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Clear system and app logs

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Works with any MacWorks with any Mac running macOS/OS X on Intel or Apple Silicon.
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • macOS onlyThis script improves your privacy on macOS
  • Impact: MinimumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Low
    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use macOS system commands to update your settings.
  • 11 scripts
  • 1 categories
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This category includes scripts that delete various operating system logs. These logs document system operations, user activities, application behavior, and errors. While essential for debugging and monitoring, these logs contain sensitive information and pose privacy risks.

Deleting these logs:

  • Reduces unauthorized access risks to personal data and system configurations.
  • Optimizes system performance by freeing up disk space.
Caution

Deleting these logs may hinder system troubleshooting and monitoring.

Safe for General Use
This script has Normal protection level option. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source

Normal — Functional Privacy​

  • Recommended for all
  • Safe for daily use
  • No impact on system stability

Read more about Normal and other protection levels

Help

How to apply "Clear system and app logs" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 6 instructions
  1. 1

    Choose protection

    Choose one of the options with different impact levels:

    • Normal​

      Some safe scripts minimal system impact.

    • High​

      Some advanced scripts with high system impact.

    Learn more about protection levels

  2. 2

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
  3. 3

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  4. 4

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  5. 5

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  6. 6

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply "Clear system and app logs" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Clear system and app logs
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.

    Applying Normal to limit the impact.

  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 11 Privacy settings
  • 1 Main categories
    • These settings are organized into 1 main categories for easy navigation.
    • Main categories may contain subcategories, further organizing related functionality.
  • 1 Total categories

Choose what to protect based on your needs:This script already includes these options.
You can review, apply or reverse each option individually.
Click any option to learn more about what it does.

  • Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
  • Most users find the Normal protection above sufficient.

  • Clear unified system and app logs​

    This category contains scripts for clearing unified logs on macOS. This system is referred to as the unified logging system, *macOS Unified L...

  • Clear Apple System Logs (ASL)​

    This script deletes Apple System Log (ASL) files, enhancing your privacy and security. ASL files contain system information such as firewall ac...

  • Clear installation logs​

    This script deletes installation logs. These logs document software installations and updates, including dates and details. This data is valuab...

  • Clear all system logs​

    This script deletes the main system logs from your computer. Deleting these logs enhances your privacy by eliminating records of your system us...

  • Clear system application logs​

    This script clears the system application logs. The logs are stored at /Library/Logs/. They include various logs and diagnostic reports. Thes...

  • Clear user application logs​

    This script deletes user application logs from your system. The logs are stored at $HOME/Library/Logs. This directory contains logs specific ...

  • Clear Mail app logs​

    This script deletes the log files of the Mail app. The logs are stored at $HOME/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Logs/Mail. The...

  • Clear user activity audit logs (login, logout, authentication, etc.)​

    This script deletes audit logs from your system, enhancing your privacy by erasing records of your activities. Audit logs document activities l...

  • Clear system maintenance logs​

    This script deletes system maintenance logs, enhancing user privacy by removing traces of system activity. Derived from Mac OS X's UNIX heritag...

  • Clear app installation logs​

    This script deletes logs that record the history of installed applications and updates. The logs are stored at /private/var/db/receipts and `...

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

The guide below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
Visit category: Privacy cleanup

Same Goal​

Other guides in Privacy cleanup See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
See all 12 guides

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process