---
id: mac-storage-basics.what-is-the-containers-folder
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-the-containers-folder
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Caches, logs and temporary files"
question: "What is the Containers folder in my Library, and can I clean it?"
alt_questions:
  - "library containers huge mac"
  - "delete containers folder mac"
  - "group containers size"
  - "app sandbox container mac"
  - "containers folder storage"
short_answer: "They hold sandboxed apps' private data — caches, settings and often the only copy of documents. Don't delete them wholesale; clean up via each app or for uninstalled apps."
tags: ["containers", "library", "apps"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-application-support-folder", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-are-cache-files-stored-on-a-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What is the Containers folder in my Library, and can I clean it?

`~/Library/Containers` and `~/Library/Group Containers` hold data for sandboxed apps — mostly App Store apps and Apple's own apps. Each app's container is its private Library, with its own caches, settings and documents.

Don't delete containers wholesale: for many apps they hold the only copy of data (Mail, Notes and Messages-related apps among them). Clean up from inside each app, or remove a container only for an app you've uninstalled.