Completely Uninstall MacKeeper: A Detailed Guide to Removing This Stubborn Mac Application

MacKeeper is a widely advertised application that claims to optimize and protect your macOS system. However, it often gets a reputation for being intrusive, difficult to uninstall, and sometimes exhibiting behaviors that are borderline malware. Many users find themselves frustrated with its persistent pop-ups and notifications, prompting them to look for ways to completely remove it. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the detailed steps to uninstall MacKeeper effectively and reclaim your Mac’s resources.

Why Uninstall MacKeeper?

Before diving into the removal process, let’s understand why many users want to uninstall MacKeeper:

• Aggressive Marketing Tactics: MacKeeper employs aggressive advertising strategies, often popping up unexpectedly on various websites.
• Intrusive Notifications: The application constantly pushes notifications, urging users to perform scans and purchase premium features.
• Questionable Effectiveness: While marketed as a Mac optimizer, its actual impact on system performance is debatable, and many users find it offers little real value.
• Difficulty Uninstalling: MacKeeper is notoriously difficult to uninstall using standard methods, often leaving behind residual files that can continue to cause issues.
• Potential Privacy Concerns: Some users have voiced concerns about the application’s data collection practices.
• System Resource Hog: It can consume significant system resources, slowing down your Mac, especially if you are using an older device.

If you’ve experienced any of these issues, it’s time to take action and completely remove MacKeeper from your system.

Important Considerations Before Uninstalling

Before you begin the uninstall process, it’s important to keep these points in mind:

• Back Up Your Mac: As with any significant system change, it’s wise to back up your Mac using Time Machine or your preferred backup method. This way, you can restore your system if something goes wrong.
• Close MacKeeper: Ensure that MacKeeper is completely closed before you attempt the removal. This includes not just closing the main window but also quitting it from the menu bar and any associated processes that might be running in the background.
• Use the Correct Methods: Avoid simply dragging the MacKeeper application to the trash. This will not remove all of its files and settings. Follow the steps outlined below for a complete removal.
• Be Patient: The removal process may take some time, especially if you need to search for and delete multiple files.

Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstalling MacKeeper

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you completely remove MacKeeper from your Mac:

Step 1: Quit MacKeeper Completely

Before you begin, you must ensure that MacKeeper is not running. Here’s how to do that:

1. Close the Main Window: If MacKeeper’s main window is open, click the red ‘x’ button in the top-left corner to close it.
2. Check the Menu Bar: Look for the MacKeeper icon in your Mac’s menu bar (usually at the top-right corner of the screen). If it’s present, click on it and then select ‘Quit’ from the menu.
3. Force Quit (If Necessary): If you can’t quit MacKeeper using the menu bar, you might need to force quit it. Press Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + Escape keys to open the ‘Force Quit Applications’ window. Select ‘MacKeeper’ from the list and click the ‘Force Quit’ button. Confirm by clicking ‘Force Quit’ again if prompted.

Step 2: Use the MacKeeper Uninstaller (If Available)

Some versions of MacKeeper include their own uninstaller. Here’s how to use it, if available:

1. Locate the MacKeeper Application: Open ‘Finder’ and navigate to your ‘Applications’ folder.
2. Check for an Uninstaller: Look for the MacKeeper application. It might have an uninstaller application located within its folder. For example, you may see something like ‘Uninstall MacKeeper’ alongside the main MacKeeper app. Double click this to begin the uninstallation.
3. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: The uninstaller should guide you through the uninstall process. Follow the on-screen prompts to proceed. This might require entering your admin password.
4. Restart Your Mac: After the uninstallation is complete, the uninstaller may ask you to restart your computer. Do so to ensure the changes are fully implemented.

Note: This method might not remove all MacKeeper-related files, and you will need to continue with the following steps to ensure a complete removal.

Step 3: Manually Remove Remaining MacKeeper Files

Even after using the uninstaller, MacKeeper often leaves behind residual files. Here’s how to manually find and remove them:

1. Open ‘Finder’: Click on the ‘Finder’ icon in your Dock.
2. Go to ‘Go’ Menu: In the top menu bar, click on the ‘Go’ menu.
3. Select ‘Go to Folder’: From the ‘Go’ menu, select ‘Go to Folder…’ or press Shift + Command (⌘) + G.
4. Enter File Paths: In the dialog box that appears, enter each of the following paths one by one and click the ‘Go’ button. Look for files and folders related to MacKeeper. If you find any related files or folders, drag them to the Trash.

Here are some common locations where MacKeeper files may reside:

• ~/Library/Application Support

Look for a folder named “MacKeeper” or a similar name and drag it to the Trash.

• ~/Library/Caches

Search for folders or files associated with “MacKeeper”.

• ~/Library/LaunchAgents

Locate any files with names starting with “com.mackeeper.”, for example “com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.plist”, “com.mackeeper.Helper.plist” or similar files and drag them to the Trash.

• /Library/LaunchAgents

Same as above, look for files starting with “com.mackeeper.”.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons

Again, search for files related to “MacKeeper”, like “com.mackeeper.MacKeeperUpdater.plist” or files starting with “com.mackeeper.”.

• /Library/Application Support

Look for a “MacKeeper” folder in this location.

• /Library/Caches

Check for any MacKeeper-related cache data here.

• /Library/Preferences

Search for preference files that may have a “mackeeper” prefix or appear related to “ZeoBIT” (the parent company of MacKeeper).

• /Applications

Make sure the main MacKeeper application folder is gone.

• ~/Library/Saved Application State

Look for any folders associated with MacKeeper and delete them.

• /private/var/db/receipts/

Look for and remove any MacKeeper related `.plist` files, such as `com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.plist`.

Note: The ~ symbol represents your user’s home folder. When browsing the Library folder, ensure that you’re looking inside the correct directory (either your user’s Library or the root Library) or else you will not be able to see the files mentioned above.

Important: Be very careful when deleting files from the Library folder. Removing the wrong files could cause issues with your system. If you are uncertain about a file, it’s best to leave it alone.

Step 4: Empty the Trash

After dragging all the MacKeeper-related files to the Trash, you need to empty it to permanently remove them from your system:

1. Right-Click the Trash Icon: In your Dock, right-click (or Control-click) the Trash icon.
2. Select ‘Empty Trash’: From the context menu, select ‘Empty Trash’.
3. Confirm Emptying Trash: A confirmation dialog may appear. Click ‘Empty Trash’ to confirm.

Step 5: Reset Safari and Other Browsers (Optional)

MacKeeper can sometimes modify browser settings, especially if it was installed through a bundled application or if it has its own extensions. It is recommended that you check for and remove any MacKeeper related browser extensions. Here’s how to reset Safari and other common browsers:

Safari

1. Open Safari: Launch Safari.
2. Go to Safari Menu: Click the ‘Safari’ menu in the top menu bar.
3. Select ‘Preferences’: Click on ‘Preferences’.
4. Go to ‘Extensions’: Click the ‘Extensions’ tab.
5. Uninstall MacKeeper Extension: If you find any MacKeeper-related extensions listed, select them and click the ‘Uninstall’ button.
6. Go to Privacy Tab: Click the Privacy Tab and then click on ‘Manage Website Data’. Remove any entries related to MacKeeper from the website data list.
7. Reset Safari: If you still have issues, you can choose the nuclear option of resetting Safari, by selecting ‘Safari’ > ‘Clear History’ and then selecting ‘All History’ in the next screen and clearing your history.

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome: Launch Google Chrome.
2. Go to Chrome Menu: Click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner (the ‘Customize and control Google Chrome’ button).
3. Select ‘More Tools’: Hover over ‘More tools’ and then click ‘Extensions’.
4. Remove MacKeeper Extension: Look for any MacKeeper-related extensions. Click the ‘Remove’ button next to each one.
5. Reset Chrome: If you suspect more invasive changes, click the three vertical dots > ‘Settings’ > ‘Reset settings’ and then click ‘Restore settings to their original defaults’. Then click Reset settings to confirm the reset.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox: Launch Mozilla Firefox.
2. Go to Menu: Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner (the ‘Open Menu’ button).
3. Select ‘Add-ons and Themes’: Click on ‘Add-ons and themes’.
4. Go to Extensions: Click ‘Extensions’ on the left sidebar.
5. Remove MacKeeper Extension: Remove any MacKeeper-related extensions by clicking the three dots beside the extension name and choosing ‘Remove’.
6. Reset Firefox: If you need to, click the three horizontal lines > Help > Troubleshooting Information, and then click ‘Refresh Firefox’ to reset the browser.

Step 6: Restart Your Mac

After you’ve completed all the steps above, restart your Mac to ensure all changes take effect. This should eliminate any remaining MacKeeper files and processes from your system.

Additional Tips

• Use Anti-Malware Software: Run a scan with a reputable anti-malware program to ensure no residual files or threats remain. There are a number of free options that are well-regarded including Malwarebytes for Mac.
• Check Login Items: Go to ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Users & Groups’ > Select your user > ‘Login Items’ and remove anything that is related to MacKeeper.
• Be Cautious When Installing Software: Be vigilant about where you download software from. Only install applications from trusted sources, and be mindful of bundled software to avoid future encounters with programs like MacKeeper.
• Review Your Download History: Review your download history in all browsers and ensure that you don’t have any other unexpected downloads which might pose a security risk to your Mac.

Conclusion

MacKeeper can be a persistent application that’s difficult to remove, but by following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to completely uninstall it from your Mac. Remember to be thorough and follow each step carefully to ensure no residual files or settings are left behind. By taking these steps, you can regain control over your Mac and prevent similar intrusive software from affecting your system in the future. Remember, vigilance and a bit of extra effort are key to keeping your Mac safe and running optimally.