Disable Ability to Delete an App(s) on MacBook Pro

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Level 1

8 points

Disable Ability to Delete an App(s) on MacBook Pro

Hi! I have different apps on my MacBook Pro that I use for my wellbeing. Such as a timer that locks my computer down every 25 minutes for 5 minutes to take an "enforced" eye break. And a porn blocker, social media limiter, and other similar things. Although of course, willpower and discipline can fade and cause me to delete these apps in Finder easily and quickly go back to my old bad habits. My question is, is there anyway I can block myself from being apple to delete apps or certain apps on a MacBook Pro?

I know on iOS there's the ability in Screen Time to block oneself from deleting any apps. That would work sufficiently here as well, but seems to be a feature exclusive for iPhones. Does anyone know of anyway I can block myself from being able to delete these apps (or all apps would work too)? Any features in System Preferences, or any third-party softwares on the internet or app store? I could even do a little coding if it wasn't that complicated :-) (but please keep in minded I'm a newbie coder, yet am technologically well-rounded).

Thanks so much!!!!! <3

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jan 2, 2021 7:07 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,300 points

Jan 2, 2021 7:16 AM in response to Noah_Kahn

Create a separate admin user and change your user to standard.

You could still delete things by authenticating as the admin user, but it would be that much harder to do.

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,300 points

Jan 2, 2021 11:06 AM in response to Noah_Kahn

There are settings in some System Preferences that need admin. Make sure to disable the setting to lock all System Prefs.

An admin user only has the special ability to elevate their privileges. So, you would see day to day what requires admin because it would ask even when logged in as admin user. The biggest issue might be when you need to install software.

Run it for a while with you having the admin account password and see how workable it is. If it works, then have your brother change the password.

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Answer 3

Noah_Kahn Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 2, 2021 10:57 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thank you so much! That seems to be a great method, but I'm just curious do you know then what else the administrator name and password is needed to do as a Standard User? I was thinking my brother would only know the admin password, and when I need to delete an app I'd go to him but it would still stop me from deleting apps most of the day which is what I want. I know the admin name and password obviously then is needed to delete apps, but what else? I'm just hoping it won't interfere too much with my work besides deleting apps, and not allowing me to do other things that are ok.

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Disable Ability to Delete an App(s) on MacBook Pro

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