Have you ever noticed how many Apple programs are installed by default on your Mac? Our Macs come with a lot of pre-installed apps, which makes it simpler for us to use them as soon as we receive them. Numerous of these apps are essential and address every possible need, including emailing, managing photos, web browsing, and much more. But not all of them are completely necessary or desired.
Therefore, many Mac users are curious about the possibility of removing the default Apple apps. You have probably already realized that it is not that easy to remove one of Apple’s default apps if you have tried, although there are many of the Best App Uninstallers for Mac available. So, to help you out, we will go into the reasons behind Apple’s security measures and how to remove them.
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Why are Built-In Apple Apps Protected from Removal?
Apple uses SIP (System Integrity Protection) to prevent the removal of necessary built-in programs. SIP fundamentally restricts what we can do in macOS-restricted areas, making it more difficult to uninstall these apps. Although it is not the simplest process, it is achievable with the correct knowledge. We will cover that in more detail later in the post.
Make sure you really want to remove default programs before you begin. It is not always simple to restore default programs once they have been deleted, and there have been reports that occasionally, removing particular apps can interfere with macOS upgrades. It is important to keep in mind that when programs are not utilized, they do not build up caches and take up less space on your hard drive.
It is something to keep in mind if you want to get rid of them to free up space. In your rush to get rid of default Apple apps, you could run into problems. Without the right help, you begin deleting crucial application files or directories, which could make other apps stop functioning. You will have to return them to factory settings if that occurs.
How to Uninstall Default Apple Apps with Terminal?
You can use Terminal to uninstall the default Apple apps that are not needed, even with the warning. But first, you should be aware that Apple modified System Integrity Protection (SIP) with the introduction of macOS 10.12 and now prohibits changing system items on Macs. The user’s ability to operate on portions of the Mac operating system that are protected is restricted by the SIP. For this reason, you must turn off Apple System Integrity Protection before attempting to delete default programs.
1. Disable SIP
When you disable SIP, your Mac’s security measures are momentarily lowered, enabling you to perform system changes. Here’s how to disable SIP and get to certain system settings step-by-step.
- Choose the Apple Menu option and hit Restart.
- To start in Recovery Mode, hold down the Command-R key.
- Choose Utilities > Terminal, then type the command below:
csrutil disable
- Restart your Mac.
2. Open Your Application Directory
After opening the Terminal, you need to find the application you want to uninstall by going to its directory. Here’s how to go about it:
- Launch the terminal.
- Enter the command below to open your program directory, then hit return to exit: cd /Applications/
3. Remove Applications
Take caution—make sure you want to do this. Once you execute the command, Terminal will delete the application without asking for your permission.
We may now remove default programs using the sudo rm -rf command. Every application has a command unique to it.
For example, to uninstall FaceTime, you could run sudo rm -rf FaceTime.app. Just append the text string below to the sudo rm -rf command above.
- Next, hit Enter to send the command through.
- After it is finished, restart your Mac.
Turning on your SIP again is crucial. To accomplish this, repeat step one above, substitute the command below, and restart your Mac after it is finished: csrutil enabled
Since not all of Apple’s pre-installed programs are covered by SIP, it is actually rather simple to delete some of the less important ones, like Pages and Keynote, and go on to the next stage.
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How to Delete Unused Apps on Mac
Thankfully, removing normal programs is significantly simpler and does not require the use of Terminal. Of course, you can also just drag an app icon to the Trash or use the Finder to uninstall programs. Here’s how:
Remove apps via Finder
- Open a window in Finder.
- Choose Applications from the menu on the side.
- Choose the app that you wish to uninstall.
- Using a right-click, select Move to Trash.
- Remember to empty your trash.
Conclusion
Removing default Apple apps from your Mac can help declutter your system and improve overall performance. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can regain valuable storage space and streamline your Mac experience. Whether you choose to uninstall a few select apps or take a more comprehensive approach, remember to consider the potential impact on your workflow and always make sure to back up any important data before making changes to your system.
