Are you tired of using Steam on your Mac and want to uninstall it? Whether you're looking to free up some storage space or simply no longer use the gaming platform, uninstalling Steam from your Mac is a straightforward process. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of uninstalling Steam on your Mac. Let's get started!
Before Uninstalling Steam: Backup Your Games
Before you proceed with uninstalling Steam, it's important to note that uninstalling Steam will also remove all your games and game data. If you want to keep your game progress and save files, make sure to back them up before uninstalling Steam. Here's how you can do it:
1. Open Finder
To begin, open Finder on your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the blue and white smiley face icon located on your Dock.
2. Go to the Steam Library Folder
In the Finder window, navigate to the “Applications” folder located in the sidebar. Once you're in the Applications folder, find and open the “Steam” folder.
3. Copy the SteamApps Folder
Inside the Steam folder, you'll find a folder named “SteamApps.” This folder contains all your game data and save files. Right-click on the SteamApps folder and select “Copy” from the drop-down menu.
4. Paste the SteamApps Folder to a Backup Location
Choose a backup location on your Mac where you want to store your game data. Right-click on the backup location and select “Paste Item” from the drop-down menu. This will paste the SteamApps folder to the backup location, ensuring that your game data is safe.
Uninstalling Steam from Your Mac
Now that you've backed up your game data, it's time to uninstall Steam from your Mac. Here's how you can do it:
1. Quit Steam
Before uninstalling Steam, make sure to quit the application. To do this, click on the Steam icon located on the menu bar and select “Quit Steam” from the drop-down menu.
2. Open Finder
Open Finder on your Mac by clicking on the blue and white smiley face icon located on your Dock.
3. Go to the Applications Folder
In the Finder window, navigate to the “Applications” folder located in the sidebar. This is where all your installed applications are stored.
4. Find Steam
In the Applications folder, find the Steam application icon. It should be named “Steam.app”.
5. Move Steam to Trash
Drag and drop the Steam application icon to the Trash icon located on your Dock. Alternatively, you can also right-click on the Steam application icon and select “Move to Trash” from the drop-down menu.
6. Empty Trash
To completely remove Steam from your Mac, you need to empty the Trash. Right-click on the Trash icon located on your Dock and select “Empty Trash” from the drop-down menu. Confirm the action when prompted.
Removing Leftover Files
After uninstalling Steam, there may be some leftover files and folders that you may want to remove to free up additional storage space on your Mac. Here's how you can do it:
1. Open Finder
Open Finder on your Mac by clicking on the blue and white smiley face icon located on your Dock.
2. Go to the Library Folder
In the Finder window, click on the “Go” menu located on the menu bar and select “Go to Folder” from the drop-down menu. In the dialog box that appears, type “~/Library” and click “Go”. This will take you to the Library folder.
3. Delete Steam Files
In the Library folder, locate and open the “Application Support” folder. Inside the Application Support folder, find and delete the “Steam” folder.
4. Empty Trash
Once you've deleted the Steam folder, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftover files. Right-click on the Trash icon located on your Dock and select “Empty Trash” from the drop-down menu. Confirm the action when prompted.
Reinstalling Steam on Your Mac
If you ever decide to reinstall Steam on your Mac, you can do so by following these steps:
1. Download Steam
Visit the official Steam website at store.steampowered.com and click on the “Install Steam” button. This will download the Steam installation file to your Mac.
2. Install Steam
Once the Steam installation file is downloaded, open it and follow the on-screen instructions to install Steam on your Mac. After the installation is complete, you can launch Steam and sign in to your account to start using it.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Steam from your Mac is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily remove Steam and its associated files from your Mac. Remember to back up your game data before uninstalling, and if you ever decide to reinstall Steam in the future, you can do so by downloading the installation file from the official Steam website. Good luck with your uninstallation process and enjoy your newfound storage space!
