Scrivener backs up your whole project every time you close it. Here is where they pile up
Scrivener's automatic backups are a full copy of each project, kept in your Library. How many it keeps, how to see their size, and how to trim them.
Scrivener's automatic backups have saved many a novel. Each one is a complete copy of the project, zipped or not. If a project has images or research PDFs inside, each backup carries them all.
Where they are
By default, in your Library. Scrivener, Settings, Backups shows the exact folder and has an Open backup folder button.
du -sh ~/Library/Application\ Support/Scrivener/Backups 2>/dev/null
ls -lhS ~/Library/Application\ Support/Scrivener/Backups 2>/dev/null | headSettings worth changing
| Setting | Suggested |
|---|---|
| Only keep a number of recent backups | On, 5 to 10 |
| Compress automatic backups as zip files | On |
| Back up on project close | On, it is the safety net |
| Backup location | Leave it, or pick an external or synced folder |
Clearing old ones
With the count limit on, Scrivener deletes the oldest on its own. For old projects you finished long ago, delete their backups in Finder, keeping the most recent one of each.
Why projects themselves get large
Imported research, especially PDFs and images, is stored inside the .scriv package. Keep large references in Zotero or a folder instead, and link to them. See Zotero storage.
Common questions
Where are Scrivener backups stored on a Mac?
By default in ~/Library/Application Support/Scrivener/Backups. Scrivener, Settings, Backups has a button that opens the folder.
How many Scrivener backups should I keep?
Five to ten recent backups per project is enough for most writers. Turn on the option to keep only that many.
Is it safe to delete old Scrivener backups?
Yes, keeping at least the most recent one for each project. The live project is separate from its backups.