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What is iOS DeviceSupport on a Mac, and is it safe to delete?

~/Library/Developer/Xcode/iOS DeviceSupport
~/Library/Developer/Xcode/watchOS DeviceSupport

By Parsa Nasirimehr

Yes, for versions your devices no longer run. iOS DeviceSupport holds debug symbols Xcode copies from your iPhone or iPad, one folder for each device and iOS version you've debugged on. Keep a version's folder if you still need to read crash logs from devices on it; Xcode uses these symbols to make them readable.

How big it gets

On the Mac we measured, a working developer's Mac on macOS 27: 26.5 GB in 4 folders, 6.5 to 6.8 GB each, such as iPhone19,4 27.2 (24B91020).

What it is

What writes itXcode, the first time a device on a new iOS version connects for development. That's the "Copying shared cache symbols" step, which takes a few minutes.
Folder namesDevice model, iOS version and build: iPhone19,4 27.2 (24B91020) is an iPhone on iOS 27.2. Every iOS update on every device you test with adds a new one.
Why it growsXcode never removes folders for versions your devices no longer run.
Comes back?Only for versions a connected device still runs, the next time it connects.

How to clear it

  1. Open ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/iOS DeviceSupport in Finder (Go › Go to Folder).
  2. Delete the folders of iOS versions your devices no longer run. Keep the current one to avoid the copying wait.
  3. Do the same in the watchOS, tvOS and visionOS DeviceSupport folders if you have them.

What you lose: Readable crash logs from devices on the versions you delete, until a device on that version connects again. Otherwise only a few minutes of copying.

With Scrubs: Scrubs's Quick Wins lists every DeviceSupport folder with its size and moves the ones you pick to the Trash. Download Scrubs; scanning is free.

Related folders

DerivedDataWhat is DerivedData on a Mac, and can you delete it?CoreSimulatorWhy is CoreSimulator taking up so much space on my Mac?Xcode ArchivesCan I delete Xcode Archives on my Mac?

Sizes measured with du on 1 November 2026. Paths and commands apply to macOS 15 and later. See also how to free up disk space on a Mac.

About the author: Parsa Nasirimehr is a mobile app developer who builds Scrubs, a disk map for the Mac. Spotted something wrong? Write to support@getscrubs.app.