# Libraries

> Add, manage, restore, disable, and remove Libraries in the Sketch Mac app.

**URL:** https://www.sketch.com/docs/interface-and-settings/mac-app-settings/libraries/ | **Last updated:** 2026-04-07

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This page explains how to add, manage, restore, disable, and remove Libraries in the Mac app.

> **Note:** If you are looking for information on how to create, share, or update library components, head over to the [Libraries](/docs/libraries/) section.

## How to add a new Library

- To add a new Library, click the **Add Local Library** button in the bottom right, and select the `.sketch` Library document.
- You can also enable a Library from the list of available Libraries in your Workspace.

![An annotated image showing the Libraries tab of the Settings window.](https://cdn.sketch.com/docs/interface-and-settings/mac-app-settings/Libraries-CH@2x.png)
*The Libraries tab of the Settings window in the Mac app.*

1. **Enable/Disable**: Toggle Libraries on or off using the checkboxes. This is handy when you have lots of Libraries to manage.
1. **Library info** shows when a Library was last updated and if it uses a [starred version](/docs/sharing-and-collaborating/sharing-and-viewing-documents/creating-starred-versions/). If an enabled Library has an update available and automatic updates are off, you’ll see an update button.
1. **Filter** shows only your enabled Libraries.
1. **Control-click** opens options to show a Library in Finder or the web app (depending on its type), open it, or remove it.
1. **Workspace**, **Third Party**, and **Local** lists Libraries in separate categories.
1. **Automatically download and update Libraries** downloads a Library update whenever one is available.
1. **Add Local Library** opens the standard macOS Open dialog to add Libraries from your computer.

## How to restore missing Libraries

If you see a warning in your Library settings about a missing Library, this means the Mac app can’t find that `.sketch` Library document. This usually happens when:

- The original `.sketch` file was moved or renamed
- An Admin removed the Library from the Workspace
- Your access to the Workspace was revoked.

1. **Missing Library warning** appears when Sketch can’t locate the Library file.
1. **Disable or Remove** disables the Library to check whether it moved to a new location, or remove it and add it again from your Workspace or your Mac.

## Removing and disabling Libraries

To delete a Library, control-click the Library you want to uninstall and select **Remove Library**. You can’t delete Workspace Libraries from Settings, but you can disable them at any time.

**Note:** Removing or disabling a Library doesn’t unlink its Symbols — they remain intact in your document. If you try to edit a Symbol from a missing Library, Sketch shows a dialog with options to **Replace anyway** (using Components from enabled Libraries) or **Open settings** (to re-enable the Library).

To permanently convert a Library Symbol to a local Symbol, select it, then click **Unlink from Library** in the Inspector.

When you disable a Library, it no longer appears in the Insert menu or Components View. This helps keep your workflow focused by showing only the Libraries you’re currently working with. You can enable the Library again at any time, as long as you don’t delete it.