# Is it safe to delete Mail Downloads on Mac?

- URL: https://moreroom.app/folders/mail-downloads
- Item: Mail attachments opened
- Location: `~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Mail Downloads`
- Verdict: Safe to remove — Rebuilt or re-downloaded automatically when needed.
- Comes back on its own: yes
- Source: MoreRoom rules catalogue (2026-10-17), by Yando Pte. Ltd.

## What is it?

When you open an attachment from Apple Mail, a copy is saved in this Mail Downloads folder so the app that opens it has a file to work with. Over the years it can reach several GB.

## What happens if you delete it?

The originals stay in the messages, so any attachment can be opened again; Mail makes a new copy when you do.

## How to remove it properly

Quit Mail, then move the contents of `~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Mail Downloads` to the Trash.

## Before you delete it

If you edited an opened attachment and saved it in place, that edited version exists only here: save it somewhere else first.