What is the IdentityServices folder on a Mac?
~/Library/IdentityServices is where iMessage and FaceTime keep the identity and encryption key records they need. 29 MB on our Mac. Why not to delete it.
What is IdentityServices?
Apple's identity service is how Messages and FaceTime find out which addresses can receive iMessage, and fetch the encryption keys for each device. The process doing it, identityservicesd, was running as our user. This folder is its local store.
| Item | Size here | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
ids-query.db | 20 MB | Cached lookups: who can receive iMessage, and their keys |
ids.db and -wal | 4 MB | Your own registration |
NGMTrustStore database | 2 MB | Trust records for message encryption |
RegistrationOperations, PacketLogs, Persistence, PDS | 1.3 MB | Supporting records and logs |
29 MB and 192 files in all.
Is it safe to delete?
No. Messages and FaceTime may need to register again, and conversations can show as not delivered until they do. The folder does not grow large in normal use. If Messages is misbehaving, sign out of iMessage and back in from Messages, Settings, instead; that rebuilds what is needed properly.
Find what is left in one look
Free Mac measures IdentityServices and other protected Library folders and shows them to scale. The process behind it is in what is identityservicesd; Messages' own storage is in iMessage attachments.
Related: the HomeKit folder and du says Operation not permitted.
Common questions
What is the IdentityServices folder on a Mac?
The local store of Apple's identity service, which iMessage and FaceTime use to find contacts and their encryption keys.
Can I delete ~/Library/IdentityServices?
It is not recommended. Messages and FaceTime may have to register again. It was 29 MB on our Mac.
What is ids-query.db?
A cache of lookups: which addresses can receive iMessage and the keys for their devices.