# Can I delete a downloaded macOS update?

- URL: https://moreroom.app/folders/macos-pending-update
- Item: Downloaded macOS update
- Location: `/System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate`
- Verdict: Keep — your data — Your data. Shrink it from its app; don’t delete the folder.
- Comes back on its own: yes
- Source: MoreRoom rules catalogue (2026-10-17), by Yando Pte. Ltd.

## What is it?

A macOS software update that Software Update has downloaded and prepared, waiting to be installed, in a protected system folder. Minor updates are usually a few GB; major upgrades take much more.

## What happens if you delete it?

macOS removes it once the update is installed. If it disappears beforehand, Software Update downloads it again.

## How to remove it properly

Do not try to delete it by hand: the folder is protected by System Integrity Protection. To get the space back, install the update from System Settings › General › Software Update and restart; the prepared files are cleared afterwards.

## Before you delete it

To stop macOS downloading updates before you are ready, click the info button next to Automatic Updates in Software Update and turn off downloading new updates when available.