How do I delete a managed account on my Mac?

Deleting a user account on your Mac, which might be referred to as a "managed account" if it has parental controls or other restrictions, involves a straightforward process through System Settings.

How to Delete a Managed Account on Your Mac

To remove a user account from your Mac, follow these steps:

1. Access System Settings: On your Mac, choose the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings.

2. Navigate to Users & Groups: In the sidebar of the System Settings window, click on Users & Groups. You might need to scroll down to find it.

3. Initiate Deletion:

   • Locate the user account you wish to delete in the list.
   • Click the "i" button (information icon) or a three-dot menu (...) next to the user's name.
   • From the options that appear, click Delete User (or Delete Group, if applicable).

4. Confirm Deletion Options:
   When deleting a standard user account, macOS will present you with options for handling the user's home folder and its data:

   • Save the home folder in a disk image: This creates an archive of the user's data that you can access later. The disk image will be saved in /Users/Deleted Users/.
   • Don't change the home folder: This keeps the home folder and its contents intact, but the user account itself is removed from the login screen. You can still access the data by navigating to the Users folder.
   • Delete the home folder: This permanently removes all the user's data from your Mac. Be extremely cautious with this option, as data loss is irreversible.

   Sharing-only users are deleted immediately without these options, as they do not have a home folder on your Mac.

Understanding "Managed Accounts" in macOS

The term "managed account" can refer to a few different scenarios on a Mac:

• Local User Accounts with Parental Controls: These are standard user accounts on your Mac where an administrator has applied parental controls or screen time limits. Deleting such an account follows the exact steps outlined above. Once deleted, any associated restrictions are removed along with the account's data (depending on your chosen deletion option).
• Organizational Managed Accounts (MDM): If your Mac is owned by an organization (like a school or business) and enrolled in Mobile Device Management (MDM), your user account might be centrally managed. While you can often delete the local user profile using the steps above, the device itself might remain under organizational control, and the account could be re-provisioned or certain settings might persist. For these types of accounts, it's best to consult with your organization's IT administrator for proper de-provisioning or unenrollment.

Important Considerations Before Deleting a User

Before proceeding with deleting any user account, especially one with significant data, consider the following:

• Administrator Privileges: You must be logged in as an administrator to delete other user accounts on your Mac.
• Data Backup: Always back up any important data from the account you are deleting before choosing the "Delete the home folder" option.
• Active Users: You cannot delete the user account that is currently logged in. You must log out and log in as a different administrator to delete your own account or another active account.

Here's a quick reference for the home folder options: