Recipe · Clean up
Clear duplicate downloads like "file (1).pdf" on a Mac
Omaculate finds copies like "manual (1).pdf" or "report 2.pdf" that are byte-for-byte the same as the original beside them, and offers the copies for the Trash. The original stays.
Why it helps
Browsers never overwrite: click a link twice and you get a second, numbered copy. Over a year that adds up to a lot of the same files.
What it matches
- Names like "X (1).ext", "X(2).ext", "X 2.ext", "X-1.ext" and "X copy.ext"
- Only when "X.ext" is beside it with exactly the same content
What it leaves alone
- The original
- A numbered file whose content differs (an updated version)
- Copies in other folders
- Trash rows always ask first, even when the recipe is set to Just handle it.
Anything in Downloads that's an exact copy of a file beside it goes to the Trash.
Set it up in Omaculate
- Open Omaculate from the menu bar and go to Recipes.
- Under Suggested, choose Duplicate downloads. It's ready to save, on Downloads.
- Look over the files it would touch, then press Save.
- Press Tidy now, check the list, and approve it.
Change anything by tapping its words, for example: only copies older than a week; run it in Desktop too (with Grand Oma).
Or by hand: spot numbered copies in Finder
- Open Downloads and press ⌘F, searching "Downloads".
- Search for
(1)to list numbered copies. - Before trashing one, open both and compare them, or check their sizes in Get Info.
Same name and size usually means the same file, but not always. Omaculate compares the actual content.
Questions
Why does my Mac add (1) to downloaded files?
Your browser does it so it never overwrites a file you already have. Downloading the same file twice gives you "name (1)".
Could Omaculate trash the only copy of a file?
No. The original is never matched, and a numbered file is only offered when its content is exactly the same as the original beside it.
Let Oma trash duplicate downloads.
Free for one folder. Everything free for 3 days, then Grand Oma is $14.99, once.