~/Library/Containers is where macOS stores the sandboxed data for every App Store and sandboxed app — preferences, caches, attachments, and saved state. It routinely reaches tens of gigabytes, but deleting the whole folder is destructive. The safe approach: never delete the parent folder, only remove individual subfolders that belong to apps you have already uninstalled. This guide is for Mac users trying to reclaim space without breaking their apps.
TL;DR
~/Library/Containersholds private, per-app data for sandboxed and App Store apps.- Never delete the whole Containers folder — it logs you out and wipes app settings.
- It's safe to delete subfolders named after apps you've already uninstalled.
- Each subfolder is named by bundle ID (e.g.
com.apple.mail,com.microsoft.Word). - For apps you still use, clear cache inside the app, not by hand.
What does sandboxing put in the Containers folder?
The Mac Containers folder exists because sandboxed apps cannot write to arbitrary locations on disk. Instead, macOS gives each sandboxed or App Store app a private folder inside ~/Library/Containers named after its bundle identifier — for example com.apple.mail or com.microsoft.Word. Everything that app needs lives inside that one directory:
- Preferences and settings
- Cached downloads and attachments
- Local databases and saved state
That is why the folder grows so large: it is essentially the combined working set of every sandboxed app you have ever installed.
How do I clean Containers without breaking apps?
The rule is simple: delete per-app subfolders, never the parent. Here is the safe procedure:
- Open Finder.
- Press Command + Shift + G.
- Paste
~/Library/Containers/and press Return. - Switch to List View and sort by Size (enable Calculate All Sizes in View › Show View Options).
- Check your Applications folder, then delete only subfolders whose app has already been uninstalled.
- For apps you still use, clear their cache inside the app — never by hand.
| Action | Safe? | Why |
|---|---|---|
Delete the whole ~/Library/Containers folder |
No | Logs you out of accounts, wipes settings, destroys unsaved data |
| Delete a subfolder for an uninstalled app | Yes | The app is gone; its leftover data is just clutter |
| Delete a subfolder for an app you still use | No | Resets the app and can lose local data |
| Clear cache inside the app you still use | Yes | The app manages it safely |
Is it safe to delete the Containers folder?
Deleting individual leftover subfolders is safe; deleting the entire Containers folder is not. Removing the parent folder logs you out of mail and other accounts, wipes app preferences, and can destroy unsaved local data in sandboxed apps. By contrast, deleting a subfolder for an app you have already uninstalled only removes orphaned data that nothing uses anymore. When in doubt, leave a subfolder in place — the space it holds is rarely worth the risk of breaking an app you still rely on. Always make sure you have a Time Machine or other backup before deleting anything in ~/Library.
FAQ
Can I delete the whole Containers folder to free space?
No. Deleting the entire ~/Library/Containers folder logs you out of accounts, erases app settings, and can destroy unsaved data. Only delete subfolders for apps you've already uninstalled.
How do I know which Containers subfolders are safe to remove?
Each subfolder is named after an app's bundle ID, like com.microsoft.Word. Compare them to your Applications folder — if the app is no longer installed, its subfolder is safe to delete.
Why is my Containers folder so large?
Because it stores caches, attachments, and saved state for every sandboxed and App Store app you've ever used. Active apps with large attachment caches (Mail, messaging apps) are usually the biggest contributors.
Should I clear cache by deleting Containers subfolders?
Not for apps you still use. Clear their cache from inside the app instead. Manually deleting an active app's container can reset it or lose local data.
For the broader "what is taking up space on my Mac" picture, read mysterious System Data on Mac and how to safely clean the disk. For privacy-safe cleanup on your phone, explore the clean up phone storage solutions hub, and if you want the same local-only, nothing-uploaded approach on mobile, see Cleanor for iOS.