Security

How to Completely Uninstall Malwarebytes on Mac

To remove Malwarebytes completely, use the built-in uninstall tool rather than dragging the icon to the Trash. This ensures all security extensions and background services are fully deactivated.

Last updated: November 1, 20263 min read

Remove Malwarebytes and everything it leaves behind

Malwarebytes data usually takes 200 MB – 2 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+

Application: Malwarebytes
Typical data size: 200 MB – 2 GB
Category: Security
File Location: ~/Library/Application Support/Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes has its own uninstaller

Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
Malwarebytes includes an uninstall option in its Help menu that removes its background services and extension.
Remove the folders Malwarebytes left behind, listed in the table below.
Empty the Trash to free up the space.

Everything Malwarebytes keeps on your Mac

5 locations. Tick each one as you remove it; back up anything marked as your data first.

~/Library/Application Support/Malwarebytes App data · user settings and logs Yes, once the app is gone/Library/Application Support/Malwarebytes App data · system-wide protection components, definitions and quarantine Yes, once the app is gone/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.malwarebytes.mbam.rtprotection.daemon.plist Background item · real-time protection daemon Yes, once the app is gone/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.malwarebytes.mbam.settings.daemon.plist Background item · settings daemon Yes, once the app is gone/Library/LaunchAgents/com.malwarebytes.mbam.frontend.agent.plist Background item · menu bar agent started at login Yes, once the app is gone

Locations are the standard macOS folders Malwarebytes uses; some appear only after you use the matching feature.

Why dragging Malwarebytes to the trash is insufficient

Specific to Malwarebytes

The app installs system-wide components outside your user folder. Dragging it to the Trash leaves real-time protection daemons and system extensions running in the background. These remaining files, along with logs and definitions, occupy between 200 MB – 2 GB of space.

Background items: Real-time protection runs through background services and a system extension that remain if only the app is deleted.
License: Premium licenses are managed in your Malwarebytes account.
Account and sync: A paid license is tied to your Malwarebytes account and can be moved to another device.

Preparing to uninstall Malwarebytes

Before removal, check the quarantine to restore any necessary files. You should also manage your premium license via your account to move it to another device. Using the uninstall option in the Help menu is recommended to properly remove the frontend agent and protection daemons.

Restore needed files from the quarantine within the appDeactivate the device in your account to free the licenseRun the uninstall option found in the Help menuQuit the app before manually removing any leftover library files

0 of 4 done

By hand or with OptiClear

	By hand	With OptiClear
Places to check	5 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

OptiClear — Scan overview — every category on one screen — Scan overview — every category on one screen

OptiClear — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach

OptiClear — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you

Try it without risk

Download and scan for freeSee every Malwarebytes 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.

Download free and scan

After the free trial, Pro costs $39.99 per year in your country's App Store; cancel any time.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Items marked “Yes, once the app is gone” only matter while Malwarebytes is installed, so remove them after the app.

Will using the official uninstaller delete my license?

No, because your license is tied to your account and can be moved to another device.

Where are the leftovers if I already emptied the Trash?

Remaining items like the real-time protection daemon stay in /Library/LaunchDaemons/.