Communication

Can I delete Microsoft Teams from my Mac?

Yes, you can delete it

Yes, you can delete Microsoft Teams from your Mac. Since Microsoft has retired classic Teams in favor of a new version using sandbox containers, the process mainly removes the application interface.

Last updated: October 31, 20263 min read

See how much space Microsoft Teams really takes before you decide

Microsoft Teams data usually takes 500 MB – 5 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Application: Microsoft Teams
Typical data size: 500 MB – 5 GB
Category: Communication
File Location: ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2

What happens when you remove Microsoft Teams

Specific to Microsoft Teams

Your chats, meetings, and files remain safe because they live in your Microsoft 365 or Teams account, not on your Mac. Shared files are stored in OneDrive or SharePoint rather than within the app folders. You only lose local caches, sign-in data, and settings, which typically occupy 500 MB – 5 GB. Deleting the app itself does not remove these data folders or your personal documents.

Where your Microsoft Teams data lives

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

~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2 Sandbox container · new Teams app data and cache Yes, once the app is gone~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams App data · data left by the classic (older) Teams app Yes, once the app is gone~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.teams Shared container · new Teams cache, web storage and sign-in data Yes, once the app is gone/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0 Other · Microsoft AutoUpdate, shared with Office Only if no other app uses it/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL/MSTeamsAudioDevice.driver Other · audio driver used to share computer sound in meetings Yes, once the app is gone/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper Other · Microsoft AutoUpdate helper shared with Office apps Only if no other app uses it/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper.plist Background item · starts the Microsoft AutoUpdate helper Only if no other app uses it~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.oneauth Shared container · Microsoft sign-in tokens shared with other Microsoft apps Only if no other app uses it

Current status: Microsoft has retired classic Teams; the current app is new Teams, which keeps its data in sandbox containers.
Account and sync: Chats, meetings and files live in your Microsoft 365 or Teams account; the Mac only keeps caches and sign-in data.
Your files: Files shared in Teams are stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, not in the Teams app folders.

Important considerations for Microsoft Teams

Some components, like the audio driver in /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL, stay on your system after removal. Other elements, including Microsoft AutoUpdate and shared sign-in tokens, are used by other Office apps and should be kept. Be aware that a leftover classic Teams folder may remain in your library and continue taking up space unless removed separately.

Sign out of every account and organization within the appSave all downloaded chat attachments to a permanent folderQuit the app before removing any associated files

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How to delete Microsoft Teams completely

Quit Microsoft Teams, move it to the Trash, then remove what it left in ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2. The full step-by-step guide:

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Frequently asked questions

Will deleting Microsoft Teams 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.

Why is the app still taking up gigabytes after deletion?

The newer version uses sandboxes, but a legacy folder from classic Teams often stays behind and must be deleted manually.

How do I know if my app cache has become too large?

Indications include the app showing old messages or failing to load your recent chats.