How to Uninstall VPN on Mac

Why uninstall VPN on Mac?

Uninstalling a VPN from your Mac can be a smart choice if you’re switching to a new provider and want to prevent potential conflicts. We also believe it’s a good idea to remove a VPN from your Mac if you notice it’s causing performance issues or slowing your Internet connection. Additionally, you might consider deleting it if you have privacy concerns about your VPN provider.

Despite these valid reasons for uninstalling a VPN, you should remember that VPNs also offer significant advantages. If you decide to set up a VPN again in the future, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on how to set up a VPN on Mac.

A note from our experts: 

 

Looking for a comprehensive solution to remove your VPN and all associated files? MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller makes the process easy. Developed by Clario Tech, MacKeeper is a leading macOS utility that protects your Mac, monitors performance, and optimizes your Mac with thorough cleanups.

 

Follow our tips to benefit from MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller:

1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac/MacBook.
2. Select Smart Uninstaller under Cleaning.
3. Hit Start Scan.
4. Select all relevant categories from the list.
5. Click Removed Selected, then choose Remove to confirm.

How to delete VPN on Mac?

To remove a VPN from your Mac, we recommend following the standard process for uninstalling an app on macOS: close the VPN app, move it to the Trash, and delete any associated files. We also suggest taking special care during this process to avoid potential conflicts or future Internet connectivity issues. If you encounter any difficulties, you may need to use Terminal for a more thorough removal.

If you only want to pause your VPN rather than uninstall it completely, check out our tutorial on how to turn off a VPN on Mac.

1. Quit VPN app

As a first step, we suggest properly closing the VPN app you wish to remove. Simply clicking the red dot in the upper left corner only closes the window, not the app itself.

Here’s how to fully close the VPN app before uninstalling:

1. Click the VPN icon in your Mac’s Dock.
2. Select your VPN name from the menu bar.
3. Choose Quit from the dropdown menu.
4. Alternatively, right-click the VPN icon in the Dock, then select Quit.

2. Move VPN app to Trash

Next, you’ll need to delete your VPN app. Follow our tips below for a complete removal:

1. In Finder, go to the Applications folder.
2. Find your VPN app.
3. Right-click on it and select Move to Bin/Trash. Alternatively, drag the icon to your Mac’s Trash.

3. Remove associated files and folders

However, simply moving the VPN app to the Trash isn’t enough. We also recommend learning how to delete all application files on Mac before emptying the Trash, to ensure a complete uninstallation.

We explain the steps to remove all files and folders associated with your VPN below:

1. Open Finder.
2. Select Go in the menu bar, then choose Go to Folder.
3. Type the following addresses to visit all folders that may contain associated files and folders:
   • /Applications/
   • ~/Library
   • ~/Library/Application Support
   • ~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter/
   • /Library/Caches and ~/Library/Caches
   • ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/
   • ~/Library/Preferences
   • ~/Library/Saved Application State/
4. Select all associated files and drag them to the Trash.

4. Checking for VPN leftover files

Our next recommendation is to use a third-party tool, such as MacKeeper, to remove any leftover files you may have missed. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open MacKeeper, then select Smart Uninstaller in the sidebar.
2. Click the Start Scan button.
3. Choose the Leftovers category.
4. Click Removed Selected, then click Remove.

5. Use Terminal for uninstalling VPN app

If the standard method for removing your VPN hasn’t worked, we suggest using the Terminal utility as a last resort.

Here’s our straightforward guide to uninstalling a VPN with Terminal:

1. Open Finder, then go to the Applications folder.
2. Open the Utilities folder.
3. Launch Terminal.
4. Type the sudo /opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/vpn_uninstall.sh command.
5. Enter your admin password.
6. Type Yes when prompted.

How to get rid of VPN on Mac for good?

VPNs are excellent tools for protecting your privacy online and accessing content restricted by geolocation. However, if your VPN starts interfering with your Internet connection, you may need to remove it. While uninstalling can be as simple as moving the app to the Trash and deleting any leftover files, thorough removal is important to prevent future conflicts.

Before resorting to this step, consider other options, like learning how to change your VPN location on Mac, to see if they resolve your connectivity issues.

If you decide to remove your VPN, be sure to do it thoroughly to avoid potential issues with other utilities on your Mac. MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller makes the process simple and effective. Notarized by Apple and trusted by millions of users, MacKeeper is a leading Mac optimization tool that ensures your system stays clean and efficient. Try it yourself!