Is it safe to delete Simulator runtimes?
The iOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS system images that simulators run on, each several gigabytes.
Managed by macOS
macOS manages it. It's never moved to the Trash.
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What it is
Xcode downloads a simulator runtime for each platform and OS version you install in its Components settings. macOS stores each runtime as a protected disk image and mounts it as a read-only volume while it's in use; the mounted volume doesn't take additional space. Runtimes stay installed until you delete them, even after you update Xcode.
If it's removed
Simulators that use a deleted runtime become unavailable until you install it again. You can download it again in Components settings, which takes a while.
What to do instead
In Xcode, choose Xcode > Settings and click Components. Click the information button next to a simulator runtime you no longer need, then click Delete.
The free analyzer finds it and explains it, with these steps. The app doesn't remove it for you.
Sources
- developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/downloading-and-installing-additional-xcode-components
- developer.apple.com/forums/thread/812992
- furbo.org/2022/11/09/managing-xcode-downloads
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.