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Is /Library/Android/sdk Safe to Delete?

Developer ToolsTypical size: 10-60GB
Use Caution

Only if you do not need Android Studio right now. The SDK, NDK, and system images are re-downloadable but huge.

Side effects: Android Studio will re-download platforms, emulators, and the NDK (many GB).

What is ~/Library/Android/sdk?

The Android SDK is not a cache, but it is fully reinstallable from Android Studio's SDK Manager. System images and NDK folders are the usual space hogs. If you still build Android apps, delete unused platforms/images rather than the whole sdk folder.

Is it safe to delete?

Use caution — While parts of ~/Library/Android/sdk may be safe to delete, you should carefully review the contents before proceeding.

Consider backing up important data before deleting, and only remove filesyou're certain aren't needed.

What happens after deletion?

Android Studio will re-download platforms, emulators, and the NDK (many GB). The folder will be recreated automatically by the application when needed. This process is typically seamless but may take some time depending on the amount of data that needs to be regenerated.

How to delete it

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Terminal

rm -rf ~/Library/Android/sdk

Warning: This command permanently deletes the folder. Double-check the path before running.

Finder

  1. Open Finder
  2. Press ⌘ + Shift + G (Go to Folder)
  3. Paste: ~/Library/Android/sdk
  4. Move the folder to Trash

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