks automated security updates and live support by the ‘geeks’. Which means that, obviously, the best option that includes all of MacKeeper’s features without any limitation is the 12-month prepaid plan – which costs $7.95 each month – or the longest subscription, the two-year plan that costs $4.95 per month.
And if the cost-friendly prices of those two long-term subscription plans are not enough, there is a special promotion that reduces prices by an additional 25% but only if your email address is provided in a pop-up screen displayed during the purchase of the license.
Is MacKeeper Worth the Money?
If you want a Mac cleaner that performs the most important optimization tasks for free or you don’t want a program that utilizes heavy-handed advertising to push for a payment, then MacKeeper is not for you.
However, MacKeeper’s unlimited version, which is available in a rather generous annual or two-year subscription, is one of the best solutions on the market, bringing on board not only the usual Mac optimization features, but such extras as a built-in antivirus, live support, local backup, and even data encryption.
In simpler words if you are willing to sacrifice approximately $5 each month then you’ll get an advanced Mac cleaning solution that will help you prolong the life and performance of your Mac.
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