Is it safe to delete Mail Downloads?

Copies of email attachments that Mail saves here when you open them from a message.

Usually safe

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

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

What it is

When you open an attachment, Mail saves a temporary copy in this folder so another app can open it. By default, Mail deletes a copy when you delete its message, but copies from messages you keep stay here, and so do copies you edited. The original attachments stay in your messages, so Mail saves a new copy the next time you open one.

If it's removed

If you edited an attachment you opened from Mail and saved it in place, the edited version may exist only here, so check the folder first. Unedited copies are saved again when you reopen an attachment.

How it's removed

Moved to the Trash, where you can restore it. Quit Mail first.

PRO

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

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.