WTF Is Heating My Mac?

# WTF Is Heating My Mac?

> AI finished. Mac still hot? Find what is still running, see what it belongs to, and stop work you no longer need.

[Switch to the website](https://wtfisheatingmymac.com/)

## Availability and download

- Available now for macOS 26 or newer on Apple Silicon.
- Current release: 1.7.3 (build 35). Installer size: 5.2 MB.
- [Download for Mac](https://wtf-licensing.vercel.app/download)
- [Direct installer](https://wtfisheatingmymac.com/downloads/WTF-Is-Heating-My-Mac-1.7.3-35.dmg)
- [Installer SHA-256](https://wtfisheatingmymac.com/downloads/WTF-Is-Heating-My-Mac-1.7.3-35.dmg.sha256)
- [ZIP archive](https://wtfisheatingmymac.com/downloads/WTF-Is-Heating-My-Mac-1.7.3-35.zip)
- ZIP SHA-256: f8f790c98a3997bfcc8db47308dcd69042e13833a526b5c9d96c3a6ae3fc0853
- Signed with Developer ID and notarized by Apple.

## What it does

WTF Is Heating My Mac? is a native menu-bar app for understanding local resource use. AI coding tools can leave development servers, file watchers and background workers running after a task ends. The app groups processes by app, project and local server, and shows observed origins so you can decide what to stop. Everyday apps are visible too.

- Inspect CPU use, process memory and fan RPM on supported Macs.
- Explore projects, worktrees and local servers, including their ports and observed parent tools.
- Inspect storage used by projects, dependencies and build caches, then review cleanup candidates.
- Review the exact processes before stopping a server. Nothing closes automatically. Ordinary apps receive Quit so they can display their own save dialogs.
- See the flame react to measurements, collect achievements and preview reports before saving or sharing them.
- Use English or Czech, with light and dark appearance.

Recognized local tools include Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI and OpenCode. ChatGPT, Claude Desktop and Conductor are also recognized where local process evidence exists. Cloud tasks and browser chats are not visible. Uncertain connections are labeled.

Stopping unnecessary work can reduce CPU load. CPU activity does not establish the cause of heat, and the app does not promise a temperature drop. Fan RPM is not a noise measurement. The website demo uses fictional data and cannot inspect or stop local processes.

## Trial and license

Every feature is free for 14 days, with no card required. After the trial, live monitoring and cleanup pause; saved history, badges and records remain on the computer.

A lifetime license costs $3.99 once for two computers in total. No subscription or automatic charges. Buy in the app. Existing licenses also include Windows when it launches: Mac + PC, two Macs or two PCs. Settings and history stay on each computer.

[Manage a license or free an activation](https://wtf-licensing.vercel.app/licenses)

## Updates

Choose Check for Updates in the app, then Install Update. The app downloads the update, checks its signature and restarts when you are ready, keeping your settings. Versions before 1.2 require a manual install to obtain the updater.

### What's new in 1.7.3

- A slimmer backup reminder with two short lines and one action keeps your dashboard in view.
- Choose your backup and optional shared statistics in a focused dialog, with sign-in progress and errors kept out of the banner.

## Privacy

Measurements and recent process history stay locally. The app does not upload them or read documents, chats or code. Update checks fetch public release information.

Licensing uses the internet to start a trial, activate a key and manage activations. It stores a random installation ID, public device key, license status, activation dates and purchase email, not a MAC address or serial number. Stripe handles payments; the app's service never receives card details.

Basic usage statistics are optional and off by default: installation ID, app version and day used. Measurements, process names, projects, files and achievements are not sent. Turning statistics off stops reporting and requests deletion of that installation's usage history. Usage rows are kept for 90 days.

Download links count requests, not people or completed installations. The website has no ad trackers or analytics scripts. Vercel and Neon host the website, licensing service and database, and may receive ordinary connection information such as IP addresses. License recovery uses email verification or sign-in.

## Links

- [Windows edition — free testing preview available](https://wtfisheatingmypc.com/)
- [Windows edition in Markdown](https://wtfisheatingmypc.com/index.md)
- [Release metadata](https://wtfisheatingmymac.com/updates/latest.json)
- [Support and privacy requests: Jakub Šťastný](mailto:jakub.stastny28@gmail.com)