Is it safe to delete Shared temporary folder (tmp)?
A folder shared by all users where apps, installers and command-line tools put short-lived files.
Managed by macOS
macOS manages it. It's never moved to the Trash.
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What it is
Apps, installers and command-line tools use /private/tmp, also known as /tmp, for files they only need for a while. Every user and process can write here. Each day, macOS removes items that haven't been opened or changed for three days.
If it's removed
Removing items that are still in use can make the app or tool that created them fail.
What to do instead
Leave it to macOS. It clears out old items every day.
FREE
The free analyzer finds it and explains it. The app never removes it.
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.