Is it safe to delete Android SDK?

The Android SDK: platforms, build tools, the emulator and other packages used to build and run Android apps.

Usually safe

It can be recreated, but it takes a download, a reinstall or the tool's own command.

~/Library/Android/sdk

/opt/homebrew/share/android-commandlinetools

/usr/local/share/android-commandlinetools

What it is

Android Studio's SDK Manager installs SDK packages here, including a platform for each Android version, build tools, the emulator and platform tools. The Android command-line tools from Homebrew use their own folder with the same layout. The SDK grows as you install packages for new Android versions, and older ones stay until you uninstall them. Emulator system images and NDK versions are listed separately.

If it's removed

Projects that need an uninstalled package can't build until you install it again with the SDK Manager.

What to do instead

In Android Studio, choose Tools > SDK Manager, clear the checkboxes next to packages you no longer need, and click Apply.

FREE

The free analyzer finds it and explains it, with these steps. The app doesn't remove it for you.

Sources

Last checked on 26 Sep 2026. Every entry is written and checked by hand; the app and the command-line tool use the same words.