How to Delete a User on Mac [2024 Update]

You can learn how to delete a user on Mac with these step-by-step instructions. Keep your Mac organized by removing unnecessary user accounts with ease.

How to delete a user on Mac? Every Mac user has a user account, and Macs only contain one account. You can still share the account with whoever you want to, so you may end up with several user accounts.

The one administrator account for Mac has access to all Mac settings. You can also create a sharing-only account to access some documents via the network. Users who can access computer settings can modify the standard accounts on Mac. 

There comes a point when you must delete a user account from your computer or even remove a user. You will desperately need to know how to delete a user account on a Mac. This article offers a straightforward and detailed guide. Keep reading!

How to Delete a User on macOS Ventura

You must have administrative access to delete a user on macOS Ventura. If you don't, consult the admin user. Don't worry if you are unsure whether you are an admin user. You can still check using the following steps.

Step 1. Go to the "Apple menu" > "System Settings."

Step 2. Click on the "Users &Groups" and search for your name.

Step 3. Underneath your name, check and see if it says "admin." If yes, then you are the user admin.

After establishing that, you can delete the user account you no longer need to create space for your macOS Ventura. Here is the guide to follow!

Step 1. Go to "System Settings" and click "User & Groups."

Step 2.  Find the user you want to remove and hit the "i" next to it.

Step 3. Click "Delete Account" and enter the administrator password or name if asked.

Step 4. Choose one option and click "Delete Account" to confirm the deletion procedure.

How to Delete a User on macOS Monterey or Earlier

To delete a user on macOS Monterey, you must be an admin user. So, the first thing is to check if you are an admin user using the following steps:

Step 1. Go to the "Apple menu" > "System Settings."

Step 2. Click on the "Users &Groups" and search for your name.

Step 3. Underneath your name, check and see if it says "admin." If yes, then you are the user admin.

Use the following steps to delete a user on macOS Monterey if you are the admin user.

Step 1.  Open "System Preferences" > "Users &Groups."

Step 2. Hit the "Lock" button towards the bottom of Users & Groups.

Step 3. Enter the administrator name/password if prompted and click "Unlock."

Step 4. Pick the "user account" you want to delete from the list.

Step 5. Hit the "-" button and choose one option from the three options that will pop up to confirm.

Step 6. Click "Delete User" after confirming.

How to Deal with the Reappearing User Account

Sometimes, the deleted user account may keep reappearing. If that is the case, use the Directory Utility to delete it. However, ensure that you aren't deleting the administrator account from your Mac; otherwise, deleting the user account on your Mac will be tricky.

Here is a guide on using Directory Utility to delete a user account that reappears.

Step 1. While logged in to the user account you want to retain, press the "Command + Space key" to launch a Spotlight.

Step 2. Type Directory Utility and click the "Return key" to choose the options.

Step 3. Click the "Lock" icon on your bottom left and enter your admin password.

Step 4. Go to the "Directory Editor" on your window and select "user."

Step 5. Pick the user account you want to delete from the list on the left side of your window and click on the "-" sign.

Step 6. Proceed to the "Delete" button.

How to Rеstorе Dеlеtеd or Lost Filеs Aftеr You Dеlеtе an Account

If you have lost data filеs after dеlеting an account, thе EasеUS Data Rеcovеry Wizard for Mac will help you rеcovеr thеm. This softwarе is rеliablе and sеcurе and has sеvеral advancеd fеaturеs. 

This data recovery software for Mac makes data recovery a breeze and can easily recover lost files on Mac with just a few clicks of your mouse. No matter how you delete and when your files are lost, you can get them all back only if the data is not overwritten. This software is inclusive and is compatible with macOS 14.0 ~ OS X 10.9, so do not worry if you are still running the older macOS.

Remember to share this guide with your followers and help them learn how to delete a user on a Mac.

Conclusion

How to delete a user on Mac? Removing a user account from macOS helps free up space. With the guides above, deleting a user account from older and earlier MacOS is now a breeze. Also, if you are missing some files after deleting a user account, the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will help you retrieve them. The software comes in handy with reliable and straightforward features.

FAQs on Delete a User on Mac

The following questions and answers will help you learn more about deleting a user account.

1. Why can't I delete a user on my Mac?

You can only delete an account if you are the admin user. This is how to check if you are an admin user:

Step 1. Open the "Apple menu" > "System Settings."

Step 2. Click on the "Users &Groups" and search for your name.

Step 3. Underneath your name, check and see if it says "admin." If yes, then you are the user admin.

2. How do I delete a current user on my Mac?

If you are the user admin, removing a current user is easy with the following steps:

Step 1. Go to "System Settings" and click "User & Groups."

Step 2.  Find the user you want to remove and hit the "i" next to it.

Step 3. Click "Delete Account" and enter the administrator password or name if asked.

Step 4. Choose one of the three options to confirm and hit "Delete Account."

 3. How do I delete an admin account on my Mac?

Remove the admin account using the following simple guide:

Step 1.  Open "System Preferences" > "Users &Groups."

Step 2. Hit the "Lock" button.

Step 3. Enter the administrator name/password if prompted and click "Unlock."

Step 4. Pick the "user account" you want to delete.

Step 5. Hit the "-" button and select one of the three options that will pop up to confirm "Delete User."