{"id":"mac-storage-basics.can-i-keep-developer-projects-on-an-external-drive","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-keep-developer-projects-on-an-external-drive","category":{"id":"mac-storage-basics","title":"Mac storage basics"},"subcategory":{"id":"developer-space","title":"Developer tools"},"question":"Can I keep my code projects and developer caches on an external drive?","alt_questions":["develop from external ssd mac","move deriveddata to external drive","projects on external drive xcode","code folder external ssd","build on external drive performance"],"short_answer":"Yes — keep projects on a fast external SSD and point tools like Xcode's DerivedData location at it. Use APFS, and expect builds to stop if the drive disconnects.","answer_markdown":"Yes, and a fast external SSD works well for it. You can keep project folders there directly, and point some tools at it — Xcode's **Settings → Locations** lets you choose a custom DerivedData location.\n\nTwo cautions: some tools behave oddly on non-APFS formats or on case-sensitive volumes, and builds stop if the drive disconnects. Storage Studio moves big developer caches to an external drive with a link left behind so tools keep using their usual paths — one of the workflows in its manual. See [moving folders](/faq/moving-folders/).","answer_html":"

Yes, and a fast external SSD works well for it. You can keep project folders there directly, and point some tools at it — Xcode's Settings → Locations lets you choose a custom DerivedData location.

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Two cautions: some tools behave oddly on non-APFS formats or on case-sensitive volumes, and builds stop if the drive disconnects. Storage Studio moves big developer caches to an external drive with a link left behind so tools keep using their usual paths — one of the workflows in its manual. See moving folders.

","answer_text":"Yes, and a fast external SSD works well for it. You can keep project folders there directly, and point some tools at it — Xcode's Settings → Locations lets you choose a custom DerivedData location.\n\nTwo cautions: some tools behave oddly on non-APFS formats or on case-sensitive volumes, and builds stop if the drive disconnects. Storage Studio moves big developer caches to an external drive with a link left behind so tools keep using their usual paths — one of the workflows in its manual. See moving folders.","tags":["developer","external drive","xcode"],"related":[{"id":"mac-storage-basics.is-it-safe-to-delete-deriveddata","question":"Is it safe to delete Xcode's DerivedData folder?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/is-it-safe-to-delete-deriveddata"},{"id":"mac-storage-basics.is-an-external-ssd-a-good-way-to-add-storage","question":"Is an external SSD a good way to get more storage on a Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/is-an-external-ssd-a-good-way-to-add-storage"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Can I keep my code projects and developer caches on an external drive? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Yes — keep projects on a fast external SSD and point tools like Xcode's DerivedData location at it. Use APFS, and expect builds to stop if the drive disconnects.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Mac storage basics","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/"},{"name":"Can I keep my code projects and developer caches on an external drive?","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-keep-developer-projects-on-an-external-drive"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-keep-developer-projects-on-an-external-drive","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I keep my code projects and developer caches on an external drive?","alternateName":["develop from external ssd mac","move deriveddata to external drive","projects on external drive xcode","code folder external ssd","build on external drive performance"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, and a fast external SSD works well for it. You can keep project folders there directly, and point some tools at it — Xcode's Settings → Locations lets you choose a custom DerivedData location.\n\nTwo cautions: some tools behave oddly on non-APFS formats or on case-sensitive volumes, and builds stop if the drive disconnects. Storage Studio moves big developer caches to an external drive with a link left behind so tools keep using their usual paths — one of the workflows in its manual. See moving folders.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-keep-developer-projects-on-an-external-drive"}}]},"fragment":"
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Mac storage basics · Developer tools

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Can I keep my code projects and developer caches on an external drive?

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Short answer: Yes — keep projects on a fast external SSD and point tools like Xcode's DerivedData location at it. Use APFS, and expect builds to stop if the drive disconnects.

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Yes, and a fast external SSD works well for it. You can keep project folders there directly, and point some tools at it — Xcode's Settings → Locations lets you choose a custom DerivedData location.

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Two cautions: some tools behave oddly on non-APFS formats or on case-sensitive volumes, and builds stop if the drive disconnects. Storage Studio moves big developer caches to an external drive with a link left behind so tools keep using their usual paths — one of the workflows in its manual. See moving folders.

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