# Can I delete Android system images in the SDK folder?

- URL: https://moreroom.app/folders/android-systemimages
- Item: Android system images
- Location: `~/Library/Android/sdk/system-images` (items inside)
- Verdict: Review first — Might hold something you care about. Look inside before removing it.
- Comes back on its own: yes
- Official command: `sdkmanager --uninstall "<package>"`
- Source: MoreRoom rules catalogue (2026-10-17), by Yando Pte. Ltd.

## What is it?

System images are the Android versions emulators boot from, one per API level, variant (Google APIs, Google Play, and so on) and processor architecture, stored under `~/Library/Android/sdk/system-images`. Each typically takes 1 to several gigabytes, and older API levels stay installed after you move on.

## What happens if you delete it?

The SDK Manager can download a removed image again at any time. Emulators created from it will not start until it is reinstalled.

## How to remove it properly

In Android Studio, open Settings › Languages & Frameworks › Android SDK › SDK Platforms, show package details and untick the images to remove; or run `sdkmanager --list_installed` and then `sdkmanager --uninstall "system-images;android-34;google_apis;arm64-v8a"` with the exact package path (permanent).

## Before you delete it

Delete the emulators that use an image first, or keep the image, so you do not end up with devices that cannot boot.