# Is it safe to delete the Pods folder in an iOS project?

- URL: https://moreroom.app/folders/project-pods
- Item: CocoaPods project folders (Pods)
- Location: `…/Pods`
- Verdict: Safe to remove — Rebuilt or re-downloaded automatically when needed.
- Comes back on its own: yes
- Typical size: 50 MB–3 GB per project
- Source: MoreRoom rules catalogue (2026-10-17), by Yando Pte. Ltd.

## What is it?

CocoaPods installs an iOS or macOS project’s third-party libraries into a `Pods` folder next to the `Podfile`, together with the generated Pods Xcode project. Only folders in projects untouched for 30 days are considered. Typically tens of MB to a few GB.

## What happens if you delete it?

Running `pod install` in the project restores the exact versions listed in `Podfile.lock`, usually from CocoaPods’ local cache. The project will not build until you do.

## How to remove it properly

Close the workspace in Xcode, then move the `Pods` folder to the Trash in Finder. Run `pod install` when you return to the project.

## Before you delete it

Some teams commit `Pods` to version control; if so, deleting it shows up as changes in git. Without `Podfile.lock`, `pod install` may pick newer versions.