How to Remove Installation Date in macOS: Complete Guide

To remove the installation date of an application in macOS, it’s important to understand that this information is stored in system databases and cannot be easily modified. The installation list in the System Report is a system log of all applications ever installed on your Mac.

Table of Contents

• What is the installations list in macOS?
• Where is installation information stored?
• Why is it difficult to remove installation dates?
• Available removal methods
• Warnings and risks
• Alternative solutions

What is the installations list in macOS?

The installations list in the System Report or System Information represents a complete log of your Mac’s installation history. As explained in Apple Community, this section shows all applications ever installed on the system, including those that have been removed.

Interesting fact: Even if you completely uninstall an application, it will remain in this list because the system tracks the entire installation history. As noted in MacRumors Forums, this is a system log, not just a current list of programs.

Where is installation information stored?

Information about installation dates is stored in several system locations:

1. /private/var/db/receipts

This is the main directory where all installed packages are stored. As explained in Ask Different, this directory contains receipt files in .bom and .plist formats, which contain information about each installed package.

2. System databases

The system uses this data for:

• Tracking software versions
• Managing updates
• Supporting compatibility
• Generating reports in the System Report

Why is it difficult to remove installation dates?

Removing individual installation records is not supported by the system by default for several reasons:

1. System integrity: As warned in Super User, modifying the contents of /private/var can disrupt system operation.

2. Dependencies: Many applications have interdependencies, and removing their records can cause problems.

3. Security: The system intentionally limits access to these databases to prevent accidental damage.

As noted by Peachpit, this interface is designed only for viewing information, not editing it.

Available removal methods

1. Using system tools

Complete application removal

The safest method is to use the official uninstaller for the application, if available. As recommended in Ask Different, many applications provide special tools to remove all traces of their installation.

Drag to trash

Simply dragging an application to the trash, as explained in Ask Different, doesn’t remove all associated files. For this, use:

# Mount the volume as writable
sudo mount -uw /

2. Manual receipt removal (Careful!)

If you understand the risks, you can try to manually remove receipt files:

# View all receipts
ls /private/var/db/receipts/

# Delete specific receipt (DANGEROUS!)
sudo rm /private/var/db/receipts/com.example.app.plist
sudo rm /private/var/db/receipts/com.example.app.bom

Important: This method can cause system failures. As warned by iBoysoft, you should not modify or delete the folder as these files are necessary for the operating system to function.

Warnings and risks

Potential problems when deleting system files:

1. System disruption

   • The system may no longer update correctly
   • Possible failures when installing new software
   • Some macOS components may stop working

2. Update issues

   • The system may not recognize installed updates
   • Possible version conflicts

3. Data loss

   • Some applications may lose license information
   • Settings and data may be corrupted

As emphasized in Mac OS X Hints, most modern package receipts are located in /private/var/db/receipts, and their accidental deletion can be dangerous.

Alternative solutions

1. Ignoring the information

Simply accept that the system will show the entire installation history. This is normal and doesn’t affect performance.

2. Regular system cleanup

Use specialized Mac cleanup utilities that properly remove applications:

• AppCleaner
• CleanMyMac
• MacKeeper

3. Creating a clean system

In extreme cases, consider:

• Restoring from a backup without old installations
• Installing a clean system (requires data backup)

4. Limiting access rights

Set appropriate access permissions to system folders to prevent accidental changes:

# Limit access to /private/var/db
sudo chmod 755 /private/var/db

Sources

1. How to remove “Installations” in system report? - Ask Different
2. Removing “Legacy Software” and “Installations” lists from System Information - Ask Different
3. System Report - “Software Installations” section - Apple Community
4. Removing programs from installation list in macOS - MacRumors Forums
5. Purpose of /private/var/db/receipts directory - Ask Different
6. Can I delete contents of /private/var folder? - Super User
7. How to access and safely clean private/var folder on Mac - iBoysoft

Conclusion

1. Application installation dates are stored in system databases and are not intended for removal by regular users.

2. The safest approach is to use official application uninstallers and specialized cleanup utilities.

3. Manual removal of system receipt files can disrupt system operation and is not recommended for regular users.

4. An alternative is to ignore this information or create a clean system through backup.

5. Regular system cleanup with trusted utilities will help maintain the system in order without risking damage to system components.

If you need to hide certain applications from the system report, it’s better to use professional system administration tools or consult macOS specialists.