Is it safe to delete Carthage Build folders?
Frameworks that Carthage built or downloaded for a project, kept in its Carthage/Build folder.
Usually safe
It can be recreated, but it takes a download, a reinstall or the tool's own command.
~/
- Only when it contains .*.version
- Never inside ~/
Library
What it is
Carthage builds each dependency listed in a project's Cartfile, or downloads a prebuilt copy, and puts the frameworks in Carthage/Build, where the Xcode project links to them. Carthage can recreate the folder from the versions recorded in Cartfile.resolved, but the project doesn't build until it does. The Checkouts folder next to it, which holds the dependencies' source code, isn't included.
If it's removed
The project doesn't build until Carthage builds or downloads its frameworks again, which can take a while.
How it's removed
Moved to the Trash, where you can restore it.
The free analyzer finds it and explains it. Removing it is Pro, after a review sheet that lists every move and command. It's never checked for you: it waits for your choice.
Sources
- github.com/Carthage/Carthage
- github.com/Carthage/Carthage/blob/master/Source/CarthageKit/Constants.swift
- github.com/Carthage/Carthage/blob/master/Source/CarthageKit/VersionFile.swift
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.