Embedded Files
Have you ever wanted to delete an app for space reasons or just because of OCD? Have you ever wanted to edit system files because you should be able to do that on a Unix-based system like macOS? Well, now you can! If you only want to use this guide to get write access to /system, then skip to step 4.
1. Necessary files (only if you are removing system apps):
Root user Desktop
Instructions Download
Command + Directions Download
Command Download
2. Replacement App Downloads:
IINA
Replacing QuickTime Player
Free download ✔️
Replacing FaceTime and Messages
Free download ✔️
Google Earth
Replacing Maps
Free download ✔️
Google Chrome
Replacing Safari
Free download ✔️
Parallels Desktop
Replacing Boot Camp
Pre-activated by affiliate ✔️
3. Additional App Downloads:
TinkerTool
Expanding System Preferences
Free download ✔️
Feedback Assistant
For givin' Apple a piece of your mind
Free download ✔️
VLC Media Player
Replacing QuickTime Player
Free download ✔️
This new method is incompatible with older versions of macOS. Please upgrade to macOS Big Sur or Monterey. Click here to upgrade now. If you are already using Big Sur or Monterey, you can ignore this message.
This new method is incompatible with older versions of macOS. Please upgrade to macOS Big Sur or Monterey. Click here to upgrade now. If you are already using Big Sur or Monterey, you can ignore this message.
4. How to do it:
4. How to do it:
AirDrop this site to your iPhone so you can read it on your phone.
Shut down your computer.
Power it back on, holding ⌘+R until the apple logo appears on the screen.
On the top bar, click utilities > terminal.
Type:
csrutil authenticated-root disable (press enter)
csrutil disable (press enter)
It will say "system integrity protection is now disabled."
Shut down your computer.
Power it back on, holding ⌥ (Option) until the Hard Drive appears on screen
Press enter.
Log in to your account
Enable the root account
open spotlight (press ⌘+Space) and type directory utility
open directory utility and in the menu bar go to edit --> Enable root user
(or read this support.apple.com article). Write down the password you set for the root account.
Unplug all USB Devices and restart.
Log in to the root account.
Username: root
Password: [whatever password you set]
From terminal:
diskutil list
Make sure to take note of the mount-point of your system drive.
Now you have two options to continue:
Now you have two options to continue:
OPTION ONE -- MAKE CUSTOM MODIFICATIONS (recommended)
This option is encouraged as it allows you to select what you modify.
Type the following text into the terminal window.
mkdir mnt
sudo mount -o nobrowse -t apfs /dev/disk1s5 mnt/
Once mounted, It is highly encouraged to PLUG IN A USB THUMB DRIVE AND BACKUP ALL APPS THAT YOU INTEND TO MODIFY!!!
If you are deleting apps, follow the following step. be careful as they will be ACTUALLY DELETED and the only way to get them back is to copy them back from your external drive.
sudo rm -rf mnt[DRAG_APP_HERE]
For example:
sudo rm -rf mnt/system/Applications/Chess.app
This is the part where you can modify system files. just go to /private/var/root/mnt and make whatever changes you need.
This is the part where you can modify system files. just go to /private/var/root/mnt and make whatever changes you need.
After you finish modifying files, run one of the following commands to save your changes:
Intel-based Macs:
sudo bless --folder mnt/System/Library/CoreServices --bootefi --create-snapshot && sudo reboot
Macs with Apple Silicon or Intel-based Macs with T2 Security Chip:
sudo bless --mount "mnt/System/Library/CoreServices/" --setBoot --create-snapshot
reboot
OPTION TWO -- NUKE EVERYTHING
This [Only One Command!] will delete most apps and will probably break your system.
AirDrop the TXT file (download here) from your iPhone to your Mac on your main user
Move it to /private/var/root/Desktop/
Log in to the root user again.
Paste the following text into the terminal window. After it finishes pasting, if it asks you for your password, enter the password you set for the root user.
mkdir mnt
sudo mount -o nobrowse -t apfs /dev/disk1s5 mnt/
Once mounted, It is highly encouraged to PLUG IN A USB THUMB DRIVE AND BACKUP ALL APPS!!1!
Once backed up, copy this into the terminal window and wait until it finishes, then press enter.
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Home.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Calculator.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Contacts.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Mail.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Font\ Book.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/FaceTime.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Books.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Dashboard.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/FaceTime.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Dictionary.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Reminders.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/TV.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Podcasts.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Digital\ Color\ Meter.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Boot\ Camp\ Assistant.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Maps.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/News.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Notes.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Books.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Chess.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Photo\ Booth.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Photos.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/QuickTime\ Player.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Shortcuts.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Siri.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Stickies.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Stocks.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/VoiceMemos.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Image\ Capture.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Messages.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/FaceTime.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Font\ Book.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Mail.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Contacts.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Calculator.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/Applications/Clippy.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Calendar.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Calculator.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/Applications/Grammarly\ for\ Safari.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/Applications/Omni\ Remover.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Music.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Launchpad.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Migration\ Assistant.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Audio\ MIDI\ Setup.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/VoiceOver\ Utility.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Grapher.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/ColorSync\ Utility.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/Wireless\ Diagnostics.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Stickies.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Time\ Machine.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Photos.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Mission\ Control.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Preview.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/QuickTime\ Player.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/Applications/Safari.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Shortcuts.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Siri.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Automator.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/App\ Store.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/FindMy.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/AirPort\ Utility.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Bluetooth\ File\ Exchange.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Console.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Disk\ Utility.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Keychain\ Access.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Screenshot.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Script\ Editor.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/System\ Information.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/System\ Preferences.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/TextEdit.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Activity\ Monitor.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/About\ This\ Mac.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/Directory\ Utility.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/DVD\ Player.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/Feedback\ Assistant.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/Folder\ Actions\ Setup.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/iOS\ App\ Installer.app
sudo rm -rf mnt/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/Screen\ Sharing.app
sudo bless --folder mnt/System/Library/CoreServices --bootefi --create-snapshot && sudo dsenableroot -d && sudo reboot
Now you are done!
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