Xcode cache 40GB safe: safe Xcode storage checklist
A practical first-pass checklist for Fear of deleting Xcode cache. The goal is to recover space without deleting the folder that proves expensive to rebuild.
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Separate Xcode storage by risk bucket
Xcode storage is not one thing. DerivedData, Archives, simulator devices, simulator runtimes, DeviceSupport, and package caches have different recovery costs.
First read-only checks
Start with read-only folder sizes, then remove regenerable build data before touching archives or runtimes tied to active projects.
du -sh ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
du -sh ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives
du -sh ~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulatorUsually safer cleanup candidates
- DerivedData after Xcode is closed
- Old unavailable simulator devices
- Regenerable package and build caches
Review before deleting
- Archives used for release symbolication
- Simulator runtimes required by current projects
- DeviceSupport folders for devices still being tested
Turn this into a cleanup plan
If Xcode storage pain keeps coming back, the $29 deep cleanup turns one representative scan into a safe/review/do-not-touch cleanup plan.
Still full after the browser scan?
Start with the browser scan. If the scan shows review-first storage that still needs judgment, send one request for the $29 Deep Cleanup next step.