Deleting a user account removes that person's files and login from your Mac

When you delete a user account on a Mac, you're removing the person's ability to log in and erasing their files from the computer. The process takes a few minutes and happens in System Settings. You can choose to keep the user's files in a folder (in case you need them later) or delete everything at once.

Before you start, know that you need an administrator account — a login with full control over the Mac — to delete any other account. If you're trying to delete your own account, you'll need a different admin account to do it. Once deleted, that login is gone permanently.

Key Takeaways

  • Only someone with an administrator account can delete a user account on a Mac.
  • You can save the deleted user's files in a folder or remove them entirely during deletion.
  • Deleting an account does not affect other user accounts on the same Mac.
  • If you delete your own account, you need another admin account already set up on the Mac.

How to delete a user account step by step

Open System Settings (the gear icon in your Dock or Applications folder). Click "General" in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click "Users & Groups" — on newer Macs running Sonoma or later, this may appear as "Users & Groups" under a different menu path, so search for "Users" if you don't see it when ready.

Click the lock icon in the bottom left corner and enter your administrator password. This unlocks the settings so you can make changes. Find the account you want to delete in the list on the left side. Click it once to select it, then click the minus sign (–) button below the list.

A dialog box will appear asking what you want to do with the account's files. Choose "Delete the home folder" if you want to remove everything, or "Save the home folder in a shared location" if you want to keep the files. Click "Delete User" to confirm. The account will be removed from your Mac.

What happens to files when you delete an account

If you choose "Delete the home folder," all of that user's files — documents, photos, downloads, email, browser history — are permanently removed. This cannot be undone, so only choose this option if you're certain you don't need anything from that account.

If you choose "Save the home folder in a shared location," the Mac creates a folder on your desktop or in a shared area containing all of that user's files. You can then look through it, copy what you need, and delete the folder yourself when you're done. This is the safer choice if you're not sure whether you'll need the files later.

Deleting your own administrator account

You cannot delete the account you're currently logged into. If you want to delete your own account, you must first create a second administrator account or use an existing one. Log out of your account, log into the other admin account, then follow the deletion steps above.

Before you do this, make sure the other admin account actually exists and works. Test logging into it first. If something goes wrong and you delete your only admin account, you may not be able to make changes to your Mac without reinstalling the operating system.

When you might want to delete an account

Common reasons include removing a user who no longer needs access to the Mac (a family member moving out, an employee leaving), cleaning up old test accounts, or freeing up space on a shared computer. Deleting an account does not affect anyone else's files or settings on the same Mac — each user's data is separate.

If you're selling or giving away your Mac, you may want to delete all user accounts and reinstall macOS to may support no personal data remains. This is different from a straightforward account deletion and requires more steps.

Troubleshooting account deletion problems

If the minus button is grayed out, you may not have administrator permissions. Check that you're logged into an admin account (System Settings > General > Users & Groups will show "Admin" next to your name). If you're not an admin, ask whoever set up the Mac to delete the account for you.

If the account won't delete and you see an error message, the account may be in use — someone may be logged into it or a program may be running under that account. Log out of the account completely, close any programs, and try again. Restarting your Mac can also clear temporary issues that block deletion.

The difference between deleting and disabling an account

Deleting removes the account entirely — it no longer appears in the login screen and cannot be recovered. Disabling (which you can do by unchecking "Allow user to log in" in the same Users & Groups menu) keeps the account but prevents anyone from logging into it. The files stay on the Mac.

If you're unsure whether you'll need an account again, disabling is safer than deleting. You can always re-enable it later by checking the box again. Deletion is permanent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a deleted account?

No. Once you delete an account, it is gone. If you chose to delete the home folder as well, the files are also permanently removed. If you saved the home folder, you can still access those files from the shared location you chose, but the account itself cannot be restored without reinstalling macOS.

Will deleting an account affect my files?

Only if it's your own account. Deleting another user's account does not touch your files, settings, or login. Each user's data is stored separately on the Mac.

What if I forget to save the home folder before deleting?

If you chose "Delete the home folder" and now realize you needed those files, they cannot be recovered through normal means. You would need to use data recovery software, which may or may not work depending on how long ago the deletion occurred and how much the Mac has been used since.

Do I need the deleted user's password to remove their account?

No. You only need your own administrator password. You do not need the password of the account you're deleting.

Can I delete an account if I don't have administrator access?

No. Only an administrator can delete user accounts. If you need an account deleted and you don't have admin access, contact whoever manages the Mac or set up the administrator account.