How to remove app containers on Mac

Learn what app containers are on a Mac and where they are stored. Check each folder carefully, because containers can hold an app’s saved data.

Edited by the Uninstallzy teamUpdated 29 October 2026For macOS 15 or later

App containers are folders where some apps keep their data. They are in the Containers folder in your Library, and many App Store apps use them. Because a container can hold your saved work, check it carefully before you remove anything.

Quick steps

  1. Move the app to the Trash.
  2. Open ~/Library/Containers in Finder.
  3. Find the folder named after the app.
  4. Check what is inside.
  5. Move the folder to the Trash only if it clearly belongs to the removed app.

What a container is

A container is a private folder that macOS creates for an app. Apps that run in a sandbox, which limits what they can reach on your Mac, often keep their data there. The app’s name or bundle name usually appears in the folder name.

Step 1: Move the app to the Trash

Remove the app first, so you know which container belongs to it.

Step 2: Open the Containers folder

  1. In Finder, press Shift, Command, and G.
  2. Type ~/Library/Containers and press Return.

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Step 3: Check the container

Open the container and look inside. Some hold documents, saved games, or settings you may want later. Copy anything important to a safe place before you remove the folder.

Warning: A container can hold your saved work. Check it before you remove it. Warning: Do not remove containers for apps that come with macOS.

Step 4: Move the container to the Trash

Select the container and press Command and Delete. Put it back from the Trash if you need it.

Frequently asked questions

Are containers the same as app support files?

No. Containers are a separate place where some apps store their data. Support files live in the Application Support folder.

Can I get a container back?

If you have not emptied the Trash, yes. Otherwise you may need a backup.

Do all apps use containers?

No. Only some apps, mostly those that run in a sandbox, use containers.

Want one simple step instead?

Uninstallzy shows every app with its size. Pick the app, confirm once, and it goes to the Trash.

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One-time purchase. Works on macOS 15 or later, on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.

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