How macOS Tracks Installed Packages: A Look at Receipts

If you’ve ever installed a .pkg file on your Mac, you might think the installation is invisible once it’s done. But behind the scenes, macOS keeps a detailed record called a receipt. Think of it as a digital footprint of every package your system installs.

What Is a Receipt?

A receipt is a small file (or set of files) that contains metadata about an installed package. This includes:

• The package identifier

• The version number

• When it was installed

• Which files were added to your system

Receipts help macOS—and you—keep track of what’s on your computer, which is especially handy for troubleshooting or auditing installed software.

Where to Find Receipts

Depending on your macOS version, receipts are stored in different locations:

• macOS 10.7 and later: /var/db/receipts/

• Older macOS versions: /Library/Receipts/

Each receipt usually comes in two parts:

1. A .plist file containing metadata

2. A .bom (Bill of Materials) file listing all the files installed by that package

How to Work with Receipts

Here are some practical Terminal commands to explore receipts:

1. List all installed packages

2. Get detailed info about a package

This will show the package ID, version, and install time.

3. See which files were installed

4. Inspect receipt files directly

• View metadata:

• View the installed file list:

Why This Matters

Receipts aren’t just for macOS itself—they’re incredibly useful for anyone managing multiple Macs or troubleshooting installations. They let you:

• Audit installed packages

• Verify versions of critical software

• Track which files came from which package

• Diagnose installation problems

So next time you install a .pkg, remember: your Mac isn’t just dropping files on your system. It’s keeping a careful record, quietly and efficiently, so you—or your IT team—can always check back.