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How to uninstall UTM on Mac completely

UTM itself is one app, but by default your virtual machines live inside UTM’s own folder in your Library. Deleting the app leaves them there. Deleting that folder deletes them too. Here is how to remove UTM completely and keep the machines you need.

Uninstaller: a list of apps sorted by size with when each was last opened, Google Chrome selected with its app and cache sizes
  1. Open MacWashing and choose Uninstaller in the sidebar.
  2. Click Show Apps and check UTM in the list.
  3. Click Remove and confirm. Files that may be yours are listed as Possible and stay unchecked.
Download MacWashingHow it works

Free trial · macOS 14 or later

First, keep the virtual machines you need

UTM has no uninstaller of its own, and the most important step comes before deleting anything: decide which virtual machines you want to keep.

  1. Open UTM and select a virtual machine you want to keep.
  2. Use its Move action to put it somewhere else, for example on an external disk. Or use Show in Finder and copy the virtual machine package to a safe place.
  3. Repeat for every machine you want to keep.

Don’t use Remove for machines you want to keep: for a virtual machine stored in UTM’s default folder, removing it from the list deletes its data as well.

Delete UTM in Finder

  1. Shut down any running virtual machines, then quit UTM: right-click its icon in the Dock and choose Quit.
  2. Open Finder › Applications and drag UTM to the Trash.
  3. Enter your administrator password if macOS asks for it.

What UTM leaves behind

These places are in the Library folder inside your home folder:

  • ~/Library/Containers/com.utmapp.UTM — UTM’s own folder: its data and, by default, your virtual machines.
  • ~/Library/Group Containers/WDNLXAD4W8.com.utmapp.UTM — data shared between UTM and its parts.
  • ~/Library/Preferences/com.utmapp.UTM.plist — settings.
  • ~/Library/Saved Application State/com.utmapp.UTM.savedState — the saved window state.
  • ~/Library/Application Scripts/com.utmapp.UTM — a small service folder macOS creates for the app.

Your virtual machines are in ~/Library/Containers/com.utmapp.UTM/Data/Documents, inside UTM’s folder from the list. They are your files, not leftovers: moving that folder to the Trash takes the machines with it. Move the ones you need first, or keep the folder.

Remove the leftovers by hand

  1. In Finder, choose Go › Go to Folder (Shift-Command-G), type a path from the list above and press Return.
  2. Check that nothing you need is inside, then move the folder or file to the Trash.
  3. Repeat for the other paths.
  4. Restart your Mac, then empty the Trash. Virtual machines take a lot of space, so check the Trash before emptying it.

UTM isn’t the only app that leaves files behind: see how to uninstall apps on Mac completely.

With MacWashing, it’s one click

Uninstaller: a list of apps sorted by size with when each was last opened, Google Chrome selected with its app and cache sizes

The Uninstaller in MacWashing knows the files UTM creates in your Library folder and removes them together with the app. Folders that may hold your own files, like your virtual machines, are listed as Possible and stay unchecked until you check them yourself.

Download MacWashingHow it works

Free trial · macOS 14 or later

Questions and answers

Will MacWashing delete my own files when it removes UTM?

No. The Uninstaller checks only what belongs to the app: its settings, caches, logs and background items. Folders that may hold your own files are listed as Possible and stay unchecked until you check them yourself, and apps go to the Trash by default, so you can put them back.

What if UTM is still running?

MacWashing waits for it to quit, or quits it at your request, and only then removes its files.

Is it free to uninstall UTM with MacWashing?

Yes, within the free trial: System Junk and the Uninstaller free up to 25 GB in total, with no account or card needed.

Does deleting UTM delete my virtual machines?

Not by itself. Dragging the app to the Trash leaves the machines in UTM’s folder in your Library. They are deleted only when you delete that folder or remove a machine from UTM’s list while it is stored in the default place.

How do I keep a virtual machine for later?

Before you uninstall, move it to another disk with UTM’s Move action, or copy its package from Finder. After you install UTM again, you can open that package in it.

Will removing UTM free up much space?

The app itself is small. Most of the space is taken by virtual machines, so you free it only by deleting the machines you no longer need.