My Mac is running out of storage, and I noticed Steam is taking up a lot of space. I rarely use it, so I’d like to uninstall it completely. Can someone guide me through the steps?
Uninstalling Steam from your Mac? Yeah, good luck with that. Removing Steam isn’t as straightforward as just dragging the app to the trash. If you wanna do it right, you need to delete a bunch of hidden files too – otherwise, it’s gonna keep hogging your storage.
First off, quit Steam if it’s running. Drag the Steam app from the Applications folder into the trash. Sounds simple, but hold on, you’re not done.
Next, you gotta clear out the leftover files. Use ‘’ to find and delete these, but don’t expect it to be perfect. This way you might actually free up some space.
Library files:
- Open Finder, click “Go” in the menu bar and hold the “Option” key to reveal the “Library”.
- Go to Library/Application Support/Steam – that’s where the bulk of your Steam files are hiding. Send that to the trash.
- While you’re in the Library, check the Preferences folder (/Library/Preferences) for ‘com.valvesoftware.steam.plist’ and trash that too.
- Finally, hunt down anything Steam-related in Library/Caches and trash them too.
Yeah, it’s annoying. Even if you use cleaner apps, like AppCleaner, they sometimes miss a few hidden files. But hey, at least those might speed up the process a bit if you’re not into manually digging through your system.
Oh, and don’t forget to empty your trash bin. If you’re ditching Steam because it’s taking too much space, try moving to other platforms like Epic Games Store or even GOG. They come with their own issues, but what doesn’t, right?
Uninstalling Steam is a chore, but thinking something else will be a breeze is probably wishful thinking. Happy cleaning, I guess.
Okay, @techchizkid covered the basics well, but I’ve got a bit of a different take on it. First off, before you even start, make sure you back up any game data or save files that you might want to keep. Sometimes a fresh install of Steam down the line picks up saved data, but don’t count on it.
Now, for those who aren’t scared of a little Terminal action, you can use Terminal commands to really scrub your system clear of any Steam remnants without playing a scavenger hunt in Finder:
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Quit Steam completely. Check the Activity Monitor (search for it using Spotlight) to ensure no Steam process is running, and then force quit any you find.
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Open Terminal (you’ll find this in Applications/Utilities). We’re going command-line!
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Remove the Steam app with:
sudo rm -rf /Applications/Steam.appThis is just a start. Terminal gives us power; let’s use it to hunt down the hidden files.
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Then tackle the Application Support folder:
sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Steam -
Preferences files relating to Steam:
sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.valvesoftware.steam.*While @techchizkid mentioned
com.valvesoftware.steam.plist, using the wildcard*will ensure we catch any similar named files. -
Clean cache files:
sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.valvesoftware.steam*
Now about those hidden files @techchizkid mentioned. Sometimes, they’re in weird places. To really clear all Steam-related files, you can look into other potential hiding spots:
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Use this command to find anything with “steam” in the name anywhere in your home directory:
find ~ -name '*steam*'This will output a list of all files and directories with “steam” in their name. Be cautious, though. Double-check the paths, and only remove what you’re sure is Steam related.
If you’re worried you might miss something or feel uncomfortable purging files manually from the Terminal, you can mix things up with a utility like CleanMyMac. These tools can scan for remaining junk and help you delete it, but as @techchizkid hinted, they might not get everything. Still, they’re worth a try for ease of use.
Once you’ve rid your system of all this clutter, there’s still one final thing you’d want to do just to be thorough: Disk Cleanup. Steam can leave behind fragmented files that standard deletion doesn’t always clean up perfectly:
- Open Disk Utility (in Applications/Utilities).
- Select your hard drive then click on “First Aid”.
- Run the repair to clean up any potential leftover fragments.
Trusty AppCleaner, as suggested earlier, is decent too, and worth mentioning again for those who prefer not having to hunt and peck manually or use Terminal commands. Just drag the Steam application into AppCleaner, and it will hunt for all associated files. Not perfect, but a solid option for those less tech-savvy.
As for space management moving forward: I disagree slightly on moving to another gaming platform idea. It’s true alternatives like Epic Games Store and GOG exist, but if storage is an ongoing issue, just piling on more platforms can lead to the same problem. Instead, maintain one clean and minimal setup. Consider external storage options or cloud saves where feasible.
Finally, keep this tip in your pocket: periodically check your storage the system way via “About This Mac” > “Storage” > “Manage…” to prune unnecessary files. While moving off Steam, assess what else hogs space. Users often forget about large, dormant files in Downloads or Documents.
Cheers, and I’d say, happy uncluttering instead!
I’ve seen some really solid advice already, but I’ll throw in my two cents, focusing more on a diversified approach to your storage problem, balancing between manual uninstallation and leveraging some alternate tools.
First, yes, @techchizkid and @byteguru nailed it on the main steps for uninstalling Steam, especially the part about the hidden files – essential unless you want ghost files hogging storage. But let me add a bit on the practical side for those who dread the Terminal or intense file digging.
Use a Combination of Tools
While manually tracking down files works, tools like CleanMyMac X or AppCleaner can speed up the process and catch chunks of leftover files. Use these alongside manual file deletion to achieve a thorough cleanup without getting overly technical.
Backup Game Saves and Necessary Data
Don’t forget - if you have any special game saves or prefer not to re-download everything later (just in case), ensure you back them up manually. They’re often located in ~/Library/Application Support/. Since the Steam saves can sometimes be sneaky, this preemptive step is key.
Target Specific Storage-Hogging Areas
Consider an overall storage audit. A little-known trick here is to utilize the “Manage…” button under “About This Mac” > “Storage”. It provides a thorough analysis of what’s taking up space. For Steam, it’ll show potentially large files that might slip under the radar during manual cleaning.
Introduce External Solutions
If storage issues are recurring, think about external storage solutions. An external SSD or HDD could offload some content you use less frequently. For games, you can even set up game installations directly on an external drive – very handy if storage is a pain point.
Cloud Solutions
Another angle often overlooked: Cloud storage. Steam Cloud, Google Drive, or iCloud can serve as additional save points. Moving non-essential files to cloud storage is a great way to free up space without offloading them onto external drives.
Maintain Regular Clean-Up Routine
Introduce a regular maintenance workflow. Every so often, review your active applications and installed games. Clear out downloads, documents, or redundant files. Leverage built-in macOS tools or third-party cleaners to catch digital “dust bunnies.”
While manually clearing the caches, preferences, and support files might be the most detailed method, combining it with automated tools provides a solid fallback. Systematic checking and extended storage options ensure you don’t hit this space issue frequently.
But hey, one last thing – everyone has different comfort levels navigating these options, so find a balance that works best for you. If the idea of terminal commands or root directories gives you cold sweats, apps like AppCleaner might just strike the right blend of thoroughness and ease for you.
Good luck and happy unclutterin’!