How to Delete Chrome from Mac: What You Can and Can’t Do in 2025

Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers available today, but you may find yourself needing to remove it from your Mac for a variety of reasons whether it’s due to performance issues, security concerns, or simply preferring another browser. In 2025, the process to delete Chrome from your Mac is straightforward, but there are a few things you should know. This guide explains the steps to uninstall Chrome, what you can and can’t do, and the best alternatives available.

Can You Delete Chrome from Mac?

Yes, you can delete Chrome from your Mac. However, it’s important to remember that simply dragging Chrome to the Trash may leave behind additional files and settings. For a complete removal, you will need to delete these residual files as well.

What You Can Do:

• Uninstall Google Chrome: You can remove the main Chrome application easily. 
• Delete Chrome-related files: You can remove residual files, settings, and caches that are stored on your system. 
• Reinstall Chrome if needed: If you decide to reinstall Chrome later, you can do so at any time. 

What You Can’t Do:

• Completely remove Chrome-related data from Google servers: If you’ve signed into Chrome with a Google account, your data (such as bookmarks, history, and settings) will remain accessible across devices when you sign in again. 
• Uninstall Chrome from the Mac App Store: Google Chrome is not available through the Mac App Store, so you won’t be able to remove it using macOS’s built-in App Store management tools. 

How to Delete Chrome from Mac

Here’s how to remove Google Chrome from your Mac completely:

Step 1: Uninstall Chrome from Applications

1. Open the Finder window. 
2. Navigate to the Applications folder. 
3. Find Google Chrome in the list of apps. 
4. Drag Google Chrome to the Trash, or right-click and select Move to Trash.
   

This will remove the main Google Chrome application from your Mac.

Delete Chrome-related Files

Even after deleting the application, some files remain in your system. To fully remove Chrome from your Mac, follow these steps:

1. In the Finder, click Go in the top menu and select Go to Folder.
   

Type the following path into the box:

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~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome

1.  and press Go. 
2. Delete the entire Chrome folder. 
3. Repeat the process for these other paths to remove any leftover Chrome-related files: 
   • ~/Library/Caches/Google/Chrome 
   • ~/Library/Preferences/com.google.Chrome.plist 
   • ~/Library/Saved Application State/com.google.Chrome.savedState
     

These steps remove user-related data such as settings, caches, and preferences.

Empty the Trash

After you’ve removed all the necessary files:

1. Right-click on the Trash icon in your dock. 
2. Select Empty Trash to permanently delete Chrome and its files.
   

This ensures that Chrome is fully removed from your Mac.

How to Reinstall Chrome on Mac

If you decide to reinstall Chrome at a later date, it’s easy to do:

1. Open Safari or any other browser on your Mac. 
2. Go to the Google Chrome website. 
3. Download the latest version of Chrome for Mac. 
4. Once the download is complete, open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Chrome.
   

Reinstalling Chrome will give you a fresh start, with no residual files from the previous installation.

Can You Delete Chrome from Mac Using Terminal?

Yes, you can use the Terminal app to remove Chrome, but this method requires more advanced knowledge of macOS and is not recommended for beginners. The process involves using commands to manually delete Chrome’s files, which can be risky if you delete the wrong files. For most users, the method outlined above using Finder is safer and easier.

How to Stop Chrome from Automatically Launching on Startup

If Chrome is automatically opening when you start your Mac and you want to stop it without deleting the app, follow these steps:

1. Open System Preferences on your Mac. 
2. Go to Users & Groups. 
3. Click on the Login Items tab. 
4. Locate Google Chrome in the list. 
5. Select it and click the minus (-) button to remove it from the startup list.
   

This will prevent Chrome from launching automatically on startup but will not uninstall it.

Will Google Chrome Ever Let You Uninstall More Easily?

As of 2025, there’s no indication that Google Chrome will change how it’s uninstalled on macOS. The process of deleting Chrome and related files is fairly straightforward, but you will always need to manually delete residual data to ensure a complete uninstallation. Given Chrome’s widespread use, it’s unlikely that Google will introduce more automated uninstall options in the near future.

FAQs About Deleting Google Chrome from Mac

Can I permanently remove all my data when deleting Chrome?

No, your Chrome data, such as bookmarks, settings, and history, is linked to your Google account and will remain on Google’s servers unless you delete it through your account settings.

Can I delete Chrome from the Mac App Store?

No, Google Chrome is not available on the Mac App Store, so it cannot be uninstalled from there.

Can I stop Chrome from automatically starting up without deleting it?

Yes, you can stop Chrome from opening at startup by removing it from the Login Items section in System Preferences.

Will deleting Chrome affect other Google services?

No, deleting Chrome from your Mac will not affect other Google services such as Gmail, Google Drive, or Google Photos, as they are accessed via your web browser.

How do I reinstall Chrome after deleting it from my Mac?

To reinstall Chrome, go to the Google Chrome website and download the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall it.