Video

Can I delete Motion from my Mac?

Yes, you can delete it

Yes, you can delete Motion without losing your purchase history. Your license stays linked to your Apple Account and Mac App Store purchases.

Last updated: November 1, 20262 min read

See how much space Motion really takes before you decide

Motion data usually takes 2 GB – 50 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

Scan your Mac free

Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+

Application: Motion
Typical data size: 2 GB – 50 GB
Category: Video
File Location: ~/Library/Application Support/Motion

What happens when you remove Motion

Specific to Motion

Removing the app does not delete your documents or associated data folders, which typically occupy 2 GB – 50 GB. You keep your settings, project files, and custom templates locally on your Mac. However, since the app is gone, you cannot edit existing projects or create new ones.

Where your Motion data lives

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

~/Movies/Motion Templates.localized Your files · custom titles, effects, transitions and generators Back up first: your data

Account and sync: Motion is bought with an Apple Account through the Mac App Store.
License: The licence belongs to your Apple Account and Mac App Store purchases.
Your files: Custom templates in the Movies folder are also used by Final Cut Pro.

Risks of deleting Motion

The main risk involves your custom titles, effects, transitions, and generators. These live in the Movies folder and are shared with Final Cut Pro. If you manually remove those specific files, they will disappear from Final Cut Pro as well.

Save all projects you wish to keep to another driveCopy the Motion Templates folder to preserve custom assetsEnsure Final Cut Pro projects do not depend on custom templatesQuit the app before removing any related files

0 of 4 done

How to delete Motion completely

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

Try it without risk

Download and scan for freeSee every Motion file and its size. No account needed.
Clean free for 7 daysStart the 7-day free trial of the yearly plan inside the app.
Keep it or cancelCancel in your App Store settings at least 24 hours before the trial ends and you won't be charged.

Download free and scan

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

Frequently asked questions

Will deleting Motion 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.

Will my Final Cut Pro effects stop working?

They continue to work unless you manually delete the custom templates stored in the Movies folder.

Is the shared ProApps folder safe to remove?

Keep this folder if you still have Final Cut Pro or Compressor installed.