How to Remove GarageBand from Your Mac?

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GarageBand remains a widely used digital audio workstation (DAW), especially among Mac users. It’s free, powerful, and perfect for both beginner and semi professional music production. But not everyone needs it installed on their device especially when disk space or system resources are tight.

If you’re a Mac user who has GarageBand installed but no longer needs it, this guide walks you through why some people remove GarageBand and how to uninstall it completely in 2025, using both manual and automated tools.

Why Do Some Mac Users Uninstall GarageBand?

While GarageBand is a fantastic tool, here are a few common reasons users choose to remove it:

  • Storage Concerns: GarageBand and its accompanying sound libraries can consume over 3 to 5 GB of space, especially with full instrument and loop sets installed.
  • Unused Application: Many users simply don’t need GarageBand if they aren’t creating music or recording podcasts. It’s a powerful tool, but for casual users, it may never get opened.
  • MacBook Air & Base Model Storage Limits: On devices with limited SSD space (like 128GB or 256GB), removing GarageBand can free up room for apps, files, or other media.
  • Switching to Other DAWs: Users upgrading to Logic Pro, Ableton Live, or FL Studio may decide GarageBand is no longer necessary.

Before You Uninstall GarageBand:

Before removing the app, keep in mind:

  • Your GarageBand projects will be deleted. Make sure you back up any songs or loops you’ve created.
  • Sound libraries and plugin data may remain. If you want a complete uninstall, you’ll need to remove additional files manually or with third-party tools.

Method 1: Manually Uninstall GarageBand on macOS

This method works on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, and newer.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
  2. Find GarageBand.app.
  3. Drag the app to the Trash, or right-click and select Move to Trash.
  4. Enter your admin password if prompted.
  5. Empty the Trash to fully remove the application.

However, this only deletes the core application. To remove GarageBand’s additional files like loops and instruments, follow these steps:

Delete GarageBand Support Files:

  1. In Finder, press Command + Shift + G to open “Go to Folder.”
  2. Type:
    /Library/Application Support/GarageBand/
    Delete all files inside this folder.
  3. Repeat the same process for:
    /Library/Audio/Apple Loops/Apple/
    and
    ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.garageband10/
  4. Empty your Trash again.

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This will clear out loop libraries, instrument packs, and project caches.

Method 2: Use AppCleaner (Recommended for Beginners)

For users who prefer a cleaner, easier way to uninstall GarageBand (along with all its associated files), AppCleaner is a trusted and free tool.

How to Use AppCleaner?

  1. Download AppCleaner from the official site (freemacsoft.net).
  2. Open AppCleaner and drag GarageBand into the app window.

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3. It will automatically list all related files and folders.

4. Click Remove to delete GarageBand and its associated data.

5. Empty your Trash.

AppCleaner is efficient, lightweight, and ensures no hidden files are left behind.

What to Do After Uninstalling GarageBand?

After removal, you’ll likely regain several gigabytes of space. You can now:

  • Install a different DAW (e.g., FL Studio, Ableton, or Reaper)
  • Reinstall GarageBand later from the Mac App Store if needed
  • Free up storage for system updates or other creative tools

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Will deleting GarageBand remove my saved music projects?
Yes. Unless backed up to iCloud, an external drive, or another location, your local projects will be deleted. Always save your songs externally before uninstalling.

2. Can I just delete the GarageBand sound library without removing the app?
Yes. Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage > Manage > Music Creation. Click Remove GarageBand Sound Library to delete only the sounds.

3. Is it safe to delete GarageBand from my MacBook Air?
Absolutely. If you don’t use it, deleting it is a great way to reclaim space—especially on devices with smaller SSDs.

4. How much space does GarageBand take up?
The app alone is around 1.6 GB, but with full sound libraries, it can exceed 5 GB depending on the version and installed instruments.

5. Can I reinstall GarageBand later?
Yes. GarageBand is available on the Mac App Store as a free download for all macOS users.

6. Does uninstalling GarageBand improve Mac performance?
It won’t affect performance directly, but freeing up several gigabytes of storage can help with system responsiveness, especially on older or lower-end devices.

7. I deleted GarageBand by mistake. How do I recover it?
Go to the App Store, search for “GarageBand,” and click Get to redownload it for free.

Final Thoughts:

GarageBand is a powerful creative tool—but not everyone needs it installed all the time. Whether you’re managing space on a base-model Mac or simply switching to a new DAW, uninstalling GarageBand in 2025 is safe, simple, and reversible.

Just be sure to back up your projects before removal—and if you ever need GarageBand again, it’s only a few clicks away in the App Store.

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