Removing macOS Monterey: Is It Possible?

Over 14 million users have upgraded to macOS Monterey since its release in 2021. However, some users find the latest Mac operating system incompatible with their devices. This leaves many wondering if they can delete or uninstall Monterey to downgrade to a previous version of macOS. In this article, you’ll learn about the risks before deleting the system software from your Mac and the practical uses of keeping it.

What Is Install MacOS Monterey?

The Install macOS Monterey application is the official installer for macOS Monterey provided by Apple. It enables users to upgrade to or reinstall Monterey on compatible Macs. The Install macOS Monterey file is typically located in the “Applications” folder and is around 12GB in size. It contains the full installer payload with all files and components needed to deploy Monterey to a Mac’s startup disk – however, the installer app is only needed during the initial setup process.

Why People Might Want To Delete MacOS Monterey Installer

Among many others, listed below are a few reasons why people might want to delete MacOS Monterey Installer:

• The macOS Monterey installer can take up a significant amount of storage space, which is especially important for users with limited disk capacity. 

• Once macOS Monterey has been successfully installed, the installer is no longer necessary. Users often delete it to declutter their system.

• Some users might have downloaded the installer unintentionally or have decided not to upgrade after downloading it.

• Users might want to delete the Monterey installer if they decide to install a different version of macOS instead, either a newer update or reverting to an older version.

Do You Need To Keep Install MacOS Monterey File?

No, you do not need to keep the “Install macOS Monterey” file after you have successfully installed macOS Monterey on your Mac. Once the installation process is complete, this file, which is essentially an installer application, serves no further purpose for the average user. However, let’s look at some scenarios where the installer might or might not be useful:

Scenarios Where Keeping The Installer Might Be Useful

• For users who manage multiple Macs, keeping the installer allows for installations on multiple devices without the need for additional downloads.

• In case of system failure or the need for a clean reinstallation, having the installer readily available can be convenient. It can be used to reinstall the operating system without an internet connection.

• Some users prefer to archive installers of different OS versions especially where specific software versions are required.

Scenarios Where Keeping The Installer Might Not Be Useful

• SInce the installer ranges between 8 t0 12 gigabytes in size – deleting it frees up significant storage space, which is particularly valuable for SSDs with limited capacity.

• If needed, the macOS Monterey installer can be redownloaded from the Mac App Store or Apple’s support website. This ensures that even if you delete the installer, you can always access it again.

• It’s generally advisable to use the latest version of macOS for security and performance reasons. With that said, keeping an older installer might not be beneficial if you plan to stay updated with the latest macOS releases.

Can I Delete Install MacOS Monterey? 

Yes, you can because the installer is essentially a standalone package, used solely for the purpose of installing or upgrading to macOS Monterey. 

What Happens When You Delete The Installer?

When deleted, the approx. 12GB of disk space occupied by Install macOS Monterey is freed up. Removing does not directly affect the currently running Monterey user files that have already been migrated to the startup disk. According to Apple’s upgraded percentage stats, over 27% of currently active Macs now utilize Monterey.

How It Affects Your System

Deleting the installer has no direct effect on the performance or stability of your macOS Monterey. The operating system functions independently of the installer file – that’s because the core system files necessary for the operation of macOS Monterey are copied to the appropriate directories on your system drive during installation.

Risks Associated With Deleting The Installer

Without the original installer, users would not be able to reinstall macOS cleanly. Deleting also eliminates the option to easily downgrade to the prior operating system. However, advanced users have a few alternatives such as Time Machine restorations or erasing all contents & settings to force re-download. However, there can be potential data loss. So it’s often best to keep it as a backup.

How To Delete MacOS Monterey Installer

Deleting the MacOS Monterey Installer can be done in several ways – here are the easiest two: 

Method 1: Use Finder To Delete The “Install MacOS Monterey” App

• Click the Finder icon in your Mac’s Dock.
• In the Finder sidebar, click “Applications” to open the Applications folder.
• Scroll down and locate the app called “Install macOS Monterey.” It will likely be towards the bottom of the list.
• Right-click on the “Install macOS Monterey” app icon.
• Select “Move to Bin” from the right-click menu.
• A prompt will appear asking you to enter your administrator password to confirm the delete action. Enter your password.
• The “Install macOS Monterey” app will now be moved to your Trash bin. It will be fully deleted upon emptying the Trash.

Method 2: Use Launchpad To Remove The “Install MacOS Monterey” File

• Open Launchpad on your Mac. This is often mapped to a gesture like pinching with thumb & 3 fingers.
• Locate the “Install macOS Monterey” app icon in Launchpad, likely on the last page towards the right.
• Click and hold the “Install macOS Monterey” icon until it starts to jiggle. An “X” will appear on the top left corner of the icon. Click this “X” to delete the app.
• As in Method 1, ensure you empty the Trash to permanently delete the installer and reclaim your disk space.

Alternative Methods For Deletion

A few other advanced ways to remove Install macOS Monterey include using Terminal commands like “sudo rm” to force delete. You can also boot into Recovery Mode to erase the entire startup disk. However, these methods carry a high risk of data loss or system instability. The simplest approach is to use Finder or Launchpad per the instructions above.

Precautions Before Deleting

You need to take into consideration some of these facts before deleting the macOS Monterey app for good: 

• Before deleting the installer, ensure you have a complete backup of your system using Time Machine. This safeguards important files in case issues occur.

• Deleting Monterey’s installer makes downgrading more complex if needed for compatibility reasons. Check that your critical apps and connected devices work properly in Monterey first.

• Determine if freeing up 12GB from deleting unused installer is important for your workflows or system performance. The space gained may not be worth losing the reinstallation safety net.

• Once deleted, the installer can’t be recovered. Move it to Trash temporarily unless storage space is absolutely required right away.

• Review Apple’s own precautions and list of compatible Macs able to run Monterey smoothly before removing your downgrade path.