App files on Mac live in three main locations, depending on what you're looking for

When you open an app on Mac, it pulls files from specific folders. The app itself usually sits in the Applications folder. Settings and data the app creates — your preferences, saved documents, cache files — go into your Library folder, which is hidden by default. Temporary files go into a Caches folder inside Library. Understanding which folder holds what you need saves time when you're troubleshooting, backing up, or trying to find where an app stored something.

The three locations work together. The Applications folder holds the program you click to launch. The Library folder holds everything that program remembers about you — your login, your settings, files you've saved within the app. The Caches folder holds temporary copies of things the app downloaded, so it doesn't have to read them again next time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Applications folder in your main hard drive holds the actual app programs you launch, and you can find it by opening Finder and clicking Applications in the sidebar.
  • Your Library folder, which is hidden by default, stores app settings, preferences, and saved data — you can unhide it by pressing Command-Shift-Period in Finder.
  • Each app creates its own folder inside Library, usually named after the app, where it stores preferences files, caches, and support data.
  • Deleting an app from Applications does not remove its settings and data from Library, which is why some apps seem to remember your preferences even after you reinstall them.

Finding the Applications folder and the actual app file

Open Finder and look at the sidebar on the left. Click Applications. You will see every app installed on your Mac in one folder. This is where the actual program lives — the thing you double-click to launch. Each app is usually a single file that looks like a folder but is actually a package (a bundle of code and resources compressed into one icon).

If you want to see what's inside an app package, right-click it and select Show Package Contents. You will see folders named Contents, which holds the actual code and resources the app needs to run. Most people never need to look inside here. The only reason to open it is if you're troubleshooting a specific file the app uses, or if you're trying to find where the app stores a particular resource.

To move or delete an app, you can drag it from Applications to the Trash, or right-click and select Move to Trash. This removes the app itself but does not touch the settings and data it stored in your Library folder. If you reinstall the same app later, it will often remember your old settings because those files are still there.

Accessing the hidden Library folder where app data lives

Your Library folder is hidden by default because it contains system files that most people should not edit. But you can unhide it. Open Finder, click the Finder menu at the top left, then select Settings. Click the Advanced tab and check the box that says Show all filename extensions. Close Settings. Now open Finder again, press Command-Shift-Period (the period key). The Library folder will appear in your home directory.

Once Library is visible, open it. You will see folders named after apps you use — Preferences, Caches, process Support, and others. Each app stores its data in one or more of these folders. For example, if you use Safari, you will find a folder called com.apple.Safari inside process Support. Inside that folder are your bookmarks, browsing history, and other Safari data.

The Preferences folder holds .plist files (preference list files) that store your app settings — things like window size, font choice, or login information. The Caches folder holds temporary files the app downloaded or created, which it can delete and recreate without losing anything important. The process Support folder holds larger data files, like documents you saved within the app or databases the app uses.

Finding app data for specific programs

Once you have unhidden your Library folder, navigate to process Support. Look for a folder with the app's name or a shortened version of it. For example, Google Chrome stores data in a folder called Google/Chrome. Microsoft Word stores data in a folder called Microsoft. Adobe apps store data in a folder called Adobe.

Inside each app's folder, you will usually find subfolders for different types of data. Chrome, for instance, has folders for Default (your profile), Extensions (add-ons you installed), and Cache. Word has folders for templates, recent files, and settings. The exact structure depends on how the app's developer chose to organize it.

If you want to back up an app's data, copy its folder from process Support to an external drive or cloud storage. If you want to reset an app to its default state, you can delete its folder from process Support, then relaunch the app. The app will create a new folder with fresh settings the next time it runs.

Using Spotlight to search for app files quickly

If you know the name of a file but not which folder it's in, use Spotlight. Press Command-Space to open Spotlight search. Type the filename or part of it. Spotlight will search your entire Mac, including hidden folders, and show you results. Click the result to open it or reveal it in Finder.

Spotlight is faster than navigating through folders manually, especially if you're looking for a specific document or settings file. It searches file names, file contents, and metadata, so you can search for things like "my budget spreadsheet" or "Chrome bookmarks" and find them even if you don't remember the exact name.

Understanding app caches and temporary files

Inside your Library folder, the Caches folder holds temporary files that apps read or create to speed themselves up. For example, a web browser caches images and web pages so it doesn't have to read them again. A photo app caches thumbnail previews so it doesn't have to generate them every time you open the app.

These files are safe to delete. The app will straightforward recreate them the next time it needs them. Deleting caches frees up disk space and can sometimes fix problems if a cached file became corrupted. To delete caches for a specific app, open Library, click Caches, find the app's cache folder, and move it to Trash. The next time you open the app, it will create a fresh cache.

Be careful not to delete files from the Preferences or process Support folders unless you are trying to reset the app. Those folders hold your actual settings and data, not temporary files. Deleting them will erase your preferences and any data the app stored.

Locating files saved within apps

When you save a document inside an app — like a note in Notes, or a draft in Mail — the app stores it in its process Support folder, not in your Documents folder. To find these files, navigate to Library > process Support, then open the folder for the app you used.

For example, Notes stores your notes in Library > process Support > com.apple.Notes. Mail stores your messages in Library > Mail Downloads or Library > Mail. If you want to back up these files or move them to another Mac, copy the entire app folder from process Support.

Some apps let you export your data through their settings menu, which is usually easier than digging through the Library folder. Check the app's menu for options like Export, Backup, or Save As. If the app does not offer an export option, copying the app's folder from process Support is the way to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Library folder hidden?

Apple hides the Library folder to prevent accidental deletion or editing of system files that apps depend on. Most people never need to open it. You can unhide it by pressing Command-Shift-Period in Finder, and you can hide it again the same way.

If I delete an app from Applications, does it delete my data too?

No. Deleting an app from the Applications folder removes only the program itself. Your settings, preferences, and saved data remain in the Library folder. If you reinstall the app, it will often find your old data and use it again. To completely remove an app and all its data, you must also delete its folders from Library.

Can I move app files to an external drive?

You can move the app itself from Applications to an external drive and run it from there, though this is slower than running it from your Mac's internal drive. You can also copy an app's data folder from Library to back it up on an external drive. But most apps expect to find their data in the Library folder on your Mac, so moving it may cause problems.

What is a .plist file?

A .plist file is a preferences file that stores an app's settings in a format Mac can read. You can view and edit .plist files with a text editor, but most people should not edit them directly because a mistake can break the app. If you need to change an app's settings, use the app's preferences menu instead.

How much space do app caches take up?

It varies by app and how long you have used it. A web browser cache can grow to several gigabytes over months of use. Photo apps and video editors can cache gigabytes of temporary files. You can check how much space caches are using by opening Library > Caches, selecting all folders, and checking the file size in Finder's info panel.