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Clear Apple System Logs (ASL)

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Works with any MacWorks with any Mac running macOS/OS X on Intel or Apple Silicon.
  • macOS onlyThis script improves your privacy on macOS
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: Medium

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Moderate

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use macOS system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrative (sudo) access requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script deletes Apple System Log (ASL) files, enhancing your privacy and security.

ASL files contain system information such as firewall activity, login details, application errors, and network data 1.

The logs are located in the /private/var/log/asl/ directory 1 2 3. You can also access them via /var/log/asl/, since /varlinks to/private/var. These files are in a binary format <sup>[2]</sup> and have an .aslextension <sup>[1]</sup> <sup>[2]</sup> <sup>[3]</sup>. They can be viewed using thesyslog` command 1 2 3.

Originally, the ASL framework was intended to replace the syslog API 2 4. It was deprecated in macOS 10.12 and succeeded by the os_log framework 4.

For macOS versions up to 10.4, logs were stored as plaintext files named 1 2. From macOS 10.5 to 10.5.6, they were stored in a binary database file asl.db 1 2.

While deleting these logs is safe since the system regenerates them as needed 3, this action removes the ability to trace or debug system issues tied to these logs 3.

Deleting these logs improves your privacy and security:

  • They include sensitive information about system and user activities 1 5.
  • These logs are used in forensic analysis to study your behavior, posing a privacy risk 1 2.
  • Unauthorized access to these logs can pose significant security risks 5.
Caution

Deleting these logs may hinder system troubleshooting and monitoring.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Apple System Logs (ASL)" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Apple System Logs (ASL)" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Clear Apple System Logs (ASL)
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
# Clear directory contents: "/private/var/log/asl"
glob_pattern="/private/var/log/asl/*"
sudo rm -rfv $glob_pattern
# Delete files matching pattern: "/private/var/log/asl.log"
glob_pattern="/private/var/log/asl.log"
sudo rm -fv $glob_pattern
# Delete files matching pattern: "/private/var/log/asl.db"
glob_pattern="/private/var/log/asl.db"
sudo rm -fv $glob_pattern
Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Apple System Logs (ASL)" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Terminal app
  • Difficulty: undefined
  • ≈ 3 instructions
  1. 1

    Open terminal

    Open Terminal app.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the code into Terminal and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

This category includes scripts that delete various operating system logs. These logs document system operations, user activities, application behavior, and errors...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Other guides in Clear system and app logs 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

See all 9 guides

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process