Need Help Uninstalling Zoom on Mac - Step-by-Step Guide?

General
1

Hey everyone, I accidentally installed Zoom on my Mac and it’s causing some issues. Not sure how to completely uninstall it. Can someone walk me through the process? Thanks!

2

Sure thing! Uninstalling Zoom on a Mac can be straightforward if you follow the right steps. I’ll guide you through a couple of methods to make sure you get every bit of it off your system. Let’s dive in!

Method 1: Using the Zoom Application

Step 1: Quit Zoom

First things first, make sure Zoom isn’t running. If it is, you’ll need to close it. Here’s how:

  1. Find the Zoom Icon in your Dock or in the top menu bar.
  2. Right-click on the Zoom icon (or Control-click if you don’t have a right-click).
  3. Choose “Quit” from the context menu.

Alternatively, you can open the Zoom application, and from the top menu, click Zoom.us and Quit Zoom.

Step 2: Remove Zoom from Applications

Now that Zoom is closed, let’s get it off your system.

  1. Open Finder. You can do this by clicking the blue-and-white smiley face icon in your Dock.
  2. Navigate to the Applications Folder. You can find it in the sidebar or by going to the Go menu at the top of your screen and selecting Applications.
  3. Locate the Zoom Application.
  4. Drag Zoom to the Trash bin. This removes the app itself.

Method 2: Using Zoom’s Built-in Uninstaller

Zoom actually provides its own uninstaller which can make the process a bit easier.

Step 1: Download and Use the Uninstaller

  1. Head to the Zoom Download Center.
  2. Scroll down and find “Zoom Client for Meetings”. Beneath it, look for “Zoom Uninstaller” and download it.
  3. Open the downloaded file and follow the prompts to uninstall.

Method 3: Uninstalling via Terminal

For those who are comfortable with Terminal, this method can be the most thorough.

Step 1: Open Terminal

  1. Launch Terminal. You can find it by opening Finder, going to Applications, then Utilities, and finally clicking Terminal.

Step 2: Use Terminal Commands

Now you’ll enter a few commands to ensure Zoom is fully removed.

  1. Type the following command to quit Zoom if it’s running:

    osascript -e 'quit app "zoom.us"'

    Press Enter.

  2. To remove the Zoom application:

    sudo rm -rf /Applications/zoom.us.app

    Press Enter. When prompted, you’ll need to enter your admin password.

  3. Remove Zoom’s additional files and caches:

    rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/zoom.us
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/us.zoom.xos
rm -rf ~/Library/Logs/zoom.us
rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/us.zoom.xos.plist

    Hit Enter after each command.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Uninstaller Apps

If Terminal seems a bit daunting, or if you want an even easier removal method, third-party apps like AppCleaner can help. Here’s how to use AppCleaner (which is free!):

Step 1: Download AppCleaner

  1. Go to the AppCleaner website and download the app.
  2. Open the downloaded file and drag AppCleaner to your Applications folder.

Step 2: Use AppCleaner

  1. Open AppCleaner.
  2. Drag and Drop Zoom from your Applications folder into the AppCleaner window.
  3. AppCleaner will find all associated files. Click Remove or Delete to get rid of everything.

Verifying Zoom is Completely Uninstalled

After any of these methods, you might want to double-check that Zoom is completely gone.

Check for Remaining Files

  1. Open Finder and use the Go menu and then Go to Folder....
  2. Enter these paths one by one to ensure there are no leftover files, and delete any you find:
    • ~/Library/Application Support/
    • ~/Library/Caches/
    • ~/Library/Logs/
    • ~/Library/Preferences/
  3. In each of these folders, look for any files or folders named zoom.us or us.zoom.xos and delete them.

Empty Trash

  1. Empty your Trash to delete the files permanently. Right-click the Trash icon in your Dock and select Empty Trash.

That should cover all the bases! Let me know if you have any questions or run into any issues while uninstalling Zoom. Good luck!

3

Hey there! You’re in good company; tech stuff trips me up all the time. Uninstalling Zoom can feel trickier than it should be, but I gotchu. Here’s the lowdown:

Step 1: Close Zoom
Make sure Zoom’s not lurking in the background. Quit the app completely.

Step 2: Drag Zoom to the Trash

  • Open Finder.
  • Go to “Applications.”
  • Find Zoom. (If you can’t find Zoom, is it even installed? Kidding, it’s there somewhere)
  • Drag Zoom to the Trash. Bye, Felicia!

Step 3: Clear Up the Leftovers
Zoom likes leaving crumbs all over your system. Let’s get ‘em.

  1. Open Finder again.
  2. In the menu bar, click “Go” > “Go to Folder…”
  3. Type ~/Library and hit Enter.

Now, hunt down these pesky folders/files:

  • ~/Library/Application Support/Zoom
  • ~/Library/Caches/us.zoom.xos
  • ~/Library/Logs/zoom.us
  • ~/Library/Preferences/us.zoom.xos.plist

Drag all these bad boys to the Trash too.

Step 4: Empty the Trash
Right-click the Trash can icon and “Empty Trash.” Poof! Zoom be gone.

Extra tip: If you’re cautious or dealing with new tech paranoia (who isn’t these days?:roll_eyes:) consider restarting your Mac just to make sure things are really gone.

That should do it. If you hit any snags, holler back. Good luck! :four_leaf_clover: