Is it safe to delete System log files?
Text log files that macOS and some system services keep in the hidden /private/var/log folder.
Managed by macOS
macOS manages it. It's never moved to the Trash.
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What it is
macOS writes some logs as plain text files here, such as system.log, install.log and wifi.log, and you can view them in the Console app. Most of what macOS records now goes to the unified log instead. macOS rotates these files on a schedule, compressing older copies and removing the oldest, so they stay within set size limits.
If it's removed
Removing these files loses the history they hold, which can help with troubleshooting. macOS keeps their size in check without help.
What to do instead
Leave these to macOS. It rotates the log files and removes old copies on its own.
The free analyzer finds it and explains it. The app never removes it.
Sources
- support.apple.com/guide/console/reports-cnsl664be99a/mac
- keith.github.io/xcode-man-pages/asl.conf.5.html
- keith.github.io/xcode-man-pages/newsyslog.conf.5.html
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.