Notes & Writing
How to Completely Uninstall Bear on Mac
To remove Bear, drag the application icon to the Trash. This process removes the executable but leaves behind app data and user documents ranging from 200 MB – 5 GB.
Remove Bear and everything it leaves behind
Bear data usually takes 200 MB – 5 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.
Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+
OptiClear is a Mac app. Copy this page's link and open it on your Mac.
Email me the link- Application
- Bear
- Typical data size
- 200 MB – 5 GB
- Category
- Notes & Writing
- File Location
~/Library/Containers/net.shinyfrog.bear
Manual cleanup steps
- Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
- Move Bear from the Applications folder to the Trash.
- Remove the folders Bear left behind, listed in the table below.
- Empty the Trash to free up the space.
Everything Bear keeps on your Mac
3 locations. Tick each one as you remove it; back up anything marked as your data first.
Locations are the standard macOS folders Bear uses; some appear only after you use the matching feature.
What Bear leaves behind
Specific to Bear
Dragging the app to the Trash does not delete associated folders in the Library. These include the container for preferences, a sandbox script folder, and the group container holding your notes and images. Because the app stores everything in one database rather than separate files, these directories remain on your Mac until you manually remove them.
- License
- Bear Pro is an App Store subscription managed in your Apple Account, not cancelled by deleting the app.
- Account and sync
- Bear syncs through your iCloud account when Bear Pro is active; without it notes exist only on this Mac.
Preparing to uninstall Bear
Since the group container holds all local data, deleting it removes all notes permanently unless they are synced via iCloud. Ensure you have exported your work or verified backups before proceeding. You must also manage your subscription independently, as removing the software does not cancel a Bear Pro plan.
0 of 4 done
By hand or with OptiClear
| By hand | With OptiClear | |
|---|---|---|
| Places to check | 3 folders, one by one | One scan |
| File sizes | You look them up yourself | Shown for every item |
| Removing the wrong thing | Easy to delete the wrong folder | Goes to the Trash first, so it can be restored |
| Cost | Free | Scan is free; cleaning needs Pro (yearly plan has a 7-day free trial) |
See it working
Try it without risk
- Download and scan for freeSee every Bear file and its size. No account needed.
- Clean free for 7 daysStart the 7-day free trial of the yearly plan inside the app.
- Keep it or cancelCancel in your App Store settings at least 24 hours before the trial ends and you won't be charged.
After the free trial, Pro costs $39.99 per year in your country's App Store; cancel any time.