Can I delete Xcode archives? What you lose and what to keep
Quick answer
You can, but think first. Each archive contains the dSYM files Xcode needs to turn a crash report from that exact build into a readable stack trace. Keep archives for every build people still use. Old ones (apps or versions no one runs any more) are safe to remove. You can see them all in Window › Organizer › Archives, and remove them from ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives in Finder.
What's in an archive
Every time you choose Product › Archive, Xcode saves a .xcarchive bundle in ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives, in a folder per date. It holds the built app and its debug symbols (dSYMs). The archive is also what you distribute or upload from.
What you lose by deleting one
- Symbolication for that build. Crash reports from users on that version show memory addresses instead of function names unless the dSYM is still somewhere.
- The ability to re-export or re-upload that exact build without rebuilding it.
If you use a crash reporting service that already has the dSYMs uploaded, check there before relying on that.
How to delete old archives
- In Xcode, open Window › Organizer and choose Archives to see which app, version and date each archive is.
- Quit Xcode. In Finder, press ⇧⌘G and open
~/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives. - Move old date folders or
.xcarchivefiles to the Trash. Empty the Trash only when you're sure.
| Archive | Keep? |
|---|---|
| The version currently on the App Store or TestFlight | Keep |
| Older versions people may still have installed | Keep while you still read their crash reports |
| Test archives you never distributed | Safe to delete |
| Apps you no longer maintain | Safe to delete (or keep just the dSYMs) |
Questions
Where are Xcode archives stored?
In ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives, in one folder per date. Window › Organizer › Archives shows the same list.
Can I keep just the dSYMs?
Yes. Right-click an archive in Finder, choose Show Package Contents, and copy the dSYMs folder somewhere safe before deleting the archive.
Does deleting an archive affect the App Store?
No. The build on App Store Connect stays. You only lose your local copy and its symbols.