Virtualization
How to Completely Uninstall UTM on Mac
To remove UTM, quit the app and drag it to the Trash. However, because it is sandboxed, this action alone does not delete your virtual machines or settings.
Remove UTM and everything it leaves behind
UTM data usually takes 5 GB – 200 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.
Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+
OptiClear is a Mac app. Copy this page's link and open it on your Mac.
Email me the link- Application
- UTM
- Typical data size
- 5 GB – 200 GB
- Category
- Virtualization
- File Location
~/Library/Containers/com.utmapp.UTM
Manual cleanup steps
- Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
- Move UTM from the Applications folder to the Trash.
- Remove the folders UTM left behind, listed in the table below.
- Empty the Trash to free up the space.
Everything UTM keeps on your Mac
3 locations. Tick each one as you remove it; back up anything marked as your data first.
Locations are the standard macOS folders UTM uses; some appear only after you use the matching feature.
What UTM leaves behind
Specific to UTM
Dragging the app to the Trash leaves several containers in your hidden Library, including those for the QEMU helper and shared group data. These folders hold your configurations and virtual machines, often occupying 5 GB – 200 GB. Since the app is sandboxed, these large .utm packages remain on your disk until you manually delete their respective containers.
Preparing to uninstall UTM
Before removal, ensure all active sessions are closed properly. You should move any .utm packages you wish to preserve out of the internal container to a visible folder. This prevents the accidental loss of your disk images and configurations when you eventually clear the library folders via Finder > Go > Go to Folder.
0 of 4 done
By hand or with OptiClear
| By hand | With OptiClear | |
|---|---|---|
| Places to check | 3 folders, one by one | One scan |
| File sizes | You look them up yourself | Shown for every item |
| Removing the wrong thing | Easy to delete the wrong folder | Goes to the Trash first, so it can be restored |
| Cost | Free | Scan is free; cleaning needs Pro (yearly plan has a 7-day free trial) |
See it working
Try it without risk
- Download and scan for freeSee every UTM 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.
After the free trial, Pro costs $39.99 per year in your country's App Store; cancel any time.