---
id: mac-storage-basics.can-i-delete-iso-and-img-files
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-delete-iso-and-img-files
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Finding big files, Downloads and the Trash"
question: "Can I delete .iso and .img files on my Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "what is an iso file mac"
  - "delete iso after install"
  - "large iso files mac"
  - "img files safe to delete"
  - "linux iso taking space"
  - "windows iso mac storage"
short_answer: "Usually yes — they're disk images, often OS installers, and aren't needed once installed. Keep or archive one only if you'll reinstall, and check no virtual machine still uses it."
tags: ["iso", "disk image", "installer"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-are-disk-images-and-sparse-bundles", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-delete-dmg-files-after-installing"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can I delete .iso and .img files on my Mac?

Usually, yes. .iso and .img files are disk images — typically installers for an operating system, or a virtual machine's install media. Once you've installed what they contained, they aren't needed to run it.

Keep one only if you expect to reinstall and it's hard to download again; otherwise delete it or move it to an external drive. Don't delete an image a virtual machine is still using as its disk — check the VM's settings first. More on disk images: [disk images and sparse bundles](https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-are-disk-images-and-sparse-bundles).