What Is /Library/Application Support on Mac?
System (root-owned)Updated
- Full path
/Library/Application Support
- Scope
- System (root-owned)Shared by every account on the Mac and owned by macOS (root).
- Freshist & this folder
- Freshist checks this folder when uninstalling an app. When you uninstall an app, Freshist only considers items directly inside this folder whose name matches the app's bundle ID. They're never pre-selected, and because the folder is owned by macOS (root), selected items are deleted permanently by Freshist's signed helper rather than moved to the Trash.
From Freshist's own cleaning rules — the same catalog the app uses.
Shared data for every account
Most app data belongs to one person and lives in ~/Library/Application Support. Some data makes more sense once per Mac: a 20 GB instrument library, a site license, an update service's files or resources for a driver. Installers that run with administrator rights put those in /Library/Application Support, which every account on the Mac can read but only an administrator can change.
You'll typically find three kinds of folders:
| Folder | Example contents | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor folders (named after a company or product) | Licensing data, shared plug-ins, updaters | Remove only after uninstalling that vendor's software |
| Apple app content (GarageBand, Logic, ProApps) | Sound libraries, loops, templates | Manage from the app; can be large |
Apple and com.apple.* | System and privacy data | Never touch |
The com.apple.TCC folder, for example, stores the privacy permissions that decide which apps can use your camera, microphone, files and screen. macOS protects it, and damaging it causes permission problems across the system.
Why it grows and why leftovers stay
Dragging an app to the Trash never touches this folder. The app's uninstaller, if it has one, may or may not clean it. Licensing and update components are often shared between several apps from the same vendor, so they're deliberately left in place as long as any of that vendor's apps might still be installed. Once you've removed all of them, the vendor folder is a leftover.
Folder names are inconsistent. Some use a bundle ID like com.example.App, but many use a company name (Example Software) or an older product name, which makes them harder to match to an app.
Inspecting it read-only
ls -la "/Library/Application Support"
sudo du -sh "/Library/Application Support"/* | sort -h
sudo asks for your administrator password because some subfolders can't be read otherwise. du only measures; it doesn't change anything. Expect a few folders to report "Operation not permitted" even with sudo; those are protected by macOS.
Removing leftovers safely
- Run the vendor's uninstaller first if one exists. It knows which components are shared and may also unload background services.
- Make sure no app from that vendor remains in
/Applications. - In Finder, choose Go → Go to Folder…, enter
/Library/Application Support, and move the vendor's folder to the Trash. Finder asks for an administrator password. - Restart, then check that your other apps still open normally before you empty the Trash.
Never remove Apple, anything starting with com.apple., or a folder you can't identify. For sound content from Apple's music apps, follow Apple's instructions for moving or removing it instead of deleting folders in Finder.
Where else to look
Software that installs data here usually also installs background components in /Library/LaunchDaemons, /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools, plus an installer receipt in /private/var/db/receipts. Freshist's handling of this folder, shown above, only covers items named after an app's bundle ID, so vendor folders with other names are yours to check by hand.
Sources
- Mac OS X directories: the Library folder (Apple File System Programming Guide)
- Install and uninstall apps from the internet or a disc on Mac (Apple Support)
- Move Logic Pro for Mac and MainStage content (Apple Support)
Frequently asked questions
Why is /Library/Application Support so large?
Music content is the usual reason. GarageBand, Logic Pro and third-party instruments keep loops, sound libraries and impulse responses here, which can take many gigabytes. Downloaded aerial screen saver videos can also add up.
Can I move the Logic or GarageBand sound library somewhere else?
Follow Apple's steps instead of moving folders in Finder. Logic Pro 11 and earlier have a Relocate Sound Library command; Logic Pro 12 keeps its library as a bundle in your Music folder that you can drag elsewhere. Apple Loops and third-party content stay where they are.
What's the difference between this folder and ~/Library/Application Support?
The one in your home folder belongs to your account and you can change it freely. This one is shared by every account on the Mac and owned by the system, so changes need administrator rights and affect everyone.