Office

Can I delete Apple Numbers from my Mac?

Yes, and you can download it again for free

You can delete Apple Numbers from your Mac without losing spreadsheets saved to iCloud Drive. However, local data like custom templates and unsaved work remains in hidden folders unless you manually remove them.

Last updated: October 31, 20263 min read

See how much space Apple Numbers really takes before you decide

Apple Numbers data usually takes 200 MB – 2 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Application: Apple Numbers
Typical data size: 200 MB – 2 GB
Category: Office
File Location: ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.iWork.Numbers

What you lose and what you keep when deleting Apple Numbers

Specific to Apple Numbers

Deleting the app itself does not remove your documents or local data folders. Spreadsheets stored in iCloud Drive remain in the cloud and are accessible after reinstalling. Your local container holds caches, preferences, and autosaves for untitled files that are not synced. If you clear these folders later, you permanently lose custom templates and any unsaved work existing only on this device.

Where your Apple Numbers data lives

These folders hold your own Apple Numbers data. Deleting the app leaves them in place; removing them is what actually deletes it.

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.iWork.Numbers Sandbox container · sandboxed app data: caches, preferences, custom templates and autosaves Back up first: your data~/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~Numbers Your files · Numbers spreadsheets in iCloud Drive; deleting here deletes them in iCloud Back up first: your data~/Library/Containers/com.apple.iWork.Numbers/Data/Library/Autosave Information Other · autosaved copies of untitled spreadsheets you never saved Back up first: your data

Account and sync: Numbers is free with an Apple Account; spreadsheets saved to iCloud Drive stay in iCloud after the app is removed.
Your files: Numbers spreadsheets are saved in iCloud Drive (the Numbers folder) or wherever you chose; the container holds caches, autosaves and settings.

Steps to take before deleting Apple Numbers

Before removing the app, ensure all valuable data is preserved elsewhere. Check that every spreadsheet you need is saved to iCloud Drive or a local folder you control. Export critical files to PDF or Office formats if you plan to edit them in other applications. Quit the app completely before attempting to remove any associated data folders.

Save all untitled spreadsheets currently open in the appVerify important files are synced to iCloud DriveExport spreadsheets to PDF or Office formats if neededQuit the app before removing any local data folders

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How to delete Apple Numbers completely

Quit Apple Numbers, move it to the Trash, then remove what it left in ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.iWork.Numbers. The full step-by-step guide:

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After the free trial, Pro costs $39.99 per year in your country's App Store; cancel any time.

Frequently asked questions

Will deleting Apple Numbers delete my files?

No. Removing the app doesn't touch documents you saved in other folders. Only the app and, if you remove them, its own support files are deleted.

Can I reinstall Apple Numbers later?

Yes. Open the App Store, search for Apple Numbers and download it again; apps already tied to your Apple Account are free to re-download.

Will I lose my custom templates if I delete the app?

No, templates remain in the local container folder until you manually delete it.

Do I need to deactivate a license before removing the app?

No, Apple Numbers is free with an Apple Account and requires no deactivation.