Logs and diagnostic files record application or system events. Old data can accumulate, but recent records are useful when investigating a crash, failed update, or unexpected behavior.
Preserve logs when troubleshooting
Do not clean relevant logs before reproducing and reporting an issue. Note the event time so support can match it with the correct records.
Crash reports can contain process names, paths, system details, and parts of technical state. Review them before sharing.
Clean supported logs
- Quit the application that owns the logs.
- Run a Junk Files scan.
- Expand log and diagnostic categories.
- Review the owner, location, age, and size.
- Deselect recent or relevant records.
- Confirm removal.
Protected system logs may require Full Disk Access and can still be managed by macOS retention rules.
Logs return
Applications create new logs during normal use. Rapid or unusually large growth can indicate a repeated error. Diagnose the cause rather than cleaning the symptom continuously.
What removal changes
Removing a log does not fix the recorded issue. It only removes that diagnostic history and may make later investigation more difficult.