How to Completely Uninstall MacKeeper: A Step-by-Step Guide

MacKeeper, a utility suite for macOS, has garnered mixed reviews over the years. While it claims to optimize and protect your Mac, some users have reported aggressive advertising tactics and concerns about its effectiveness. If you’ve decided that MacKeeper isn’t for you and want to remove it from your system, it’s crucial to do so thoroughly to avoid leaving behind residual files that can slow down your Mac or cause other issues. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed, step-by-step process for completely uninstalling MacKeeper, ensuring a clean and efficient removal.

Why Uninstall MacKeeper?

Before diving into the removal process, let’s briefly touch on why you might want to uninstall MacKeeper in the first place:

* **Aggressive Advertising:** MacKeeper is known for its persistent pop-up ads and notifications, often urging users to purchase the full version or renew their subscription.
* **Questionable Effectiveness:** Some users have questioned the effectiveness of MacKeeper’s features, claiming that they don’t significantly improve Mac performance or security.
* **System Slowdown:** Ironically, MacKeeper can sometimes slow down your Mac due to its resource-intensive processes and constant background activity.
* **Unwanted Software:** In some cases, MacKeeper has been bundled with other software, leading to users installing it unintentionally.
* **Privacy Concerns:** As with any software that has deep access to your system, there are potential privacy concerns associated with MacKeeper.

If you’ve experienced any of these issues or simply want to remove MacKeeper for other reasons, follow the steps below to ensure a complete and clean uninstall.

Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstalling MacKeeper

The following steps outline the process for uninstalling MacKeeper. It’s crucial to follow each step carefully to ensure that all components are removed from your system.

**Step 1: Quit MacKeeper**

Before attempting to uninstall MacKeeper, you must first ensure that it’s completely closed. Simply closing the main window may not be enough, as some background processes might still be running.

1. **Check the Menu Bar:** Look for the MacKeeper icon in the menu bar (usually located at the top-right corner of your screen). If you see it, click on it and select “Quit MacKeeper” or “Exit.”
2. **Force Quit (if necessary):** If MacKeeper is unresponsive or you can’t find the quit option in the menu bar, you can force quit the application. To do this:
* Press **Command (⌘) + Option + Escape** keys simultaneously.
* The “Force Quit Applications” window will appear.
* Select “MacKeeper” from the list of applications.
* Click the “Force Quit” button.
* Confirm your action by clicking “Force Quit” again in the confirmation dialog.

**Step 2: Uninstall MacKeeper Using the Uninstaller**

MacKeeper comes with its own uninstaller, which is the recommended method for removing the application. Here’s how to use it:

1. **Open Finder:** Click on the Finder icon in your Dock.
2. **Go to Applications:** In the Finder window, click on “Applications” in the sidebar.
3. **Locate MacKeeper:** Find the MacKeeper application icon in the Applications folder.
4. **Run the Uninstaller:**
* **Method 1 (Recommended):** Right-click (or Control-click) on the MacKeeper icon.
* If an “Uninstall MacKeeper” option appears in the context menu, click on it to launch the uninstaller.
* **Method 2:** Double-click the MacKeeper icon to open the application.
* MacKeeper might display a window prompting you to enter your administrator password or asking you to confirm that you want to uninstall it.
* Look for an “Uninstall MacKeeper” option within the application’s interface. This may be located in the Preferences or Settings menu.
5. **Follow the Uninstaller Instructions:** The MacKeeper uninstaller will guide you through the removal process. Carefully read and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. **Provide Feedback (Optional):** The uninstaller may ask you for feedback on why you’re uninstalling MacKeeper. You can choose to provide feedback or skip this step.
7. **Enter Your Administrator Password (if prompted):** You may be asked to enter your administrator password to authorize the uninstallation process.
8. **Complete the Uninstallation:** Once the uninstallation process is complete, the uninstaller will notify you. It may also ask you to restart your Mac. If prompted, restart your computer to ensure that all components are completely removed.

**Step 3: Manually Remove Remaining Files and Folders**

Even after using the uninstaller, some residual files and folders may remain on your system. It’s essential to remove these files to ensure a complete uninstall. Be extremely careful when deleting files from your system folders, as deleting the wrong files can cause instability or data loss. If you’re unsure about deleting a particular file or folder, it’s best to leave it alone or seek expert advice.

1. **Open Finder:** Click on the Finder icon in your Dock.
2. **Go to Library Folders:** The Library folders contain application support files and other data. There are two Library folders you need to check:
* **User Library:** This Library folder is specific to your user account.
* **System Library:** This Library folder is for the entire system.

To access the Library folders:

* **User Library:**
* Hold down the **Option** key.
* Click on the **Go** menu in the Finder menu bar.
* Select “Library” from the dropdown menu. This will open your User Library folder.
* **System Library:**
* Click on the **Go** menu in the Finder menu bar.
* Select “Go to Folder…” (or press **Shift + Command + G**).
* Enter `/Library` in the text field and press Enter.

3. **Search for MacKeeper-Related Files and Folders:** In both the User Library and System Library folders, look for files and folders with names related to MacKeeper or its developer, Kromtech Alliance Corp. Here are some common locations and file names to check:

* **Application Support:** `/Library/Application Support/MacKeeper` and `~/Library/Application Support/MacKeeper`
* **Caches:** `/Library/Caches/com.mackeeper.MacKeeper` and `~/Library/Caches/com.mackeeper.MacKeeper`
* **Cookies:** `~/Library/Cookies/com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.binarycookies`
* **Launch Agents:** `/Library/LaunchAgents/com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.Helper.plist` and `~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.Helper.plist`
* **Launch Daemons:** `/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.plugin.AntiTheft.daemon.plist`
* **Preferences:** `~/Library/Preferences/com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.plist` and `~/Library/Preferences/com.kromtech.MacKeeper.plist`
* **Saved Application State:** `~/Library/Saved Application State/com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.savedState`
* **Containers:** `/Library/Containers/com.mackeeper.MacKeeper` and `~/Library/Containers/com.mackeeper.MacKeeper`

**Important Notes:**

* The `~` symbol in a file path represents your user home directory.
* Some of these files or folders may not exist on your system, depending on the version of MacKeeper you had installed and how it was used.
* Be cautious when deleting files from the LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons folders, as these files control processes that run in the background. Only delete files that you are certain are related to MacKeeper.

4. **Move Files and Folders to the Trash:** Once you’ve identified the MacKeeper-related files and folders, drag them to the Trash icon in your Dock.

**Step 4: Empty the Trash**

After moving the MacKeeper files and folders to the Trash, you need to empty the Trash to permanently delete them from your system.

1. **Right-click (or Control-click) on the Trash icon in your Dock.**
2. **Select “Empty Trash” from the context menu.**
3. **Confirm your action by clicking “Empty Trash” in the confirmation dialog.**

**Warning:** Emptying the Trash permanently deletes the files. Make sure you’ve reviewed the files in the Trash before emptying it to avoid accidentally deleting important data.

**Step 5: Reset Your Web Browsers (if necessary)**

MacKeeper has been known to install browser extensions or modify browser settings without user consent. If you’ve experienced any unwanted changes to your web browsers, such as a different homepage or search engine, you may need to reset your browsers to their default settings.

Here’s how to reset the most popular web browsers:

* **Safari:**
1. Open Safari.
2. Click on the “Safari” menu in the menu bar.
3. Select “Preferences.”
4. Go to the “Extensions” tab and uninstall any MacKeeper-related extensions.
5. Go to the “General” tab and set your desired homepage.
6. Go to the “Search” tab and choose your preferred search engine.
7. Clear History: “History” menu > “Clear History…”
* **Google Chrome:**
1. Open Chrome.
2. Click on the three vertical dots (Menu icon) in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Settings.”
4. Click on “Extensions” in the left-hand sidebar and remove any MacKeeper-related extensions.
5. Under “Search engine,” choose your preferred search engine.
6. Under “On startup,” choose your preferred startup page.
7. Reset Settings: “Advanced” > “Reset and clean up” > “Restore settings to their original defaults”
* **Mozilla Firefox:**
1. Open Firefox.
2. Click on the three horizontal lines (Menu icon) in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Add-ons.”
4. Go to the “Extensions” tab and remove any MacKeeper-related extensions.
5. Click on the three horizontal lines (Menu icon) again and select “Options.”
6. Go to the “Home” tab and set your desired homepage.
7. Go to the “Search” tab and choose your preferred search engine.
8. Reset Settings: Click the menu button, then click Help and select Troubleshooting Information. Click Refresh Firefox, then Refresh Firefox to confirm.

**Step 6: Scan Your Mac for Malware (Optional)**

Although uninstalling MacKeeper should remove the application and its associated files, it’s always a good idea to scan your Mac for malware to ensure that no other malicious software was installed alongside MacKeeper. You can use a reputable antivirus program for macOS to perform a thorough scan of your system.

Some popular antivirus programs for macOS include:

* **Malwarebytes for Mac (Free and Premium versions available)**
* **Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac**
* **Norton 360 for Mac**
* **Intego Mac Internet Security X9**

**Step 7: Consider Using a Dedicated Uninstaller Tool (If Problems Persist)**

If you’re still having trouble completely uninstalling MacKeeper or if you suspect that there are still residual files on your system, you can consider using a dedicated uninstaller tool. These tools are designed to thoroughly remove applications and their associated files, ensuring a clean uninstall.

Some popular uninstaller tools for macOS include:

* **AppCleaner (Free)**
* **CleanMyMac X (Paid)**
* **AppZapper (Paid)**

**Important Considerations When Using Uninstaller Tools:**

* **Read Reviews:** Before using any uninstaller tool, read reviews and research its reputation to ensure that it’s safe and reliable.
* **Create a Backup:** Before using an uninstaller tool, it’s always a good idea to create a backup of your Mac in case something goes wrong.
* **Use with Caution:** Use uninstaller tools with caution and carefully review the files and folders that they identify for removal before proceeding.

Preventing Future Issues

Once you’ve successfully uninstalled MacKeeper, here are some tips to help you prevent similar issues in the future:

* **Be Careful When Downloading Software:** Only download software from trusted sources, such as the Mac App Store or the developer’s official website. Avoid downloading software from third-party download sites, as these sites may bundle unwanted software with the applications you’re trying to download.
* **Read the Fine Print:** Always read the terms and conditions and the installation instructions carefully before installing any software. Pay attention to any checkboxes or options that may install additional software or change your browser settings.
* **Use a Reputable Antivirus Program:** Install a reputable antivirus program and keep it up to date to protect your Mac from malware and other threats.
* **Be Skeptical of Pop-up Ads:** Be skeptical of pop-up ads and notifications that claim your Mac has problems or needs optimization. These ads are often used to trick users into installing unwanted software.
* **Keep Your macOS Up to Date:** Regularly update your macOS to the latest version to ensure that you have the latest security patches and bug fixes.

Conclusion

Uninstalling MacKeeper can be a bit of a process, but by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a complete and clean removal. Remember to be cautious when deleting files from your system folders and to always back up your Mac before making significant changes. By taking these precautions, you can keep your Mac running smoothly and protect it from unwanted software.

By following these steps and being diligent, you can successfully remove MacKeeper from your Mac and prevent future issues. Remember to always exercise caution when installing new software and to keep your system protected with a reputable antivirus program.