/private/var/lib

This folder is defined by the HFS 2.3 as /var/lib, but per Apple's naming scheme, they decided to place it here. To work around this issue, there is a symlink at /var that redirects to /private/var.

This is defined as a folder to hold "state information pertaining to an application or the system. State information is data that programs modify while they run, and that pertains to one specific host." Users should "never need to modify files in /var/lib."¹

What is odd is that user applications' preferences are actually stored in their jailed directory at /private/var/mobile/Applications/{UUID}/Library under whatever name they choose. Applications located under /Applications store their preferences in /var/mobile/Library/Preferences/{INTERNAL_NAME}.plist

Children

Folders

• apt (file lists of installed debs)
• cydia (created by Cydia)
• dpkg
• misc

Files

(none)

Parents

(root)/private/var (Root)/private/var

References

1. FHS 2.3 on /var/lib