How to remove a user account from your Mac
To delete a user account from your Mac, open System Settings, go to General, then Users & Groups, select the account you want to remove, and click the minus button. The system will ask whether you want to keep or delete the account's files. If you choose to delete the files, they are removed when ready and cannot be recovered — so make sure you have backed up anything you need first.
You can only delete a user account from an administrator account. If you are logged into a standard user account, you will not see the option to delete accounts. You also cannot delete the account you are currently logged into — you must switch to a different administrator account first.
Key Takeaways
- Only an administrator account can delete user accounts; standard user accounts cannot remove any accounts.
- You must log out of the account you want to delete before you can remove it.
- When you delete an account, you choose whether to keep the user's files in a folder or delete them permanently.
- Deleted files cannot be recovered, so back up important documents before you proceed.
- If you forget an administrator password, you will need to use Recovery Mode or contact Apple Support to regain access.
Step-by-step: deleting a user account
First, make sure you are logged into an administrator account. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. In the sidebar, click General, then scroll down and click Users & Groups.
You will see a list of all user accounts on your Mac. Click the account you want to delete. If the account is locked (you see a padlock icon), click the padlock, enter your administrator password, and click Unlock. Once the account is unlocked, click the minus button below the list of accounts.
A dialog box will appear asking what you want to do with the account's files. You have two choices: "Keep the account's home folder" or "Delete the account's home folder". If you choose to keep the folder, it will be saved on your Mac in a folder named after the deleted account. If you choose to delete it, all files in that account — documents, photos, downloads, everything — will be permanently removed.
Click Delete to confirm. The account will be removed from your Mac when ready.
What happens to files when you delete an account
If you choose to keep the account's home folder, macOS creates a folder on your Mac with the deleted account's username. This folder contains all the files that were in that account — Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and all other user files. You can access this folder from any administrator account and move files out if you need them.
If you choose to delete the account's home folder, all files are permanently removed. This includes documents, photos, email, browser history, saved passwords, and anything else stored in that account. Once deleted, these files cannot be recovered using Trash or standard recovery tools. If you think you might need any of those files later, choose to keep the folder instead.
Deleting an account when you are not the administrator
If you are logged into a standard user account, you will not see the option to delete accounts in Users & Groups. Only administrator accounts have permission to add or remove user accounts.
If you need to delete an account and you do not have administrator access, you will need to ask someone who does have an administrator account to perform the deletion. If you are the only person with access to the Mac and you do not remember the administrator password, you can use macOS Recovery Mode to reset the password. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R until the Apple logo appears, then follow the prompts to reset your administrator password.
Removing a managed account (for families)
If the account you want to delete is a child's account managed through Family Sharing, the process is slightly different. Open System Settings, click General, then Users & Groups. Click the child's account, then click the info button (the circle with an "i" in it). Click "Remove from Family Sharing", then confirm.
When you remove a child's account from Family Sharing, you can choose whether to delete the account from the Mac or keep it as a standard user account. If you keep it, the child can still log in, but parental controls will no longer explore. If you delete it, you will have the same choice as above: keep or delete the account's files.
Why you might want to delete an account
You might delete a user account if someone no longer uses the Mac, if you are selling or giving away the computer, or if you want to remove a test account you created. Deleting unused accounts reduces clutter and makes it clearer who has access to the Mac.
If you are preparing to sell or give away your Mac, deleting all user accounts except one and then performing a full erase and reinstall of macOS is the safest way to may support no personal data remains on the computer. This is more thorough than straightforward deleting accounts, because it removes system files and cached data that might otherwise be recoverable.
What to do if deletion fails
If you try to delete an account and the system will not let you, the most common reason is that the account is still in use — either you are logged into it, or another user is logged in. Log out of all accounts except your administrator account and try again.
Another reason deletion might fail is if the account owns files that are open or in use by another account. Close all applications, make sure no files from that account are open, and try again. If you still cannot delete the account, restart your Mac and try once more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover files after I delete an account?
If you chose to delete the account's home folder, the files are permanently removed and cannot be recovered through standard Mac tools. If you chose to keep the folder, the files are still on your Mac in a folder with the deleted account's name, and you can access them from any administrator account.
What if I delete an account by mistake?
If you deleted the account but chose to keep the home folder, you can recreate the account with the same username and it will have access to the original files again. If you deleted the files as well, they cannot be recovered unless you have a Time Machine backup or other backup of your Mac.
Do I need to back up before deleting an account?
Yes, if there is any chance you might need files from that account later. Once you delete the home folder, the files are gone. If you have a Time Machine backup, you can recover files from it, but it is safer to manually back up important documents first.
Can I delete the main administrator account?
No. You must have at least one administrator account on your Mac at all times. If you try to delete your only administrator account, macOS will not allow it. You can create a second administrator account first, then delete the original one.
What is the difference between deleting an account and logging out?
Logging out straightforward closes the current session — the account still exists on the Mac and can be logged into again. Deleting an account removes it entirely from the Mac. Once deleted, that account cannot be used to log in unless you recreate it.