How to Delete Grammarly Desktop from Mac
If you’ve decided to stop using Grammarly on your Mac, removing the desktop application is a straightforward process. This guide walks you through every method to completely delete Grammarly from your Mac, ensuring no leftover files remain in your system. By following these steps, you’ll free up storage space and avoid any potential conflicts with other apps.
Introduction
Grammarly is a popular writing assistant that many macOS users rely on for real‑time spelling and grammar correction. On the flip side, there are times when users want to uninstall Grammarly—perhaps they’ve switched to a different tool, no longer need the premium features, or simply want to clean up their computer. This article provides a comprehensive, easy‑to‑follow walkthrough on how to delete Grammarly desktop from Mac, covering the standard uninstall method, manual removal of residual files, and troubleshooting common issues. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clutter‑free Mac and the confidence to perform future app removals without hassle Not complicated — just consistent..
Step‑by‑Step Guide to Uninstall Grammarly
1. Quit Grammarly and Check the Menu Bar
Before you begin, make sure Grammarly is not running in the background. And click the Grammarly icon in the menu bar (usually near the right side of the screen) and select Quit. If you don’t see the icon, open Applications, locate Grammarly, and close it using the red “‑” button or right‑click → Quit The details matter here..
2. Use the Uninstaller (Recommended)
Grammarly ships with its own uninstaller, which handles most of the removal automatically:
- Open Finder.
- deal with to Applications.
- Locate Grammarly.
- Right‑click on Grammarly and choose Show Package Contents (this opens the app’s internal folder).
- Inside the package, find the file named Uninstaller (often a .pkg or .app file). Double‑click it.
- Follow the on‑screen prompts. The uninstaller will ask for your administrator password; enter it when prompted.
- Once the process finishes, return to Applications and verify that Grammarly is no longer listed.
3. Remove Grammarly from Login Items (Optional but Helpful)
If Grammarly launches automatically at startup, it can still linger in the background:
- Open System Settings → General → Login Items.
- Locate Grammarly in the list.
- Select it and click the ‑ button to remove it.
4. Delete Manual Installation Files
Even after the uninstaller runs, some files may remain in hidden directories:
- Application Support – Press Shift + Command + G, type
/Library/Application Support/Grammarlyand press Enter. If the folder exists, move it to the Trash. - Preferences – Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Privacy → App Data → Preferences. Look for a folder named Grammarly and delete it.
- Caches – Use the same Shift + Command + G shortcut, type
/Library/Caches/com.grambot.mac(or similar) and delete the folder. - Logs – manage to
/Library/Logsand remove any files containing “grammarly” in the name. - Home Directory – In your user folder, check for hidden files like **. Grammarly
orgrammarly` and delete them if present.
5. Restart Your Mac
After removing all identified files, restart your Mac (Apple menu → Restart). This ensures any lingering processes are terminated and the system can fully clean up.
6. Verify Complete Removal
To confirm Grammarly is gone:
- Open Spotlight Search (
Command + Space), typegrammarly, and press Enter. No results should appear. - Check the Extensions pane in any text editor (e.g., TextEdit) to ensure no Grammarly extensions remain.
- Run a quick antivirus or malware scan if you suspect hidden components.
Alternative Methods
Using LaunchControl
If you have LaunchControl installed, you can use it to disable Grammarly’s login items and stop background services:
- Open LaunchControl, locate Grammarly in the Login Items tab.
- Click the ‑ button to remove it.
- In the Services tab, find Grammarly, stop the service, and disable it.
Manual Removal via Terminal
For advanced users comfortable with the Terminal, you can search for and delete any remaining Grammarly processes:
# List any running Grammarly processes
ps aux | grep grammarly
# Force quit any found processes
kill -9
# Search for leftover files
sudo find / -type f -name "*grammarly*" 2>/dev/null
# Delete identified files (use with caution)
sudo rm -rf
What to Do After Uninstalling
- Update Text Editors – If you use third‑party editors that integrated Grammarly, reopen the app’s preferences and remove the Grammarly plugin.
- Backup Important Settings – If you used custom dictionaries or writing goals, export them before removal (Grammarly may offer an export option in its preferences).
- Check Browser Extensions – Grammarly also offers browser extensions. Ensure you remove those separately if you want a full cleanup across all platforms.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
| Issue | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Grammarly reappears after restart | Residual login item or background service | Remove from Login Items and delete any remaining service files in /Library/LaunchAgents. Plus, |
| Missing uninstaller file | App was installed via Mac App Store | Go to System Settings → General → About This Mac → Software Update; uninstall via the App Store or use the Applications folder method. |
| Uninstaller fails to run | Permission error or corrupted installer | Open Terminal, deal with to the uninstaller’s location, and run sudo with the appropriate command, or reinstall Grammarly first and then uninstall. |
| Grammarly files still occupy space | Manual removal missed hidden folders | Use Shift + Command + G to access hidden directories and search for “grammarly” folders, then delete them. |
Worth pausing on this one.
Conclusion
Deleting Grammarly desktop from a Mac doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following the step‑by‑step process—quitting the app, using the built‑in uninstaller, clearing login items, and manually removing any leftover files—you can ensure a clean and complete removal. After the uninstall, restarting your Mac and verifying that no Grammarly traces remain will give you peace of mind and free up valuable system resources. Whether you’re switching to another writing assistant or simply decluttering your computer, these instructions empower you to handle the removal confidently and efficiently.