---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-free-space-from-android-studio-and-emulators
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-free-space-from-android-studio-and-emulators
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Developer tools"
question: "How do I free space used by Android Studio and its emulators?"
alt_questions:
  - "android emulator taking space mac"
  - "android sdk size mac"
  - "delete avd mac"
  - "gradle cache huge mac"
  - "android studio storage cleanup"
short_answer: "Delete unused emulators in Device Manager, remove old platforms and system images in SDK Manager, and clear ~/.gradle/caches if needed (dependencies re-download)."
tags: ["android studio", "emulator", "gradle"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-delete-old-ios-simulators", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clean-npm-yarn-and-pip-caches"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I free space used by Android Studio and its emulators?

Android development stores large data in a few places:

- **Emulators (AVDs)** — delete unused ones from Android Studio's **Device Manager**; each can be many gigabytes.
- **SDK packages** — remove old platforms and system images in the **SDK Manager**.
- **Gradle caches** — in `~/.gradle/caches`; clearing them means dependencies re-download on the next build.

Quit Android Studio before deleting anything by hand.