Music & Audio

How to Completely Uninstall Apple Music on Mac

Because Apple Music is part of macOS on the protected system volume, it cannot be uninstalled. You can only remove its associated downloads and library data.

Last updated: October 31, 20262 min read

Remove Apple Music and everything it leaves behind

Apple Music data usually takes 500 MB – 50 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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

Application: Apple Music
Typical data size: 500 MB – 50 GB
Category: Music & Audio
File Location: ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Music

Apple Music has its own uninstaller

Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
Music is part of macOS and cannot be uninstalled; only its downloads and library can be removed.
Remove the folders Apple Music left behind, listed in the table below.
Empty the Trash to free up the space.

Everything Apple Music keeps on your Mac

4 locations. Tick each one as you remove it; back up anything marked as your data first.

~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Music Cache · artwork and streaming cache Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Music/Music/Music Library.musiclibrary Your files · library database with playlists, ratings and play counts Back up first: your data~/Music/Music/Media.localized Your files · imported and downloaded songs, music videos Back up first: your data~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Music.plist Settings · app settings Yes, settings reset

Locations checked on a Mac with Apple Music installed.

What Apple Music leaves behind

Specific to Apple Music

Since the app stays on your system, its data remains stored in various locations. This includes settings in preferences, artwork and streaming caches, and your personal library database. User documents and media files occupy between 500 MB – 50 GB and are not removed automatically. These folders remain until you manually delete them.

Account and sync: With Sync Library turned on, your Apple Music library and playlists are kept in iCloud; songs you imported yourself may exist only on this Mac.

Preparing to remove Apple Music data

Quit the app before removing any files. Ensure Sync Library is active if you want your playlists kept in iCloud. Verify that songs imported from CDs or external files have copies elsewhere, as they may exist only on this Mac. To manage space properly, remove downloads from within the app rather than deleting the Media folder.

Turn on Sync Library to keep playlists in iCloudBack up songs imported from CDs or filesRemove downloads from inside the appQuit the app before deleting data folders

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See it working

OptiClear — Scan overview — every category on one screen — Scan overview — every category on one screen

OptiClear — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach

OptiClear — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you

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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

Not all of them. Folders marked “Back up first: your data” hold your own Apple Music data: back them up before removing them. Folders marked “Yes, rebuilt automatically” are rebuilt automatically; removing them only makes the next start slower. Folders marked “Yes, settings reset” hold settings, which return to their defaults.

Where is my music library stored?

Your library database and media files are located in ~/Music/Music.

Will my playlists disappear if I delete the app data?

Playlists are kept in iCloud if Sync Library was turned on.