Is it safe to delete TV media folder?
Movies, TV shows and home videos in the Apple TV app's library on this Mac.
Review first
It's your own data, or hard to recreate. Decide item by item.
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What it is
The Apple TV app keeps the video files in its library here: movies and TV shows you downloaded from Apple, and home videos you added yourself. Finder shows the folder as Media. Purchases from Apple can be downloaded again, but videos you added may exist only here. Removing files here directly leaves items in the TV library that the app can't play.
If it's removed
Purchased movies and shows can be streamed or downloaded again. Home videos you delete and move to the Trash are gone once it's emptied, unless you have another copy.
What to do instead
In the Apple TV app, click Downloaded in the sidebar, move the pointer over an item, click the More button, then click Delete from Library. To remove movies and shows you've watched automatically, turn on Optimize Storage in System Settings > General > Storage.
The free analyzer finds it and explains it, with these steps. The app doesn't remove it for you.
Sources
- support.apple.com/en-us/118410
- support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/optimize-storage-space-sysp4ee93ca4/mac
- discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250006206
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.