The program in macOS is like a car's engine, requiring many core components to work. Usually, we call them application configuration files. So, what exactly do these refer to, and how do you access them? Here, we will provide a comprehensive interpretation of Mac app data.
This is used to save specific data required by the application, such as cache files, preference settings, configuration information, logs, etc., which are indispensable for the regular operation of the application. By default, it is a hidden storage container (~/Library/) and contains different subfolders.
For some software, it allows users to modify certain items according to their own needs for personalized configuration. However, please do not attempt unless you know the exact purpose.
| Location | Purpose |
|---|---|
| ~/Library/Preferences/ |
The program's default configuration or user-defined settings files will be stored in this directory. Generally, this is a single file named "com.apple.<item name>" with the extension ".plist." The information includes the language, theme color, workspace distribution, shortcut keys, and more you have set. When you accidentally delete or encounter problems, this tool will be restored to its installation state. |
| ~/Library/Caches/ |
Here, each application is an independent folder such as "com.iBeesoft", which contains multiple subcategories to store temporarily created or frequently used data, like loaded images, style sheets, access records, etc., to improve its reading speed. Users who need to free up storage space can delete these files without any impact. |
| ~/Library/Application Support/ | This Mac app data folder is used to store necessary items for its function correctly, such as initialization configuration, database, scripts, resources, etc. Usually, the name is "com. apple.<software identifier>" or "application's name." |
| /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ |
When your application crashes or encounters an error, the corresponding diagnostic report and the crash log will be saved here, with the suffix ".crash," ".diag," or ".spin." These files can help its providers identify and fix errors in the application. This Mac AppData folder is not hidden. You can locate it directly via Finder. |
| ~/Library/Containers | This folder stores application data like "~/Library/Application Support/" but only for programs downloaded from the App Store, also commonly called Sandbox apps. |
After understanding AppData for Mac and different folders' locations and uses, are you eager to access them? Please continue reading!
Within this folder, you'll find several subfolders related to Mac app data, including Application Support, Caches, Preferences, and others.
Some applications set the following directory to avoid losing the content being edited due to crashes or unresponsive requests. This is very useful for retrieving unsaved files.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Word or PowerPoint | ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.<AppName>/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery/ |
| Excel | ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft |
| Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator | ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/<ProgramName>/AutoRecover/ |
| Google Chrome | ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/ |
| Safari | ~/Library/Safari/ |
Tip: If the items you need are not in these folders, you can also try file recovery app for Mac.
The AppData folder for Mac contains important items such as app preferences, caches, and support files. Our article will help you better understand these to assist you in managing application data and troubleshooting. However, please be cautious when modifying and deleting them unless you know their role.
Yes. Although the folder structure differs, their purpose is the same: store application data, configuration, cache, and other files.
The corresponding is "~/Library/Application Support." Certain apps use it to store data that needs to sync across multiple devices or be accessible remotely.
The primary purpose is to prevent users from accidentally deleting or modifying these critical files, which may cause the program to malfunction. If you want to unhide, press "Command+Shift+Period (.)". At this point, the Library folder will appear semi-transparent.
When your storage space is insufficient, you can manually delete the data in "~/Library/Caches/". However, we recommend using third-party cleaning software to perform such tasks to ensure everything goes smoothly.
You can try opening "~/Library/Preferences" and deleting "com.apple.appname.plist." This will restore the program to its installation state.
Generally, when you remove this program from your Mac, the associated files will be deleted. If there are residues, deleting them will not cause any problems.
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