A new Mac application, AppAudit, offers users a structured way to review, organise, and prepare their software library for future macOS migrations, with a focus on identifying legacy and architecture-specific apps amid upcoming changes to Apple Silicon support.
Before his latest Mac migration, Michael Sheehan set out to do something many users eventually face but few enjoy: audit years of accumulated software and decide what deserved to move to the next machine. Apple’s built-in System Information utility could show installed apps, but HighTechDad found it too blunt for a proper review because it lacked notes, filtering and practical export options. That frustration became the seed for AppAudit, a Mac inventory tool designed to turn a messy application list into something structured and actionable.
The problem AppAudit addresses is broader than one migration. Macs tend to gather software quietly over time: trial apps, one-off utilities, older tools left behind after clean-ups and, on Apple Silicon machines, Intel-only software still running through Rosetta 2. Sheehan notes that Apple has said Rosetta support will end with macOS 28, which makes identifying legacy apps more urgent for users who have not reviewed their library in years.
AppAudit scans installed app bundles and presents a consolidated inventory with details such as name, icon, version, file path, size, dates and architecture. It also groups duplicate copies into a single view, making it easier to see where multiple versions of the same app are hiding. That is especially useful on machines where copies may live in Applications, Downloads or cloud storage folders rather than one tidy location.
Its key value is not just detection but organisation. Users can add notes, create custom lists and keep review decisions in one place instead of bouncing between Finder, System Information and a separate document. The free edition includes inventory, duplicate detection, notes, search, sorting, filtering and up to three custom lists, while Pro expands that workflow with deeper inspection, richer filters and export options in CSV, Markdown and JSON.
Architecture visibility is one of the most practical features. AppAudit flags whether apps are Apple Silicon-native, Universal or Intel-only, giving Mac users a fast way to spot software that still depends on Rosetta. For anyone planning a migration, that helps separate modern software from older tools that may need replacement before an upgrade or transfer.
Sheehan has also framed the product as a review-first utility rather than a cleaner. The company says the app does not automatically remove software, although Pro includes a guarded Move to Trash workflow for eligible bundles. A Compare Workspace lets users review two inventory snapshots side by side, which is useful for tracking changes after a migration or over time.
AppAudit is offered as a single download with Free, Pro and Consultant tiers inside the same app. The Consultant edition is aimed at support professionals and adds time-limited customer licences, allowing a client to use Pro features temporarily during an engagement. The company says licensing is direct rather than account-based, and the app is designed to work locally without requiring constant network access.
That privacy-first approach is central to the product’s positioning. AppAudit keeps scan data on the Mac unless users choose to export it, and updates are checked manually rather than through background polling. For users preparing a new Mac, clearing out duplicate apps or identifying obsolete Intel-only software, the pitch is simple: stop guessing, build an inventory and make the migration decision with better information.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
