macOS: How to Delete Admin User Account

If someone isn’t using an account anymore or you simply created a different admin account, it might make sense to delete the old admin user account from the computer. Deleting an unused admin account can actually free up storage space and help the Mac run faster from de-cluttering it. You can also make your Mac more secure by streamlining who has admin accounts and access to those admin accounts. Read on to learn how to delete an admin user account on a macOS.

Before You Delete an Admin Account

Keep in mind, you will need another admin account active before you delete a current admin account so you can do things like download items or make other changes to the computer.

To add another admin account:

1. Click the Apple icon.
2. Select System Preferences.
3. Click Users & Groups.

4. Click the padlock at the bottom to unlock it and make changes. You may need to enter your user name and password.
5. At the bottom of the users list, you’ll see a + button to add new users. Select it.

6. Follow the prompts to add another administrator account, which you should be able to select in a pop-up menu.
7. Enter the required information.
8. Click Create User.

You should also perform some type of backup to save all data you still need from the admin account you are deleting, since you will no longer have access to that account in any way.

How to Delete an Admin Account

1. Log in to the alternate admin account you want to keep or just set up.
2. Click on the Apple icon.
3. Select System Preferences.
4. Hit Users & Groups.
5. Click the padlock icon in the bottom left corner if it is in a closed position.
6. It will prompt you to enter your login details, and then should appear open:

7. Select the admin user from the list on the left.
8. Click the – button on the bottom of the list.
9. You can now either hit “Save the home folder in a disk image” if you might want to access the account later. Click “Delete the home folder” if you want it gone permanently.
10. Click Delete User.
11. You can click the padlock to stop yourself or anyone else from making further changes.

If you need to delete a user account that does not have admin privileges, you can delete it using the same method, by clicking the account in the list in Users & Groups and hitting the – option at the bottom of the list. Then you just need to follow the prompts.