---
title: "What is the com.apple.idleassetsd folder on Mac?"
description: "com.apple.idleassetsd (macOS (Aerial wallpapers and screen savers)): what’s inside, how big it gets, whether it’s safe to delete, and how to shrink it."
url: https://tidymac.space/folders/com-apple-idleassetsd/
updated: 2026-10-16
---

[Home](/) [Folders](/folders/) com.apple.idleassetsd

# What is the com.apple.idleassetsd folder on my Mac?

It belongs to **macOS (Aerial wallpapers and screen savers)**. Here’s what’s inside and the right way to deal with it.

Your choiceUsually 1–60 GBUpdated October 2, 2026By the Tidy Mac team

Short answer

com.apple.idleassetsd holds the Aerial wallpaper and screen saver videos macOS downloads, such as landscapes and cityscapes. Each video can be hundreds of megabytes, so the folder can reach tens of gigabytes. Removing downloaded aerials is safe; macOS downloads them again only if you choose them.

**Location:** `/Library/Application Support/com.apple.idleassetsd/Customer`

## What’s inside

-   Downloaded Aerial wallpaper and screen saver videos (.mov)
-   Thumbnails and a catalogue of available aerials

**Our verdict: Your choice.** You downloaded this on purpose. Remove it if you don’t use it; you can download it again.

## Remove downloaded aerials the Apple way

Open **System Settings › Wallpaper** (or **Screen Saver**), hover over a downloaded aerial and remove its download, or switch to a still wallpaper so macOS stops downloading new ones.

## Or remove the videos in Finder

The folder is in the system Library, so you need an administrator password. Open `/Library/Application Support/com.apple.idleassetsd/Customer` and move the large `.mov` files in its subfolders to the Trash. Keep the folders themselves.

Tidy Mac won’t delete files in system folders; Space Map shows how big it is.

![](/img/brand/tidy-128.png)

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## Frequently asked questions

Can I delete com.apple.idleassetsd?

Your choice: You downloaded this on purpose. Remove it if you don’t use it; you can download it again. com.apple.idleassetsd holds the Aerial wallpaper and screen saver videos macOS downloads, such as landscapes and cityscapes. Each video can be hundreds of megabytes, so the folder can reach tens of gigabytes. Removing downloaded aerials is safe; macOS downloads them again only if you choose them.

Where is com.apple.idleassetsd on my Mac?

/Library/Application Support/com.apple.idleassetsd/Customer. In Finder choose Go › Go to Folder and paste the path.

How big does com.apple.idleassetsd get?

Usually 1–60 GB.

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#### On this page

[What’s inside](#whats-inside)[Remove downloaded aerials the Apple way](#remove-downloaded-aerials-the-apple-way)[Or remove the videos in Finder](#or-remove-the-videos-in-finder)[FAQ](#faq)

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