CoreSimulator

~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator stores Xcode simulator device data so developers can run and test apps in simulated iPhone, iPad, watch, TV, and Vision devices.

Simulator Devices

What is CoreSimulator?

CoreSimulator is the macOS developer data folder used by Xcode and Apple’s Simulator tools to store simulated device sets, app data, and related runtime state for testing apps without physical hardware. Developers encounter it when they run iPhone, iPad, watchOS, tvOS, or visionOS simulators on a Mac. The folder can contain simulator device records, installed test apps, app containers, logs, caches, and other data created during development and debugging. Its size often grows over time because each simulated device keeps its own data and because additional simulator runtimes and test environments may be added. This location is most relevant to people who use Xcode, Simulator, Safari web testing tools, Playgrounds, or other Apple development workflows that rely on simulated devices.

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Safety overview

Status: Mostly safe

This folder is normal Apple developer data, not malware. It is tied to Simulator and Xcode workflows, and removing it can erase simulated devices, installed simulator apps, saved test data, and development environments that you may still need. Deleting contents while Simulator or Xcode is open can also interrupt active development sessions. If you do not use Apple development tools, the folder is usually only taking up disk space; if you do use them, check Xcode and Simulator first so you do not remove active test devices or data you want to keep.

Recommendation: Keep this folder if you actively use Xcode, Simulator, or Apple platform testing on your Mac. If you no longer do Apple development, you can remove old simulator data to recover space, but expect Simulator to recreate needed files later and any saved simulator app data to be lost. For a lighter cleanup, remove obsolete simulators and runtimes from your development tools before deleting the whole folder.

File path

  • ~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator

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