Communication
How to Completely Uninstall Zoom on Mac
To remove Zoom completely, using the built-in uninstaller is more effective than the Trash. Dragging the app icon alone leaves behind system helpers and data ranging from 500 MB – 10 GB.
Remove Zoom and everything it leaves behind
Zoom data usually takes 500 MB – 10 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
- Zoom
- Typical data size
- 500 MB – 10 GB
- Category
- Communication
- File Location
~/Library/Application Support/zoom.us
Zoom has its own uninstaller
- Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
- Zoom has an Uninstall Zoom item in the zoom.us app menu that removes the app and its helper.
- Remove the folders Zoom left behind, listed in the table below.
- Empty the Trash to free up the space.
Everything Zoom keeps on your Mac
12 locations. Tick each one as you remove it; back up anything marked as your data first.
Locations checked on a Mac with Zoom installed.
What happens when you trash Zoom
Specific to Zoom
Dragging the app to the Trash preserves most associated files on your disk. It specifically leaves behind a privileged helper daemon and its corresponding launch daemon in the system library. Additionally, application support folders, preferences, and group containers remain. These items stay until you manually remove their respective folders.
- Background items
- Zoom installs a privileged helper daemon in /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools with a launch daemon in /Library/LaunchDaemons; both are left behind if the app is just dragged to the Trash.
- Account and sync
- Meetings, contacts and cloud recordings belong to your Zoom account; local recordings exist only on this Mac.
Preparing to uninstall Zoom
Before removal, ensure you secure your personal media. While meetings and contacts stay in your account, local recordings reside only on this Mac. Moving these files ensures they are not lost during cleanup. Using the internal menu option allows the app to remove its helper daemon automatically.
0 of 4 done
By hand or with OptiClear
| By hand | With OptiClear | |
|---|---|---|
| Places to check | 12 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 Zoom 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.