What’s in the folders on your Mac

223 folders, explained the same way the MacClearings Map explains them: what it is, which app made it, whether it comes back, and what happens without it.

223 folders

Your folders

Home, Downloads, Documents and the folders you use every day.

Downloads

~/Downloads

Doesn't come back

What it is: Files you downloaded from the web, Mail and Messages, plus anything apps save here.
Without it: Everything in it would go with it. Files you can download again aren't lost, but anything kept only here would be.

Documents

~/Documents

Doesn't come back

What it is: Your Documents folder. If Desktop & Documents Folders is on in iCloud, it's also in iCloud Drive.
Without it: Everything in it would go with it. With iCloud syncing on, it would also leave your other devices.

Desktop

~/Desktop

Doesn't come back

What it is: The files and folders on your desktop. If Desktop & Documents Folders is on in iCloud, it's also in iCloud Drive.
Without it: Everything on your desktop would go with it. With iCloud syncing on, it would also leave your other devices.

Pictures

~/Pictures

Doesn't come back

What it is: Your Pictures folder, where Photos and Photo Booth keep their libraries by default.
Without it: Everything in it would go with it, including your Photos library if it's stored here.

Movies

~/Movies

Doesn't come back

What it is: Your Movies folder. iMovie, Final Cut Pro and the TV app keep their libraries here by default.
Without it: Everything in it would go with it, including any video libraries stored here.

Music

~/Music

Doesn't come back

What it is: Your Music folder, where the Music app, GarageBand and Logic Pro keep their libraries and projects by default.
Without it: Everything in it would go with it, including your Music library and any music projects stored here.

Your home folder

Doesn't come back

What it is: Everything that belongs to your account on this Mac: your files, settings and app data.
Without it: Everything that's yours on this Mac would go with it, and your account wouldn't work without it.

Trash

~/.Trash

Doesn't come back

Made by: Finder
What it is: Items you've moved to the Trash. They stay here, and can still be put back, until you clear them in Finder.
Without it: These items are already in the Trash. You can still put them back from Finder.

Applications

/Applications

Doesn't come back

What it is: Apps installed for everyone on this Mac.
Without it: Every app in it would stop being available. Apps from the App Store or their makers can be downloaded again.

Your Applications folder

~/Applications

Doesn't come back

What it is: Apps installed just for you, including web apps you added to the Dock from Safari or Chrome.
Without it: These apps would go with it. Web apps can be added again from the browser.

Music library

~/Music/Music

Doesn't come back

Made by: Music
What it is: Your Music library: the library file plus songs you imported, bought or downloaded.
Without it: Songs stored only here would go with it. Purchases and Apple Music downloads can be downloaded again.

TV library

~/Movies/TV

Doesn't come back

Made by: TV
What it is: The TV app's library, with movies and shows you downloaded and home videos you imported.
Without it: Downloaded purchases can be downloaded again, but home videos you imported would go with it.

Zoom recordings

~/Documents/Zoom

Doesn't come back

Made by: Zoom
What it is: Meeting recordings and chat files Zoom saved to this Mac.
Without it: Recordings saved here would go with it. Cloud recordings stay in your Zoom account.

DaVinci Resolve render cache

~/Movies/CacheClip

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: DaVinci Resolve
What it is: Render cache files DaVinci Resolve made so effects and grades play back smoothly.
Without it: Resolve renders them again when you play those timelines.
Managing it: DaVinci Resolve → Playback → Delete Render Cache

Homebrew

/opt/homebrew · /usr/local/Homebrew · /usr/local/Cellar

Doesn't come back

Made by: Homebrew
What it is: Homebrew and every command-line tool and app you installed with it.
Without it: brew and every tool it installed would stop working until you install them again.

Locally installed tools

/usr/local

Doesn't come back

What it is: Command-line tools installed outside macOS, including Homebrew on Intel Macs.
Without it: Tools installed here would stop working until you install them again.

Core dumps

/cores

Doesn't come back

Made by: macOS
What it is: Full memory snapshots of crashed processes, saved only when a developer turns them on.
Without it: Nothing on your Mac uses them. They only help someone debugging that crash.

Spotlight index

/.Spotlight-V100 · /System/Volumes/Data/.Spotlight-V100

Comes back on its own

Made by: Spotlight
What it is: The index Spotlight searches when you look for files, mail and messages.
Without it: macOS protects this folder. If the index is rebuilt, searches are incomplete until Spotlight finishes.
Managing it: System Settings → Spotlight

App data in your Library

Where apps keep their settings, data and containers.

iCloud Drive

~/Library/Mobile Documents

Doesn't come back

Made by: iCloud Drive
What it is: Everything in iCloud Drive on this Mac, including the folders apps keep in iCloud.
Without it: Moving files here to the Trash removes them from every device signed in to the same iCloud account.
Managing it: System Settings → your name → iCloud → Optimize Mac Storage

Your iCloud Drive folder

~/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs

Doesn't come back

Made by: iCloud Drive
What it is: The files and folders you see under iCloud Drive in Finder.
Without it: Moving files here to the Trash removes them from every device signed in to the same iCloud account.
Managing it: System Settings → your name → iCloud → Optimize Mac Storage

An app's iCloud folder

~/Library/Mobile Documents/*

Doesn't come back

Made by: iCloud Drive
What it is: Documents an app keeps in iCloud Drive, like Pages, Numbers or Preview documents.
Without it: Moving it removes the app's documents from every device signed in to the same iCloud account.

Dropbox

~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox* · ~/Dropbox

Doesn't come back

Made by: Dropbox
What it is: Your Dropbox folder. Its files sync with Dropbox and your other devices.
Without it: Moving files here to the Trash removes them from Dropbox and your other devices too.

Google Drive

~/Library/CloudStorage/GoogleDrive-*

Doesn't come back

Made by: Google Drive
What it is: Your Google Drive folder. Its files sync with Google Drive and your other devices.
Without it: Moving files here to the Trash removes them from Google Drive and your other devices too.

OneDrive

~/Library/CloudStorage/OneDrive-*

Doesn't come back

Made by: OneDrive
What it is: Your OneDrive folder. Its files sync with OneDrive and your other devices.
Without it: Moving files here to the Trash removes them from OneDrive and your other devices too.

A cloud storage folder

~/Library/CloudStorage/*

Doesn't come back

What it is: A folder that syncs with a cloud storage service through macOS's File Provider.
Without it: Moving files here to the Trash removes them from the service and your other devices too.

Cloud storage folders

~/Library/CloudStorage

Doesn't come back

What it is: Folders for cloud storage services that work through macOS's File Provider, like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and Box.
Without it: Files in these folders are synced. Moving them to the Trash removes them from the service and your other devices too.

Google Drive's local files

~/Library/Application Support/Google/DriveFS

Doesn't come back

Made by: Google Drive
What it is: Google Drive's copies of files you opened or made available offline, plus its sync records.
Without it: Google Drive would set itself up again, and changes that haven't finished uploading could be lost.

Podcasts library and downloads

~/Library/Group Containers/243LU875E5.groups.com.apple.podcasts

Doesn't come back

Made by: Podcasts
What it is: The Podcasts app's library and the episodes it downloaded.
Without it: Downloaded episodes and your podcast library on this Mac would go with it.
Managing it: Podcasts → Settings

Spotify downloads

~/Library/Application Support/Spotify/PersistentCache/Storage

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Spotify
What it is: Songs and podcasts you downloaded in Spotify to play offline, plus music it keeps to start playback quickly.
Without it: Downloaded playlists and podcasts would need to download again before they play offline.
Managing it: Spotify → Settings → Storage

Spotify's data

~/Library/Application Support/Spotify

Doesn't come back

Made by: Spotify
What it is: Spotify's settings, sign-in and offline downloads on this Mac.
Without it: Spotify would sign you out, and offline downloads would need to download again. Your playlists stay in your account.

Mail attachment copies

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Mail Downloads

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Mail
What it is: Copies of attachments Mail saved when you opened or previewed them. The originals stay in the messages.
Without it: Mail saves a new copy the next time you open an attachment. The messages keep the originals.

Mail

~/Library/Mail

Doesn't come back

Made by: Mail
What it is: Your email on this Mac: messages, attachments and mailboxes for every account in Mail.
Without it: Mail would download messages again from accounts that keep them on a server. Mail stored only on this Mac would be lost.

Messages attachments

~/Library/Messages/Attachments

Doesn't come back

Made by: Messages
What it is: Photos, videos and files sent and received in Messages on this Mac.
Without it: They would disappear from your conversations on this Mac, unless Messages in iCloud keeps a copy.
Managing it: System Settings → General → Storage → Messages

Messages

~/Library/Messages

Doesn't come back

Made by: Messages
What it is: Your Messages history on this Mac: conversations and the photos and files in them.
Without it: Your messages history on this Mac would go with it, unless Messages in iCloud keeps a copy.
Managing it: Messages → Settings → General → Keep messages

Notes

~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.notes

Doesn't come back

Made by: Notes
What it is: The Notes database and attachments for your notes on this Mac.
Without it: Notes stored On My Mac would go with it. Notes in iCloud would download again.

Keychains

~/Library/Keychains

Doesn't come back

Made by: macOS
What it is: Your keychains: passwords, certificates and keys saved for apps, websites and Wi-Fi networks.
Without it: Passwords and keys saved on this Mac would go with it, and apps would ask you to sign in again.

Your fonts

~/Library/Fonts

Doesn't come back

What it is: Fonts you installed for your account.
Without it: Apps would stop showing these fonts, and documents that use them would fall back to others.
Managing it: Font Book

iPhone and iPad backups

~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup

Doesn't come back

Made by: Finder
What it is: Backups of your iPhone and iPad made by Finder or iTunes. Each folder is a full backup of one device.
Without it: Those device backups on this Mac would go with it. Backups in iCloud aren't affected.
Managing it: Finder → your iPhone → Manage Backups

iPhone and iPad updates

~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates · ~/Library/iTunes/iPad Software Updates

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Finder
What it is: Software updates Finder downloaded to update or restore a connected iPhone or iPad.
Without it: Finder downloads the update again the next time it needs it.

Safari's cache

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Caches

Comes back on its own

Made by: Safari
What it is: Copies of pages, images and scripts Safari downloaded so sites open faster.
Without it: Sites load a little slower until Safari downloads them again. History and bookmarks aren't affected.
Managing it: Safari → Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data

Safari

~/Library/Safari

Doesn't come back

Made by: Safari
What it is: Safari's history, bookmarks, Reading List and website settings.
Without it: Safari would lose its history and bookmarks on this Mac. If Safari syncs with iCloud, bookmarks come back.

Chrome profile

~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default · ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Profile *

Doesn't come back

Made by: Google Chrome
What it is: A Chrome profile: its bookmarks, history, passwords, extensions and the sites you're signed in to.
Without it: Chrome would start this profile fresh. Anything not synced to your Google account would be lost.

Chrome's data

~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome

Doesn't come back

Made by: Google Chrome
What it is: Chrome's profiles and settings: bookmarks, history, passwords, extensions and site data.
Without it: Chrome would start fresh. Anything not synced to your Google account would be lost.

Arc's data

~/Library/Application Support/Arc

Doesn't come back

Made by: Arc
What it is: Arc's spaces, pinned tabs, profiles and settings on this Mac.
Without it: Arc would start fresh on this Mac. Spaces and tabs synced to your Arc account can come back.

Brave's data

~/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser

Doesn't come back

Made by: Brave
What it is: Brave's profiles and settings: bookmarks, history, passwords, extensions and site data.
Without it: Brave would start fresh. Anything not synced with Brave Sync would be lost.

Edge's data

~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft Edge

Doesn't come back

Made by: Microsoft Edge
What it is: Microsoft Edge's profiles and settings: favorites, history, passwords, extensions and site data.
Without it: Edge would start fresh. Anything not synced to your Microsoft account would be lost.

Firefox profile

~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/*

Doesn't come back

Made by: Firefox
What it is: A Firefox profile: its bookmarks, history, passwords, add-ons and the sites you're signed in to.
Without it: Firefox would lose this profile. Anything not synced to your Mozilla account would be lost.

~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/*/Service Worker · ~/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/*/Service Worker · ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft Edge/*/Service Worker

Comes back on its own

What it is: Files websites stored through service workers so they load quickly or work offline.
Without it: Sites download these files again when you visit. Anything a site kept only for offline use would be lost.

Slack's cache

~/Library/Application Support/Slack/Cache · ~/Library/Application Support/Slack/Service Worker · ~/Library/Containers/com.tinyspeck.slackmacgap/Data/Library/Application Support/Slack/Cache

Comes back on its own

Made by: Slack
What it is: Files and images Slack saved so channels and messages load faster.
Without it: Slack downloads them again as you use it. Your messages stay on Slack's servers.

Slack's data

~/Library/Application Support/Slack · ~/Library/Containers/com.tinyspeck.slackmacgap

Doesn't come back

Made by: Slack
What it is: Slack's sign-ins, settings and saved copies of messages and files on this Mac.
Without it: Slack would sign you out of every workspace and forget its settings here. Messages stay on Slack's servers.

Discord's cache

~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache

Comes back on its own

Made by: Discord
What it is: Images, videos and files Discord saved so chats load faster.
Without it: Discord downloads them again as you use it. Your messages stay on Discord's servers.

Discord's data

~/Library/Application Support/discord

Doesn't come back

Made by: Discord
What it is: Discord's sign-in, settings and saved copies of chats and media on this Mac.
Without it: Discord would sign you out and forget its settings here. Your messages stay on Discord's servers.

Microsoft Teams' data

~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2 · ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams

Doesn't come back

Made by: Microsoft Teams
What it is: Microsoft Teams' sign-ins, settings and saved copies of chats and files. The Application Support folder is from classic Teams.
Without it: Teams would sign you out and download chats again. Your messages stay on Microsoft's servers.

~/Library/Group Containers/group.net.whatsapp.WhatsApp.shared · ~/Library/Containers/net.whatsapp.WhatsApp

Doesn't come back

Made by: WhatsApp
What it is: WhatsApp's chats, photos, videos and voice messages on this Mac.
Without it: WhatsApp would need linking again, and chats and media kept only on this Mac would be lost.

~/Library/Group Containers/6N38VWS5BX.ru.keepcoder.Telegram · ~/Library/Application Support/Telegram Desktop

Doesn't come back

Made by: Telegram
What it is: Telegram's sign-in, settings and the photos, videos and files it saved from your chats.
Without it: Telegram would sign you out and download chats and media again. Secret chats exist only on your devices and would be lost.
Managing it: Telegram → Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Usage

Signal

~/Library/Application Support/Signal

Doesn't come back

Made by: Signal
What it is: Signal's messages, attachments and link to your phone on this Mac.
Without it: Your Signal history on this Mac would go with it. Signal doesn't keep copies of messages on its servers.

Outlook

~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/Outlook

Doesn't come back

Made by: Microsoft Outlook
What it is: Outlook's mail, calendar and contacts stored on this Mac.
Without it: Outlook would download mail again from accounts that keep it on a server. Anything stored only on this Mac would be lost.

Adobe media cache

~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/Media Cache Files · ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/Media Cache · ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/Peak Files

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects
What it is: Audio and video index files Premiere Pro and After Effects make from your footage so it plays and scrubs smoothly.
Without it: They're made again the next time you open projects that use that footage, which can take a while.
Managing it: Premiere Pro → Settings → Media Cache

DaVinci Resolve projects

~/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Resolve Project Library

Doesn't come back

Made by: DaVinci Resolve
What it is: DaVinci Resolve's project library: every project, timeline and grade you've made.
Without it: Your Resolve projects and timelines would go with it. The media files themselves are stored elsewhere.

Steam games

~/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Steam
What it is: Games you installed with Steam.
Without it: These games would need to download again. Most save games sync with Steam Cloud, but not all.
Managing it: Steam → Library → right-click a game → Manage → Uninstall

Minecraft

~/Library/Application Support/minecraft

Doesn't come back

Made by: Minecraft
What it is: Minecraft Java Edition's worlds, resource packs, screenshots and settings.
Without it: Your single-player worlds would go with it.

Java development kits

~/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines · /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Java
What it is: Java versions installed on this Mac. IntelliJ IDEA keeps the ones it downloads in your Library.
Without it: Apps and builds that need these Java versions won't run until you install them again.

JetBrains IDE logs

~/Library/Logs/JetBrains

Comes back on its own

Made by: JetBrains IDEs
What it is: Records JetBrains IDEs wrote about what they were doing, mostly useful for troubleshooting.
Without it: The IDEs start new logs as they run.

JetBrains Toolbox

~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/Toolbox

Doesn't come back

Made by: JetBrains Toolbox
What it is: JetBrains Toolbox and the IDEs it installed.
Without it: The IDEs Toolbox installed would go with it until you install them again.

JetBrains IDE settings

~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/*

Doesn't come back

Made by: JetBrains IDEs
What it is: Settings and plugins for one version of a JetBrains IDE.
Without it: If that version is still installed, it would start with default settings and without its plugins.

Editor caches

~/Library/Application Support/Code/Cache · ~/Library/Application Support/Code/CachedData · ~/Library/Application Support/Code/CachedExtensionVSIXs

Comes back on its own

What it is: Caches VS Code or Cursor keeps, like downloaded extension packages and compiled code.
Without it: The editor makes them again as you use it. Your settings and extensions aren't affected.

Unsaved editor changes

~/Library/Application Support/Code/Backups · ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/Backups

Doesn't come back

What it is: Unsaved changes VS Code or Cursor keeps so they survive quitting or a crash.
Without it: Edits you haven't saved in any window would be lost.

Editor project state

~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/workspaceStorage · ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/workspaceStorage

Doesn't come back

What it is: State VS Code or Cursor and their extensions keep for each project, like open editors, chat history and caches.
Without it: Projects would reopen without their layout, and extensions would lose what they stored per project.

Your VS Code settings

~/Library/Application Support/Code/User

Doesn't come back

Made by: Visual Studio Code
What it is: Your VS Code settings, keyboard shortcuts, snippets and local file history.
Without it: VS Code would go back to its defaults. Settings Sync can bring settings back if you use it.

VS Code's data

~/Library/Application Support/Code

Doesn't come back

Made by: Visual Studio Code
What it is: VS Code's settings, unsaved changes, project state and caches.
Without it: VS Code would start fresh, and unsaved changes would be lost.

Cursor's data

~/Library/Application Support/Cursor

Doesn't come back

Made by: Cursor
What it is: Cursor's settings, unsaved changes, project state and caches.
Without it: Cursor would start fresh, and unsaved changes would be lost.

Docker Desktop data

~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker

Doesn't come back

Made by: Docker Desktop
What it is: Docker Desktop's virtual machine and disk image, holding your containers, images, volumes and build cache.
Without it: Every container, image and volume would go with it, including data in volumes you haven't backed up.
Managing it: Docker Desktop → Settings → Resources, or docker system prune

UTM's data

~/Library/Containers/com.utmapp.UTM

Doesn't come back

Made by: UTM
What it is: UTM's settings and the virtual machines stored in its default location.
Without it: Virtual machines stored here, and everything saved inside them, would go with it.

Crash and diagnostic reports

~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports · /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports

Comes back on its own

Made by: macOS
What it is: Reports macOS saves when an app crashes, hangs or uses a lot of energy.
Without it: New reports appear if something crashes again. Older ones are only useful for troubleshooting.

An Apple app's data

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.*

Doesn't come back

Made by: macOS
What it is: Data and settings for an Apple app or system service, kept in its own sandbox.
Without it: The app would lose what it keeps here, which can include your own content, and its settings would reset.

Application Support

~/Library/Application Support

Doesn't come back

What it is: Where apps keep the data they make and need: libraries, databases, downloaded content and settings.
Without it: Most apps would lose their data and start as if new. Some data here, like game saves or notes, exists nowhere else.

Containers

~/Library/Containers

Doesn't come back

What it is: Data for sandboxed apps, including most Apple and App Store apps. Each app has its own folder.
Without it: Those apps would lose their settings and data, including content that exists nowhere else.

Group Containers

~/Library/Group Containers

Doesn't come back

What it is: Data apps share with their widgets, extensions and related apps, like Notes, Office or Podcasts.
Without it: Those apps would lose their shared data, including content that exists nowhere else.

Preferences

~/Library/Preferences

Doesn't come back

What it is: Settings for your apps and for macOS.
Without it: Apps and macOS would go back to their default settings.

Logs

~/Library/Logs

Comes back on its own

What it is: Records apps and macOS wrote about what they were doing, mostly useful for troubleshooting.
Without it: Apps start new logs as they run. Nothing you made is lost.

Library

~/Library

Doesn't come back

What it is: Settings, caches and data for every app you use. Finder hides it because apps manage it themselves.
Without it: Apps would lose their settings and data, and many would stop working properly.

A sandboxed app's data

~/Library/Containers/*

Doesn't come back

What it is: Everything a sandboxed app keeps on this Mac: its settings, caches and often the documents you make in it.
Without it: The app would start as if new, and anything it stores only here would be lost.

Data shared by related apps

~/Library/Group Containers/*

Doesn't come back

What it is: Data an app shares with its widgets, extensions or other apps from the same developer.
Without it: Those apps would lose what they share here, which can include your own content and settings.

An app's data

~/Library/Application Support/*

Doesn't come back

What it is: Data an app made or downloaded: libraries, databases, saved games, plug-ins or settings.
Without it: The app would lose what it keeps here. For some apps that's only caches; for others it's all your work.

An app's logs

~/Library/Logs/*

Comes back on its own

What it is: Records an app wrote about what it was doing, mostly useful for troubleshooting.
Without it: The app starts new logs as it runs. Nothing you made is lost.

Saved window state

~/Library/Saved Application State/*

Comes back on its own

Made by: macOS
What it is: What an app had open, so macOS can reopen its windows where you left off.
Without it: The app opens without restoring its previous windows the next time.

An app's settings

~/Library/Preferences/*.plist

Doesn't come back

What it is: Settings for an app or part of macOS.
Without it: That app goes back to its default settings the next time it opens.

An app's web cookies

~/Library/HTTPStorages/*

Comes back on its own

What it is: Cookies and web data an app stores when it talks to websites and online services.
Without it: The app may ask you to sign in again to services it uses.

An app's web data

~/Library/WebKit/*

Comes back on its own

What it is: Website data an app's built-in web views saved, like local storage and caches.
Without it: The app downloads it again, and pages inside the app may ask you to sign in again.

Caches

Data apps keep to be faster. Most of it comes back on its own.

Spotify's cache

~/Library/Caches/com.spotify.client

Comes back on its own

Made by: Spotify
What it is: Artwork, pages and music Spotify saved so they load faster.
Without it: Spotify downloads them again as you listen. Your playlists and library aren't affected.
Managing it: Spotify → Settings → Storage

Safari's cache

~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari

Comes back on its own

Made by: Safari
What it is: Copies of pages, images and scripts Safari downloaded so sites open faster.
Without it: Sites load a little slower until Safari downloads them again. History and bookmarks aren't affected.
Managing it: Safari → Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data

Chrome's cache

~/Library/Caches/Google/Chrome

Comes back on its own

Made by: Google Chrome
What it is: Copies of pages, images and scripts Chrome downloaded so sites open faster.
Without it: Sites load a little slower until Chrome downloads them again. Nothing you made is lost.
Managing it: Chrome → Settings → Privacy and security → Delete browsing data

Arc's cache

~/Library/Caches/Arc · ~/Library/Caches/company.thebrowser.Browser

Comes back on its own

Made by: Arc
What it is: Copies of pages, images and scripts Arc downloaded so sites open faster.
Without it: Sites load a little slower until Arc downloads them again. Nothing you made is lost.

Brave's cache

~/Library/Caches/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser

Comes back on its own

Made by: Brave
What it is: Copies of pages, images and scripts Brave downloaded so sites open faster.
Without it: Sites load a little slower until Brave downloads them again. Nothing you made is lost.
Managing it: Brave → Settings → Privacy and security → Delete browsing data

Edge's cache

~/Library/Caches/Microsoft Edge · ~/Library/Caches/com.microsoft.edgemac

Comes back on its own

Made by: Microsoft Edge
What it is: Copies of pages, images and scripts Microsoft Edge downloaded so sites open faster.
Without it: Sites load a little slower until Edge downloads them again. Nothing you made is lost.

Firefox's cache

~/Library/Caches/Firefox

Comes back on its own

Made by: Firefox
What it is: Copies of pages, images and scripts Firefox downloaded so sites open faster.
Without it: Sites load a little slower until Firefox downloads them again. Nothing you made is lost.
Managing it: Firefox → Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data

Camera Raw cache

~/Library/Caches/Adobe Camera Raw 2

Comes back on its own

Made by: Adobe Camera Raw
What it is: Previews Camera Raw makes from raw photos for Photoshop, Bridge and Lightroom Classic so they open faster.
Without it: They're made again as you open raw photos. Your photos and edits aren't affected.

Xcode's cache

~/Library/Caches/com.apple.dt.Xcode

Comes back on its own

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Temporary files Xcode keeps so it doesn't have to rebuild them each time.
Without it: Xcode rebuilds it as you work. Your projects aren't affected.

Swift package cache

~/Library/Caches/org.swift.swiftpm

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Swift Package Manager
What it is: Swift packages Xcode and SwiftPM downloaded for your projects.
Without it: Packages download again the next time a project resolves them.

CocoaPods cache

~/Library/Caches/CocoaPods

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: CocoaPods
What it is: Pods CocoaPods downloaded, kept so the next install is faster.
Without it: CocoaPods downloads them again the next time a project needs them.

Yarn cache

~/Library/Caches/Yarn · ~/.yarn/berry/cache

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Yarn
What it is: Packages Yarn downloaded, kept so installs are faster.
Without it: Yarn downloads packages again as projects need them.
Managing it: yarn cache clean

Playwright browsers

~/Library/Caches/ms-playwright

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Playwright
What it is: Browsers Playwright downloaded to run your tests.
Without it: Tests won't run until you install the browsers again with npx playwright install.

Cypress app cache

~/Library/Caches/Cypress

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Cypress
What it is: The Cypress test runner versions your projects installed.
Without it: Cypress downloads itself again the next time a project installs it.

pip cache

~/Library/Caches/pip · ~/.cache/pip

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: pip
What it is: Python packages pip downloaded, kept so installs are faster.
Without it: pip downloads packages again as projects need them.

uv cache

~/.cache/uv · ~/Library/Caches/uv

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: uv
What it is: Python packages and Python versions uv downloaded, shared by your projects.
Without it: uv downloads them again the next time a project needs them.
Managing it: uv cache prune

Poetry cache

~/Library/Caches/pypoetry

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Poetry
What it is: Poetry's package cache and the virtual environments it made for your projects.
Without it: Poetry downloads packages and recreates environments the next time you run poetry install.

Go build cache

~/Library/Caches/go-build

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Go
What it is: Compiled packages Go saved so builds are faster.
Without it: Go rebuilds them the next time you build.
Managing it: go clean -cache

Android Studio caches

~/Library/Caches/Google/AndroidStudio*

Comes back on its own

Made by: Android Studio
What it is: Indexes and caches Android Studio builds for your projects.
Without it: Android Studio rebuilds its indexes the next time you open projects, which takes a while.

JetBrains IDE caches

~/Library/Caches/JetBrains

Comes back on its own

Made by: JetBrains IDEs
What it is: Indexes and caches JetBrains IDEs build for your projects.
Without it: The IDE rebuilds its indexes the next time you open projects, which takes a while.

A downloaded app update

~/Library/Caches/*/org.sparkle-project.Sparkle

Comes back when it's needed

What it is: An update an app downloaded and staged so it can install it.
Without it: The app downloads the update again the next time it checks.

Hugging Face models

~/.cache/huggingface

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Hugging Face
What it is: AI models and datasets downloaded by Hugging Face tools and apps built on them, like Transformers and MLX.
Without it: Each model downloads again the next time something needs it, which can take a while for large ones.

A command-line tool's cache

~/.cache/*

Comes back when it's needed

What it is: Files a command-line tool downloaded or built and kept to reuse.
Without it: The tool makes or downloads them again when it needs them.

Command-line tool caches

~/.cache

Comes back when it's needed

What it is: Caches kept by command-line tools and developer libraries.
Without it: Each tool makes or downloads what it needs again.

Homebrew downloads

~/Library/Caches/Homebrew

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Homebrew
What it is: Downloads Homebrew kept after installing or upgrading packages.
Without it: Homebrew downloads them again if it needs to reinstall something.
Managing it: brew cleanup

A macOS cache

~/Library/Caches/com.apple.*

Comes back on its own

Made by: macOS
What it is: Temporary files macOS or an Apple app keeps so it doesn't have to rebuild them each time.
Without it: macOS rebuilds it as needed. Some are in use and may come back right away.

App caches

~/Library/Caches

Comes back on its own

What it is: Temporary files apps keep so they don't have to download or rebuild them each time.
Without it: Apps rebuild their caches as you use them, so some may be slower at first or ask you to sign in again.

An app's cache

~/Library/Caches/*

Comes back on its own

What it is: Temporary files an app keeps so it doesn't have to download or rebuild them each time.
Without it: The app rebuilds what it needs as you use it. It may be slower at first or ask you to sign in again.

Developer tools

Xcode, simulators, package managers, toolchains and project folders.

SSH keys and settings

~/.ssh

Doesn't come back

Made by: SSH
What it is: Your SSH keys and settings, used to sign in to servers and services like GitHub.
Without it: Your keys would go with it, so servers and services that trust them would stop letting you in.

Command-line tool settings

~/.config

Doesn't come back

What it is: Settings for command-line tools and some apps. Some also keep sign-in tokens here.
Without it: Those tools would go back to their defaults, and some would ask you to sign in again.

Xcode build data

~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Build products, indexes and logs Xcode makes for each project.
Without it: Xcode rebuilds it the next time you build or open each project, which can take a while.

Xcode archives

~/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives

Doesn't come back

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Builds you archived to ship or share, with the debug symbols needed to read their crash reports.
Without it: These builds couldn't be recreated exactly, and crash reports from those versions would be harder to read.
Managing it: Xcode → Window → Organizer

Xcode archive

any folder named *.xcarchive

Doesn't come back

Made by: Xcode
What it is: A build you archived to ship or share, with the debug symbols needed to read its crash reports.
Without it: This build couldn't be recreated exactly, and crash reports from it would be harder to read.
Managing it: Xcode → Window → Organizer

Device support files

~/Library/Developer/Xcode/iOS DeviceSupport · ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/watchOS DeviceSupport · ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/tvOS DeviceSupport

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Debug symbols Xcode copied from devices you connected, one folder per OS version.
Without it: Xcode copies them again the next time you connect a device running that version.

SwiftUI preview data

~/Library/Developer/Xcode/UserData/Previews

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Simulators and build data Xcode uses to show SwiftUI previews.
Without it: Xcode sets them up again the next time you open a preview.

Your Xcode settings

~/Library/Developer/Xcode/UserData

Doesn't come back

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Your Xcode key bindings, code snippets, themes and provisioning profiles.
Without it: Xcode would go back to its default key bindings and themes, and your snippets would be lost.

Xcode's working folder

~/Library/Developer/Xcode

Doesn't come back

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Xcode's build data, archives, device support files and your Xcode settings.
Without it: Your archives and Xcode settings would go with it. Xcode rebuilds the rest as needed.

Xcode test results

any folder named *.xcresult

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Results from a build or test run: logs, screenshots and code coverage.
Without it: That run's results would go with it. Running the tests again makes new ones.

Simulators

~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices

Doesn't come back

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Every simulator you've created, with the apps and data installed on each.
Without it: Every simulator, and the apps and data on them, would go with it. Xcode creates new default simulators as needed.
Managing it: Xcode → Window → Devices and Simulators

Simulator caches

~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Caches · /Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Caches

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Caches simulators build from their runtimes so they start faster.
Without it: Simulators rebuild them the next time they start, so the first launch takes longer.

Simulator data

~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator

Doesn't come back

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Your simulators and the caches they use.
Without it: Every simulator, and the apps and data on them, would go with it.
Managing it: Xcode → Window → Devices and Simulators

Developer tools' data

~/Library/Developer

Doesn't come back

Made by: Xcode
What it is: Data for Xcode and its simulators: build data, archives, simulators and settings.
Without it: Your archives, simulators and Xcode settings would go with it.

Swift package build folder

any folder named .build

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Swift Package Manager
What it is: Build output and checked-out dependencies for a Swift package.
Without it: The next swift build fetches dependencies and builds from scratch.

CocoaPods dependencies

any folder named Pods

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: CocoaPods
What it is: Libraries CocoaPods installed for an Xcode project.
Without it: Running pod install puts them back. The project won't build until you do.

Git repository data

any folder named .git

Doesn't come back

Made by: Git
What it is: A project's Git history: every commit, branch and stash, plus the repository's own settings.
Without it: The project's history, branches, stashes and any commits you haven't pushed would go with it. Your current files stay.

Node.js packages

any folder named node_modules

Comes back when it's needed

What it is: Packages a JavaScript project installed with npm, Yarn, pnpm or Bun.
Without it: The project won't run until you install them again, for example with npm install.

npm cache

~/.npm

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: npm
What it is: npm's download cache, plus its logs and packages npx fetched.
Without it: npm downloads packages again as projects need them.

pnpm store

~/Library/pnpm/store

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: pnpm
What it is: The single copy of every package pnpm installed, shared by all your projects.
Without it: pnpm downloads packages again the next time a project installs them.
Managing it: pnpm store prune

Bun cache

~/.bun/install/cache

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Bun
What it is: Packages Bun downloaded, kept so installs are faster.
Without it: Bun downloads packages again as projects need them.

Node.js versions

~/.nvm

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: nvm
What it is: Node.js versions you installed with nvm, and their global packages.
Without it: node and its global tools would stop working until you install nvm and those versions again.

pyenv Python versions

~/.pyenv

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: pyenv
What it is: Python versions you installed with pyenv.
Without it: Projects that use these versions won't run until you install them again with pyenv.

conda package cache

~/miniconda3/pkgs · ~/anaconda3/pkgs · ~/miniforge3/pkgs

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: conda
What it is: Packages conda downloaded to build your environments.
Without it: conda downloads them again the next time an environment needs them.
Managing it: conda clean --all

conda installation

~/miniconda3 · ~/anaconda3 · ~/miniforge3

Doesn't come back

Made by: conda
What it is: A conda installation: its Python, packages and every environment you created with it.
Without it: conda and every environment in it would go with it. You'd need to install them again to use them.

Rust toolchains

~/.rustup

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: rustup
What it is: Rust toolchains and components installed with rustup.
Without it: rustc and cargo would stop working until you install rustup and your toolchains again.

Cargo download cache

~/.cargo/registry · ~/.cargo/git

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Cargo
What it is: Crates and git dependencies Cargo downloaded for your Rust projects.
Without it: Cargo downloads them again the next time a project builds.

Cargo

~/.cargo

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Cargo
What it is: Cargo's home: downloaded crates, the cargo and rustc commands, and tools you installed with cargo install.
Without it: cargo, rustc and tools from cargo install would stop working until you reinstall them.

Go module cache

~/go/pkg/mod

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Go
What it is: Go modules downloaded for your projects.
Without it: Go downloads them again the next time a project builds.
Managing it: go clean -modcache

Go workspace

~/go

Doesn't come back

Made by: Go
What it is: Go's workspace: the module cache, tools you installed with go install, and any code kept in its src folder.
Without it: Installed Go tools and anything in src would go with it. Modules download again.

Gradle

~/.gradle

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Gradle
What it is: Gradle's caches, downloaded Gradle versions and your gradle.properties settings.
Without it: Gradle downloads what it needs on the next build. Settings or credentials in gradle.properties would be lost.

Gradle caches

~/.gradle/caches · ~/.gradle/wrapper/dists

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Gradle
What it is: Libraries, build outputs and Gradle versions downloaded for your builds.
Without it: Gradle downloads them again on the next build, which takes longer than usual.

Maven

~/.m2

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Maven
What it is: Maven's local repository of downloaded libraries, plus your Maven settings.
Without it: Maven downloads libraries again on the next build. Settings or credentials in settings.xml would be lost.

Android system images

~/Library/Android/sdk/system-images

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Android Studio
What it is: The Android versions your emulators run, downloaded by Android Studio.
Without it: Emulators for those versions won't start until Android Studio downloads them again.
Managing it: Android Studio → Settings → Languages & Frameworks → Android SDK

Android SDK

~/Library/Android/sdk

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Android Studio
What it is: Android platform tools, build tools, the emulator and system images Android Studio downloaded.
Without it: Android projects won't build until Android Studio downloads the SDK again.
Managing it: Android Studio → Settings → Languages & Frameworks → Android SDK

Android emulators

~/.android/avd

Doesn't come back

Made by: Android Emulator
What it is: Your Android emulators, with the apps and data installed on each.
Without it: Every emulator, and the apps and data on them, would go with it.
Managing it: Android Studio → Device Manager

Android tools' settings

~/.android

Doesn't come back

Made by: Android Studio
What it is: Android tools' settings, your emulators, and the debug key used to sign apps you build.
Without it: Your emulators would go with it, and a new debug key means reinstalling debug builds on your devices.

VS Code extensions

~/.vscode/extensions

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Visual Studio Code
What it is: Extensions you installed in VS Code.
Without it: VS Code would start without them. Settings Sync or the Extensions view can install them again.

Cursor extensions

~/.cursor/extensions

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Cursor
What it is: Extensions you installed in Cursor.
Without it: Cursor would start without them until you install them again.

OrbStack data

~/.orbstack

Doesn't come back

Made by: OrbStack
What it is: OrbStack's data, including the disk with your containers, images, volumes and Linux machines.
Without it: Every container, image, volume and Linux machine in OrbStack would go with it.
Managing it: docker system prune

Colima virtual machines

~/.colima

Doesn't come back

Made by: Colima
What it is: Colima's virtual machines and the disks holding your containers and images.
Without it: Every container, image and volume in Colima would go with it.
Managing it: docker system prune

AI models

Local models downloaded by AI apps. Large, and they don't regrow until you download them again.

Ollama models

~/.ollama/models

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Ollama
What it is: AI models you downloaded with Ollama.
Without it: Each model downloads again the next time you run it, which can take a while for large ones.
Managing it: ollama rm <model>

Ollama's data

~/.ollama

Doesn't come back

Made by: Ollama
What it is: Ollama's downloaded models, its key and your prompt history.
Without it: Models would need to download again, and Ollama would make a new key and history.
Managing it: ollama rm <model>

LM Studio models

~/.lmstudio/models · ~/.cache/lm-studio/models

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: LM Studio
What it is: AI models you downloaded in LM Studio.
Without it: Each model downloads again when you choose it, which can take a while for large ones.
Managing it: LM Studio → My Models

LM Studio's data

~/.lmstudio · ~/.cache/lm-studio

Doesn't come back

Made by: LM Studio
What it is: LM Studio's models, chats and settings.
Without it: Your chats in LM Studio would go with it, and models would need to download again.
Managing it: LM Studio → My Models

Photo, video and music libraries

Libraries that look like files in Finder but are folders inside.

Photos library

any folder named *.photoslibrary

Doesn't come back

Made by: Photos
What it is: Your Photos library: photos, videos, edits and albums, plus the previews Photos makes of them.
Without it: Every photo and video in it would go with it, apart from copies kept in iCloud Photos.
Managing it: Photos → Settings → iCloud → Optimize Mac Storage

iMovie library

any folder named *.imovielibrary

Doesn't come back

Made by: iMovie
What it is: An iMovie library: your projects and events, with the media you imported.
Without it: Its projects, and any media imported into it, would go with it.

Final Cut Pro library

any folder named *.fcpbundle

Doesn't come back

Made by: Final Cut Pro
What it is: A Final Cut Pro library: your events, projects and imported media, plus render and proxy files it made.
Without it: Its projects, and any media imported into it, would go with it.
Managing it: Final Cut Pro → File → Delete Generated Library Files

Logic Pro project

any folder named *.logicx

Doesn't come back

Made by: Logic Pro
What it is: A Logic Pro project, with its recordings and the settings for every track.
Without it: The project and any recordings saved inside it would go with it.

GarageBand project

any folder named *.band

Doesn't come back

Made by: GarageBand
What it is: A GarageBand project, with its recordings and the settings for every track.
Without it: The project and any recordings saved inside it would go with it.

Lightroom Classic catalog

any folder named *.lrcat

Doesn't come back

Made by: Lightroom Classic
What it is: A Lightroom Classic catalog: your edits, keywords, collections and where each photo is stored.
Without it: Every edit and collection in it would go with it. The original photos stay where they are.

Lightroom smart previews

any folder named *Smart Previews.lrdata

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Lightroom Classic
What it is: Smaller copies of your photos that let Lightroom Classic edit them while the originals are offline.
Without it: You couldn't edit photos whose originals are offline until Lightroom Classic builds smart previews again.

Lightroom previews

any folder named *Previews.lrdata

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Lightroom Classic
What it is: Previews Lightroom Classic makes so photos show quickly in the Library.
Without it: Lightroom Classic builds previews again as you browse, so photos may take a moment to appear.

Lightroom library

any folder named *.lrlibrary

Doesn't come back

Made by: Adobe Lightroom
What it is: Lightroom's local library: copies of your cloud photos plus any imports and edits not yet synced.
Without it: Photos and edits that haven't finished syncing would be lost. The rest downloads again from Adobe's cloud.

Next.js build output

any folder named .next

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Next.js
What it is: Build output and cache Next.js makes for a project.
Without it: Next.js makes it again the next time you run or build the project.

Nuxt build output

any folder named .nuxt

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Nuxt
What it is: Build output Nuxt makes for a project.
Without it: Nuxt makes it again the next time you run or build the project.

Turborepo cache

any folder named .turbo

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Turborepo
What it is: Saved task results Turborepo reuses so it doesn't repeat work.
Without it: Turborepo runs those tasks again and saves new results.

Parcel cache

any folder named .parcel-cache

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Parcel
What it is: Build cache Parcel keeps for a project.
Without it: Parcel rebuilds it the next time you build the project.

Python bytecode cache

any folder named __pycache__

Comes back on its own

Made by: Python
What it is: Compiled copies of Python files, made so scripts start faster.
Without it: Python makes them again the next time the code runs.

Python virtual environment

any folder named .venv

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Python
What it is: A project's own copy of Python and the packages installed for it.
Without it: The project needs its environment recreated and packages installed again before it runs.

pytest cache

any folder named .pytest_cache

Comes back on its own

Made by: pytest
What it is: Notes pytest keeps between runs, like which tests failed last time.
Without it: pytest makes it again on the next run.

mypy cache

any folder named .mypy_cache

Comes back on its own

Made by: mypy
What it is: Type information mypy saved so later checks are faster.
Without it: mypy makes it again the next time it checks the project.

tox environments

any folder named .tox

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: tox
What it is: Virtual environments tox made to test a project.
Without it: tox recreates them the next time you run it.

Gradle project cache

any folder named .gradle

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Gradle
What it is: Build state Gradle keeps for one project.
Without it: Gradle makes it again on the next build.

Terraform providers

any folder named .terraform

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Terraform
What it is: Providers and modules Terraform downloaded for a configuration.
Without it: Running terraform init downloads them again.

Compiled script cache

any folder named Code Cache

Comes back on its own

What it is: Scripts Chrome, or an app built on the same engine like Slack, Discord or VS Code, compiled ahead of time.
Without it: They're compiled again as you use the app. Nothing you made is lost.

Graphics cache

any folder named GPUCache · any folder named GrShaderCache · any folder named ShaderCache

Comes back on its own

What it is: Graphics code compiled for your Mac's GPU by Chrome or an app built on the same engine.
Without it: It's compiled again as you use the app. Nothing you made is lost.

Docker disk image

any folder named Docker.raw

Doesn't come back

Made by: Docker Desktop
What it is: The disk Docker Desktop's virtual machine uses for all your images, containers and volumes.
Without it: Every container, image and volume would go with it, including data in volumes you haven't backed up.
Managing it: Docker Desktop → Settings → Resources, or docker system prune

Parallels virtual machine

any folder named *.pvm

Doesn't come back

Made by: Parallels Desktop
What it is: A Parallels virtual machine: its disk, settings and snapshots.
Without it: The virtual machine, and everything installed or saved inside it, would go with it.

VMware virtual machine

any folder named *.vmwarevm

Doesn't come back

Made by: VMware Fusion
What it is: A VMware Fusion virtual machine: its disk, settings and snapshots.
Without it: The virtual machine, and everything installed or saved inside it, would go with it.

UTM virtual machine

any folder named *.utm

Doesn't come back

Made by: UTM
What it is: A UTM virtual machine: its disks and settings.
Without it: The virtual machine, and everything installed or saved inside it, would go with it.

Time Machine backup

any folder named *.backupbundle

Doesn't come back

Made by: Time Machine
What it is: A Time Machine backup stored on a network disk.
Without it: Every backup in it would go with it, and Time Machine would start again with a full backup.

Time Machine backups

any folder named Backups.backupdb

Doesn't come back

Made by: Time Machine
What it is: Time Machine backups on an older Mac OS Extended backup disk.
Without it: Every backup in it would go with it, and Time Machine would start again with a full backup.

Growing disk image

any folder named *.sparsebundle

Doesn't come back

What it is: A disk image that grows as you add to it. Time Machine uses these for network backups, and you may have made one yourself.
Without it: Everything stored inside it would go with it.

Disk image

any folder named *.dmg

Doesn't come back

What it is: A file that opens like a disk. Often an app installer you downloaded, but it can hold anything.
Without it: Whatever is inside it goes with it. If it's an installer for an app you already installed, the app keeps working.

Installer package

any folder named *.pkg

Doesn't come back

What it is: An installer for an app or tool.
Without it: Software already installed from it keeps working. You'd download the package again to reinstall.

macOS installer

any folder named Install macOS *.app

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: macOS
What it is: A full macOS installer, downloaded from the App Store or Software Update.
Without it: You can download it again from the App Store if you need to install that version.

An app

any folder named *.app

Doesn't come back

What it is: An app. Everything it needs to run is inside this one bundle.
Without it: The app would stop being available. Its settings and data in your Library stay behind.

Finder view settings

any folder named .DS_Store

Comes back on its own

Made by: Finder
What it is: A small hidden file where Finder remembers a folder's view settings and icon positions.
Without it: Finder makes a new one, and the folder's view goes back to its defaults.

macOS and shared folders

Folders macOS manages for every user.

Shared folder

/Users/Shared

Doesn't come back

What it is: Files shared by everyone who uses this Mac. Some apps, like game launchers and sound libraries, also install large content here.
Without it: Everything in it would go with it, for every account on this Mac.

Trash on another disk

any folder named .Trashes

Doesn't come back

Made by: Finder
What it is: The Trash for an external or other disk. Items you move to the Trash from that disk wait here.
Without it: These items are already in the Trash for that disk. You can still put them back from Finder.

Logic and GarageBand sounds

/Library/Application Support/Logic · /Library/Application Support/GarageBand · /Library/Audio/Apple Loops

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Logic Pro and GarageBand
What it is: Instruments, loops and sound packs Logic Pro and GarageBand downloaded.
Without it: Projects that use these sounds would play with gaps until Logic Pro or GarageBand downloads them again.
Managing it: Logic Pro → Sound Library → Sound Library Manager

Audio plug-ins

/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins · ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins

Doesn't come back

What it is: Audio Unit and VST plug-ins that music and video apps load.
Without it: Projects that use these instruments and effects would open without them until you reinstall them.

Device restore image

any folder named *.ipsw

Comes back when it's needed

What it is: A restore image for an iPhone, iPad or Mac. Finder, Apple Configurator and virtual machine apps use these.
Without it: You'd download it again from Apple if you need to restore or set up a device with it.

Simulator runtimes

/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Images · /Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Images/*.dmg · /Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Cryptex

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Xcode
What it is: The iOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS versions simulators run, downloaded by Xcode.
Without it: Simulators for those versions won't start until Xcode downloads the runtimes again.
Managing it: Xcode → Settings → Components

Simulator runtimes

/System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_*SimulatorRuntime · /System/Volumes/Data/System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_*SimulatorRuntime

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Xcode
What it is: The iOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS versions simulators run, downloaded by Xcode.
Without it: macOS protects this folder. Simulators for those versions won't start until Xcode downloads them again.
Managing it: Xcode → Settings → Components

Command Line Tools

/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Xcode Command Line Tools
What it is: Apple's compilers, git and other developer tools for Terminal, installed without Xcode.
Without it: Tools like git and clang would stop working until you install them again with xcode-select --install.

Apple Intelligence models

/System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_UAF_FM_GenerativeModels · /System/Volumes/Data/System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_UAF_FM_GenerativeModels

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: macOS
What it is: The on-device models behind Apple Intelligence.
Without it: macOS protects this folder and manages these models itself, downloading them again when needed.
Managing it: System Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri

macOS downloaded content

/System/Library/AssetsV2 · /System/Volumes/Data/System/Library/AssetsV2

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: macOS
What it is: Content macOS downloads as features need it: voices, fonts, dictionaries, language and Apple Intelligence models, and simulator runtimes.
Without it: macOS protects this folder. It downloads and clears these items itself as features need them.
Managing it: System Settings → General → Storage

Aerial wallpapers

/Library/Application Support/com.apple.idleassetsd/Customer

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: macOS
What it is: Aerial wallpaper and screen saver videos macOS downloaded.
Without it: macOS downloads an aerial again when you choose it as your wallpaper or screen saver.
Managing it: System Settings → Wallpaper

Quick Look thumbnails

/private/var/folders/*/*/C/com.apple.QuickLook.thumbnailcache

Comes back on its own

Made by: macOS
What it is: Thumbnails Quick Look and Finder made of your files.
Without it: Finder makes them again as you browse, so previews may appear a moment later.

System temporary files

/private/var/folders

Comes back on its own

Made by: macOS
What it is: Temporary files and caches macOS and apps create for each user, including Quick Look thumbnails.
Without it: macOS protects this folder and clears out old items on its own.

Swap files

/private/var/vm

Comes back on its own

Made by: macOS
What it is: Files macOS writes when apps need more memory than is free.
Without it: macOS protects this folder. It makes swap files as needed and lets them go when memory frees up or you restart.

System logs

/private/var/log

Comes back on its own

Made by: macOS
What it is: Logs macOS and system services write about what they're doing.
Without it: macOS protects most of this folder and rotates the logs itself.

macOS unified log

/private/var/db/diagnostics · /private/var/db/uuidtext

Comes back on its own

Made by: macOS
What it is: The log Console shows, written by macOS and apps. macOS trims older entries on its own.
Without it: macOS protects this folder and keeps it within limits itself.

Rosetta translations

/private/var/db/oah

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: Rosetta
What it is: Translated copies of Intel apps that Rosetta made so they run on Apple silicon.
Without it: macOS protects this folder. Rosetta translates an app again the next time it opens.

System databases

/private/var/db

Doesn't come back

Made by: macOS
What it is: Databases and records macOS needs to start up and run, like receipts for installed software.
Without it: macOS protects this folder. Your Mac depends on what's in it.

Temporary files

/private/tmp · /private/var/tmp

Comes back on its own

Made by: macOS
What it is: Temporary files from apps and command-line tools. macOS clears out older ones on its own.
Without it: Apps using files here right now could misbehave until they restart.

File change history

/System/Volumes/Data/.fseventsd · /.fseventsd

Comes back on its own

Made by: macOS
What it is: A record of changes to files that Time Machine, Spotlight and sync apps read to see what changed.
Without it: macOS protects this folder. Without it, those apps would need to look through the whole disk again.

Document versions

/System/Volumes/Data/.DocumentRevisions-V100 · /.DocumentRevisions-V100

Doesn't come back

Made by: macOS
What it is: Earlier versions of documents that apps like Pages, Preview and TextEdit save as you work.
Without it: macOS protects this folder. Without it, the versions shown under File → Revert To would be lost.

Software update downloads

/Library/Updates

Comes back when it's needed

Made by: macOS
What it is: Updates Software Update downloaded and is waiting to install.
Without it: macOS protects this folder. Software Update downloads anything it still needs again.

Caches for all users

/Library/Caches

Comes back on its own

What it is: Caches shared by macOS and apps for everyone on this Mac.
Without it: They're rebuilt as needed. Some items in use may come back right away.

Logs for all users

/Library/Logs

Comes back on its own

What it is: Logs written by macOS and apps for everyone on this Mac, including crash reports.
Without it: Apps start new logs as they run. Nothing you made is lost.

App data for all users

/Library/Application Support

Doesn't come back

What it is: Data and components for apps installed for everyone on this Mac.
Without it: Apps that keep their data or components here could stop working properly.

Library for all users

/Library

Doesn't come back

Made by: macOS
What it is: Settings, fonts, plug-ins and app data shared by everyone on this Mac.
Without it: Many apps, and parts of macOS, depend on what's in it.

macOS system

/System

Doesn't come back

Made by: macOS
What it is: macOS itself. It lives on a sealed, read-only volume.
Without it: macOS doesn't allow it to be changed or moved.

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macOS 15+ · Apple silicon and Intel