Introduction
A. Brief overview of Steam
Steam is a popular gaming platform developed by Valve Corporation, which allows users to download, install, and play a vast range of games on their devices. It’s available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
B. Reasons to delete Steam from MacBook
There could be various reasons you may want to delete Steam from your MacBook, including freeing up storage space, troubleshooting performance issues, or transitioning to another gaming platform. Regardless of the reason, this article will walk you through how to delete Steam on MacBook in a step-by-step manner.
Preparing to uninstall Steam
1. Ensuring all games are saved and backed up
Before you remove Steam from your MacBook, it’s essential to ensure that your game data is saved and backed up. Most games on Steam support cloud saving, so your progress should already be saved on the Steam Cloud. To verify this, open Steam, go to your Library, and check if the games you care about have the Steam Cloud icon.
2. Closing Steam completely
Before uninstalling Steam, make sure it’s not running in the background. Close Steam by right-clicking on the Steam icon in the menu bar and selecting Quit Steam.
Uninstalling Steam manually
1. Navigating to the Applications folder
To uninstall Steam, you should first navigate to the Applications folder. Open Finder, then click on the Applications folder in the sidebar.
2. Dragging the Steam application to the Trash
In the Applications folder, locate the Steam icon, then click and drag it to the Trash located in your Dock. This action will remove Steam from your list of installed applications.
3. Emptying the Trash
After dragging the Steam application to the Trash, right-click on the Trash icon and choose Empty Trash to complete the uninstallation process.
Removing Steam-related files and folders
1. Locating and deleting the Steam application support folder
To thoroughly delete all Steam-related files, you’ll need to remove the Steam Application Support folder. To do this, open Finder, click on Go in the menu bar, hold down the Option key, and click on Library. Finally, navigate to Application Support/Steam and delete the Steam folder.
2. Locating and deleting Steam cache folders
Additionally, you should remove Steam cache folders to eliminate any leftover data. In the Finder’s Library folder, go to Caches and delete any folders associated with Steam.
3. Clearing out Steam’s saved state and preference files
To remove Steam’s saved state and preference files, navigate to the ~/Library/Preferences folder and delete any files with Steam or Valve in their names.
Alternative methods to uninstall Steam
1. Using third-party uninstaller applications
a. Recommendations of third-party uninstaller applications
If you prefer using a third-party uninstaller, some popular choices are CleanMyMac X, AppCleaner, and AppZapper.
b. Steps to uninstall Steam using a third-party application
Each uninstaller application will have a slightly different process. Generally, you’ll need to:
1. Download and install the uninstaller application of your choice.
2. Launch the application, locate Steam in the list of installed programs, and select it.
3. Confirm the removal, and the uninstaller will delete Steam and its associated files.
2. Resetting your MacBook
If you’re experiencing issues with your MacBook and want to perform a clean installation of macOS, you can reset your MacBook to factory settings. This process will remove all installed applications, including Steam. Before taking this step, ensure you backed up all critical data.
Reinstalling Steam (optional)
1. Downloading the latest version of Steam
If you want to reinstall Steam on your MacBook, visit the official Steam website (steampowered.com) and download the latest macOS version.
2. Installing and signing in to Steam
Once downloaded, open the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to install Steam. After installation, sign in to your Steam account to access your game library and pick up where you left off.
Conclusion
In summary, to delete Steam from your MacBook, you need to close the application, uninstall it manually or with a third-party uninstaller, and remove all associated files and folders. If you wish to reinstall Steam, simply download the latest version and sign in to your account.
As an alternative, you might want to explore other gaming platforms available on macOS, such as the Mac App Store or GOG Galaxy, which offer a wide range of games and features for avid gamers.
FAQs
1. Will deleting Steam also delete my games?
Removing Steam from your MacBook will delete the local game files but not your saved progress if your games utilize Steam Cloud.
2. Can I reinstall Steam without losing my saved game data?
Yes, provided your saved game data is backed up on Steam Cloud or through other means, you can reinstall Steam and access your saved progress.
3. Are there alternative gaming platforms for macOS besides Steam?
Yes, you can try platforms like the Mac App Store, GOG Galaxy, and Origin for macOS gaming.
4. Is it necessary to manually remove Steam-related files and folders after uninstallation?
While not strictly necessary, removing Steam-related files and folders will free up storage space and eliminate leftover data.
5. Can I transfer my Steam games to another gaming platform?
While some games may be available on multiple platforms, you generally cannot transfer game licenses or saved data between different platforms.
6. Can I still access my Steam account on other devices after deleting it from my MacBook?
Yes, deleting Steam from your MacBook does not affect your Steam account. You can still access your account and games on other devices.
7. How do I redownload a game on Steam after reinstalling the platform?
After reinstalling Steam and signing in to your account, simply go to your game library, click on the game you want to download, and select Install.