Music & Audio

Can I delete Cubase from my Mac?

Yes, you can delete it

You can delete Cubase from your Mac, but the app itself is only part of what sits on the disk. Removing it does not remove your project folders, preferences or sound content, and it does not touch your Steinberg account. What you lose is the ability to open and work with your projects until you install it again, so decide based on what you still need locally.

Last updated: November 1, 20263 min read

See how much space Cubase really takes before you decide

Cubase data usually takes 1 GB – 50 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Application: Cubase
Typical data size: 1 GB – 50 GB
Category: Music & Audio
File Location: ~/Library/Preferences/Cubase

What you lose and what you keep if you delete Cubase

Specific to Cubase

The application bundle goes away, so you cannot launch the app or open your projects until it is reinstalled. Your own documents and project folders are not deleted by removing the app; they stay where you saved them. Preferences, key commands and window layouts live in a folder under your user Library and remain until you remove that folder yourself. Sound content and VST Sound libraries in the shared Steinberg folder stay as well, which matters because other Steinberg apps may still use them. Your activation is tied to your Steinberg account through Steinberg Activation Manager, so the account record is not erased by deleting the app.

Where your Cubase data lives

Cubase keeps none of your own files in its folders; what it stores is rebuilt automatically or comes from your account.

~/Library/Preferences/Cubase Settings · preferences, key commands and window layouts Yes, settings reset/Library/Application Support/Steinberg/Content Other · sound content and VST Sound libraries Only if no other app uses it

Account and sync: Cubase is activated through your Steinberg account and Steinberg Activation Manager.
License: Current versions use Steinberg Activation Manager; older versions used a USB eLicenser.

What to check before deleting Cubase

Back up your project folders first, along with any custom key commands or templates you rely on. If you are moving to another Mac, deactivate this computer in Steinberg Activation Manager before you remove anything. Current versions activate through that manager, while older versions used a USB eLicenser, so confirm which one applies to you. Check which VST Sound content other Steinberg apps still need before touching the shared content folder. Expect old preference folders to pile up after upgrades, since each version keeps its own folder named after that version.

Back up project folders, custom key commands and templatesDeactivate this computer in Steinberg Activation Manager if moving MacsCheck which VST Sound content other Steinberg apps still needQuit the app before removing its files

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How to delete Cubase completely

Quit Cubase, move it to the Trash, then remove what it left in ~/Library/Preferences/Cubase. The full step-by-step guide:

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Frequently asked questions

Will deleting Cubase 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.

Do I lose my activation by deleting the app?

No. Activation is recorded in your Steinberg account, so the account itself is unaffected. If you plan to use another Mac, deactivate this computer in Steinberg Activation Manager first.

Why do several old preference folders exist?

Preferences are kept in a folder named after the exact version, so each upgrade can leave an older folder behind. Those folders stay until you remove them separately.