Is a Container tmp Folder Safe to Delete?
Yes. Data/tmp inside an app container is scratch space. Maps, media analysis, and similar services often leave hundreds of megabytes here.
Side effects: In-progress downloads or temp working files for that app are discarded. The app recreates tmp as needed.
What is ~/Library/Containers/*/Data/tmp?
Sandboxed apps write temporary files to ~/Library/Containers/<bundle>/Data/tmp. On many Macs, com.apple.geod (Maps/location) is a large example. This is not your documents or settings. Safe to delete.
Is it safe to delete?
Yes — ~/Library/Containers/*/Data/tmp is generally safe to delete. The data in this folder is temporary and will be recreated by the application when needed.
Before deleting, make sure:
- You don't have any important unsaved work in the related application
- You're not in the middle of a critical task that might need this cached data
- You understand that initial load times may be slower after deletion
What happens after deletion?
In-progress downloads or temp working files for that app are discarded. The app recreates tmp as needed. 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
Use MacMop
MacMop finds this folder automatically and lets you delete it safely with one click.
Download MacMopTerminal
rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/*/Data/tmpWarning: This command permanently deletes the folder. Double-check the path before running.
Finder
- Open Finder
- Press ⌘ + Shift + G (Go to Folder)
- Paste:
~/Library/Containers/*/Data/tmp - Move the folder to Trash
MacMop scans all your hidden caches and tells you exactly what's safe to delete.
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