How to Find and Delete DMG Files on Mac [2 Ways]

Last updated: Jul 31, 2024

Summary: In this article, you'll learn what DMG files are and how to manually and automatically delete them after installation.

DMG files are to Mac what ISO files are to Windows. Once you install an application, its DMG file is no longer needed. Additionally, DMG files take up disk space and may even slow down your Mac. Therefore, it is important to delete unused DMG files in a timely manner.

In this blog post, we'll discuss what a DMG file is and how to quickly clean up a DMG file in two ways.

How to Find and Delete DMG Files on Mac [2 Ways]

Also Read: Download macOS Monterey DMG and ISO Files [Direct Links]

What Is A DMG File?

A DMG file is an Apple disk image file used to distribute software and package other non-application files on Mac OS X. When you double-click the .dmg file, a virtual drive will be mounted on your desktop. DMG files are widely used on macOS because they can be fully verified and easily compressed to a smaller size.

Can You Delete DMG Files After Installation?

The answer is yes. After installing an application, you can delete its DMG file directly, unless you want to keep it for archival purposes or in case the installation is incomplete. In addition, developers will update the application regularly. If you're going to use its updated version, then the old DMG file is no longer useful to you.

How to Quickly Find and Delete DMG Files on Mac

There is a faster and easier way to deal with DMG files on your Mac. That is to use BuhoCleaner, a handy DMG file finder and cleaner for Mac. You can use it not only to find and delete unused DMG files but also to clean up other junk files in macOS, apps and browsers, as well as uninstall apps you don't use.

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Here's how to remove DMG files on your Mac with BuhoCleaner:

Download and install BuhoCleaner on your Mac.
Launch BuhoCleaner and click the Scan button in the right column.
When the scanning process is finished, click the "View Details" button, check the box next to "Unused DMG Files" in the results list, and click the "Remove" button.

As you can see from the picture, BuhoCleaner can also help you clean junk files like caches and logs. Check all of the boxes if you want to clean them all.

How to Manually Find and Delete DMG Files on Mac

If you prefer not to install third-party software, use Finder to find and delete DMG files on your Mac manually.

Here are the steps:

Click the Finder icon in the Dock to open a Finder window.
Click the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the Finder window.
Type "dmg" in the box and select "Type > Disk Image" in the drop-down menu.
Select the .dmg files you want to delete and drag them to the Trash.
Empty your Trash.

FAQs about DMG Files on Mac

Should I Delete DMG Files after Installation?
Yes, you should. Deleting DMG files will help free up space on your Mac.
Where Are DMG Files Stored on a Mac?
Typically, DMG files are stored in the Downloads folder in the Finder.
Where to download DMG files for macOS?
Tech enthusiasts post many direct download links for macOS DMGs. If you can't find what you want, try creating one yourself using Terminal or Disk Utility.