System Data
What Storage settings adds up under System Data: caches, logs, local snapshots, virtual memory, macOS's own assets and app data.
24 entries in 10 groups.
- Safe
- Its owner recreates it by itself when it needs it, and nothing you made is lost.
- Usually safe
- It can be recreated, but it takes a download, a reinstall or the tool's own command.
- Review first
- It's your own data, or hard to recreate. Decide item by item.
- Managed by macOS
- macOS manages it. It's never moved to the Trash.
Time Machine local snapshots
App caches
- App cachesData that apps and macOS services keep so they can load things faster. Apps create it again when they need it.Safe~/
Library/ Caches/ * - Sandboxed app cachesCached data that sandboxed apps, such as most apps from the App Store, keep inside their own containers.Safe~/
Library/ Containers/ */ Data/ Library/ Caches
Logs and crash reports
- App logsLog files that apps and macOS services write in your Library folder to record what they do.Safe~/
Library/ Logs/ * - Core dumpsCopies of a crashed process's memory that macOS saves in /cores, only when core dumps have been turned on.Review first/
cores/ * - Crash and diagnostic reportsReports macOS saves when an app crashes, stops responding or uses a lot of resources. You can view them in the Console app.Safe~/
Library/ Logs/ DiagnosticReports/ * - Logs for all usersLog files that helper tools, installers and macOS services write in the Library folder at the top of your disk.Usually safe/
Library/ Logs/ * - System log filesText log files that macOS and some system services keep in the hidden /private/var/log folder.Managed by macOS/
private/ var/ log - Unified logThe log where macOS and apps record most of their messages, stored in a compressed format that the Console app reads.Managed by macOS/
private/ var/ db/ diagnostics
Temporary files
- Per-user temporary files and cachesPrivate temporary folders and caches that macOS creates for each user account, in hidden folders with random names.Managed by macOS/
private/ var/ folders - Shared temporary folder (tmp)A folder shared by all users where apps, installers and command-line tools put short-lived files.Managed by macOS/
private/ tmp
Swap and sleep image
Spotlight index
- Core Spotlight indexThe search index for content inside apps, such as mail and notes, that apps add to Spotlight.Managed by macOS~/
Library/ Metadata/ CoreSpotlight - Spotlight indexThe index Spotlight keeps for each disk so it can find files, and what's inside them, quickly.Managed by macOS/
System/ Volumes/ Data/ .Spotlight-V100
macOS assets and Apple Intelligence
- Apple Intelligence modelsThe on-device language and image models that Apple Intelligence features use.Managed by macOS/
System/ Library/ AssetsV2/ com_apple_MobileAsset_UAF_FM_* - macOS downloaded assetsParts of macOS downloaded after installation, such as speech and language data, voices, fonts, dictionaries and on-device models.Managed by macOS/
System/ Library/ AssetsV2/ *
macOS caches
- Rosetta translation cacheTranslated copies of apps and tools made for Intel-based Macs, which Rosetta keeps so they open faster next time.Managed by macOS/
private/ var/ db/ oah - Shared app and system cachesCaches that apps and macOS services keep for every user of this Mac, in the Library folder at the top of your disk.Usually safe/
Library/ Caches/ *
macOS installers and updates
- macOS installersFull macOS installer apps, such as Install macOS Tahoe, left in your Applications folder after a download.Usually safe/
Applications/ Install {macOS,OS X} *.app - Software update downloadsFiles Software Update downloads and keeps until an update is installed.Managed by macOS/
Library/ Updates
App data
- App containersThe private folder a sandboxed app, such as most apps from the App Store, uses as its own home for data, settings and caches.Review first~/
Library/ Containers/ * - Application Support foldersData that apps create and manage for you, such as libraries, databases, downloads and settings, in a folder for each app.Review first~/
Library/ Application Support/ * - Document versionsEarlier versions of documents that apps like Pages, TextEdit and Preview save as you work, so you can go back to them.Managed by macOS/
System/ Volumes/ Data/ .DocumentRevisions-V100 - Group containersShared folders where apps from the same developer, and their extensions and widgets, keep data they all use.Review first~/
Library/ Group Containers/ *