The fastest way to remove Minecraft

Deleting Minecraft depends on what device you're using and whether you bought it through the Microsoft Store, Steam, or directly from Minecraft.net. On Windows, Mac, and most phones, you uninstall it the same way you remove any other app — through your device's settings or app manager. On Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox, you delete it from your console's storage menu. The process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

Before you delete it, decide what to do with your worlds. Minecraft saves your game worlds separately from the app itself, so deleting the app doesn't automatically erase your saved games — but it also doesn't back them up. If you want to keep your worlds, you need to export them before uninstalling.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting the Minecraft app does not automatically delete your saved worlds, so export them first if you want to keep them.
  • On Windows and Mac, uninstall through Settings or System Preferences; on phones, use your app store's uninstall option.
  • On consoles, go to your storage or library menu and delete the game from there.
  • If you bought Minecraft through the Microsoft Store, you can reinstall it later using the same account without paying again.

Deleting Minecraft on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Go to Apps, then Apps & features. Scroll down until you find Minecraft Launcher or Minecraft (Java Edition), click it, and select Uninstall. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Uninstall again.

If you bought Minecraft through the Microsoft Store instead of the launcher, search for "Minecraft" in Settings' Apps & features, click it, and select Uninstall the same way. The uninstall process removes the launcher and the game files but leaves your saved worlds in a folder on your computer if you want to back them up later.

Deleting Minecraft on Mac

Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Scroll to find Minecraft Launcher, right-click it, and select Move to Trash. If you're using Minecraft Java Edition, look for a folder called "minecraft" or check your Applications folder for the Minecraft app itself, then move it to Trash the same way.

For Minecraft purchased through the Mac App Store, open the App Store, click your account icon in the top right, go to Purchased, find Minecraft, and click the cloud icon with a down arrow to remove it. Empty your Trash afterward to complete the deletion.

Deleting Minecraft on iPhone or iPad

Find the Minecraft app on your home screen, press and hold it until a menu appears, then tap Remove App. Choose Remove from Home Screen if you want to keep it but hide it, or Remove App and then Delete to remove it completely. Confirm by tapping Delete.

If you bought Minecraft through the App Store, you can reinstall it later on any device using the same Apple ID without paying again. Your saved worlds are stored on your device, so deleting the app removes them unless you've backed them up separately.

Deleting Minecraft on Android

Open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, go to Manage my apps & games, find Minecraft, and tap Uninstall. Confirm by tapping Uninstall again. Alternatively, go to your device's Settings, tap Apps, find Minecraft, and select Uninstall.

Like iOS, your saved worlds are stored on your device and will be deleted when you uninstall the app. You can reinstall Minecraft later using the same Google account without paying a second time.

Deleting Minecraft on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox

On Nintendo Switch, go to System Settings, select Data Management, then Delete Software. Find Minecraft and select it, then confirm the deletion. On PlayStation 4 or 5, go to your Library, find Minecraft, press Options, and select Delete. On Xbox One or Series X/S, go to My games & apps, find Minecraft, press the menu button, and select Uninstall.

Console saves are usually stored separately from the game files, so deleting the game doesn't erase your worlds automatically. However, check your console's cloud save settings to make sure your worlds are backed up before you delete the game, since console storage works differently than computers and phones.

Backing up your worlds before you delete

On Windows and Mac, your worlds are saved in a folder that stays on your computer even after you uninstall. On Windows, look in Users > [Your Username] > AppData > Roaming > .minecraft > saves. On Mac, go to Library > Application Support > minecraft > saves. Copy the saves folder to another location on your computer or an external drive before you uninstall.

On phones and consoles, backing up is harder because the files aren't as easy to access. Some players use third-party backup apps or cloud storage, but the simplest method is to export your world through the game itself before uninstalling. Open Minecraft, go to your world, select it, and look for an export or backup option in the menu.

Reinstalling Minecraft after deletion

If you bought Minecraft through the Microsoft Store, Steam, the App Store, or Google Play, you can reinstall it using the same account you used to buy it. You won't be charged again. Go back to the store where you bought it, search for Minecraft, and download it. Your account will recognize that you own it.

If you bought Minecraft Java Edition directly from Minecraft.net, you'll need your original purchase email and password to download it again. If you no longer have access to that email, contact Minecraft Support through their website to recover your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting Minecraft erase my saved worlds?

Deleting the app doesn't automatically erase your worlds on Windows and Mac because they're stored in a separate folder. On phones and consoles, your worlds are usually stored with the app, so they'll be deleted unless you've backed them up first. Always export or copy your worlds before uninstalling if you want to keep them.

Can I reinstall Minecraft for free after I delete it?

Yes, if you bought it through the Microsoft Store, Steam, the App Store, or Google Play. Log in with the same account and reinstall it without paying again. If you bought Java Edition directly from Minecraft.net, you'll need your original purchase email to download it again.

What's the difference between deleting the app and deleting my worlds?

Deleting the app removes the Minecraft program from your device. Deleting your worlds removes your saved games. On computers, these are separate, so you can delete the app and keep your worlds. On phones and consoles, they're usually stored together, so deleting the app removes your worlds too unless you've backed them up.

Do I lose my Minecraft account if I delete the game?

No. Your Minecraft account stays active whether the game is installed or not. When you reinstall, you'll log in with the same account and access your worlds and settings again.

How much storage space does Minecraft take up?

Minecraft itself takes about 1 to 3 GB depending on your device and version. Your saved worlds take additional space — a single world can range from 100 MB to several GB depending on how much you've built and explored. Deleting the app frees up the game's storage, but your worlds stay on your device unless you delete them separately.