Yes, you can delete the Application Support folder, but only the parts that belong to apps you no longer use

The Application Support folder stores settings, preferences, cache files, and other data that individual apps need to run. On your Mac, it lives in Library > Application Support, hidden inside your home folder. Deleting it wholesale will break every app on your computer. Deleting the subfolder for a single app you've already removed is usually safe — but "usually" is the problem, because some apps store critical data there that doesn't come back.

The real question isn't whether you can delete it. The real question is whether you should, and which parts. Most of the time, you don't need to touch this folder at all. When you do, the safest approach is to delete only the subfolder for one specific app, and only after you've uninstalled that app completely.

Key Takeaways

  • The Application Support folder holds settings and data for every app on your Mac — deleting the whole folder breaks everything.
  • You can safely delete the subfolder for a single app only after you've uninstalled that app from your Applications folder.
  • Some apps store passwords, licenses, or project files in Application Support that won't return if you delete the folder.
  • Before you delete anything, back up your Mac using Time Machine so you can restore the folder if something stops working.
  • Restarting your Mac after deleting an app's subfolder helps the system clean up any remaining references.

How to find the Application Support folder on your Mac

The folder is hidden by default because Apple doesn't want you accidentally opening it. To see it, open Finder and click Go in the menu bar at the top. Select Go to Folder. Type ~/Library/Application Support and press Enter. You'll see a list of subfolders, each one named after an app or company.

Each subfolder inside Application Support belongs to one app. For example, you might see folders named "Google Chrome", "Microsoft", "Adobe", or "Slack". These folders contain everything that app needs to remember about how you use it. If you see a folder for an app you don't recognize, search your Applications folder first to see if that app is still installed.

What's actually inside Application Support and why it matters

Application Support folders hold different things depending on the app. Some common contents are: saved preferences and settings, cached data to make the app load faster, license information and activation keys, browser history and bookmarks (for browsers), email messages and account settings (for mail apps), and project files or documents the app created.

This is why deleting the folder for an active app breaks it. If you delete Chrome's Application Support folder while Chrome is still installed, Chrome will lose all your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords. If you delete Adobe's folder, you might lose your license activation and have to re-enter your serial number. The app will usually recreate the folder the next time it runs, but it won't recreate the data that was inside it.

The safe way to delete an app's subfolder

First, make sure the app is completely uninstalled. Open your Applications folder (click the Finder icon in the dock, then click Applications in the sidebar). Look for the app you want to remove. If it's there, drag it to the Trash. Empty the Trash. Wait a few seconds.

Now go back to Application Support using the steps above. Find the subfolder that matches the app you just deleted. It might have the exact same name, or it might be under the company name — for example, if you deleted Slack, look for a folder called "Slack" or check inside a folder called "Slack Technologies". Select that subfolder and drag it to the Trash. Empty the Trash again.

Restart your Mac. This gives the system time to clean up any remaining files or references to the app. After the restart, the app should be completely gone, and you'll have freed up whatever space that subfolder was using.

When you should not delete Application Support

Do not delete the entire Application Support folder. Do not delete subfolders for apps you still use or might use again. Do not delete subfolders if you're not certain what app they belong to — search the folder name online first, or ask in a Mac support forum.

If an app is crashing or behaving strangely, deleting its Application Support folder might fix it, but only as a last resort. The app will lose all its settings and you'll have to set it up again from scratch. Try restarting your Mac or reinstalling the app first. If you do decide to delete the folder to troubleshoot, make sure you have a backup first.

Back up before you delete anything

Before you delete any subfolder from Application Support, turn on Time Machine if you haven't already. Open System Settings, click General, then Time Machine, and click Turn On. Connect an external hard drive or let it use your built-in storage. Time Machine will automatically back up your entire Mac, including the Application Support folder.

Once Time Machine is running, you can delete subfolders with confidence. If something stops working, you can restore the folder from your backup. Open Time Machine, navigate to the date before you deleted the folder, find the Application Support folder, and restore it. This takes the guesswork out of the decision.

How much space you'll actually free up

Most Application Support subfolders are small — usually between 1 and 100 megabytes each. Some can be larger. Google Chrome's folder might be 500 megabytes or more if you have a lot of browser history. Adobe apps can use several gigabytes. If your Mac is running low on storage, deleting old app folders can help, but it's usually not the biggest space-saver. Deleting old downloads, emptying your Trash, or removing large video or photo files will free up much more space.

To see how much space a subfolder is using, right-click it in Finder and select Get Info. The window that opens will show the size at the top. If it's less than 100 megabytes, deleting it won't make much difference to your storage. If it's several gigabytes, it might be worth removing — but only if you're certain you won't need that app again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting Application Support speed up my Mac?

Not noticeably. The folder holds data, not active processes, so removing it won't make your Mac run faster. If an app is crashing repeatedly, deleting its Application Support folder might help, but restarting your Mac or reinstalling the app usually works first. Storage space does affect performance if your drive is almost full, so deleting large subfolders might help in that specific case.

What if I delete a subfolder and the app stops working?

Restore it from your Time Machine backup. Open Time Machine, go back to the date before you deleted the folder, find Application Support, and restore it. If you don't have a backup, the app will usually recreate the folder the next time it runs, but you'll lose any settings or data that was stored there.

Can I delete Application Support for an app I uninstalled years ago?

Yes, it's safe to delete subfolders for apps you've already uninstalled and don't plan to use again. The folder is just taking up space at that point. If you might reinstall the app someday and want to keep your old settings, leave it alone — the folder will be there waiting.

Is Application Support the same as the Caches folder?

No. The Caches folder (also in Library) holds temporary data that apps use to load faster. Deleting Caches is usually safer than deleting Application Support because apps can recreate cache files. Application Support holds permanent settings and data that won't come back if you delete it.

Do I need to restart my Mac after deleting a subfolder?

It's a good idea. Restarting gives the system time to clean up any remaining references to the app and prevents any conflicts. You don't have to, but it takes five minutes and eliminates potential problems.