How To Remove Grammarly Desktop From Mac

How to Remove Grammarly Desktop from Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

Grammarly Desktop is a popular writing assistant that integrates with your Mac to check grammar, spelling, and style in real-time. Now, while many users find it helpful, there are cases where you might need to remove Grammarly desktop from Mac—whether for privacy concerns, performance issues, or simply no longer needing the tool. This practical guide will walk you through the process of completely uninstalling Grammarly from your Mac, ensuring no remnants of the application remain on your system Easy to understand, harder to ignore. Less friction, more output..

Understanding Grammarly Desktop on Mac

Grammarly Desktop operates as a background application that runs in the menu bar and integrates with various apps like Safari, Microsoft Word, and email clients. That said, it also includes browser extensions and system-level components that might continue to function even after the main app is deleted. To fully remove Grammarly, you must address not only the main application but also its associated files, preferences, and background processes That's the part that actually makes a difference. Turns out it matters..

Step 1: Quit Grammarly Desktop Completely

Before uninstalling, ensure Grammarly is no longer running in the background And that's really what it comes down to..

1. Click on the Grammarly icon in your Mac’s menu bar (top-right corner).
2. Select Quit Grammarly from the dropdown menu.
3. If the app is still running, open Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities).
4. In Activity Monitor, search for processes named Grammarly or GrammarlyHelper.
5. Select any related processes and click the Quit Process button.

This step ensures that Grammarly is fully stopped before proceeding with uninstallation.

Step 2: Move Grammarly to the Trash

1. Open the Applications folder (you can access it via the Finder’s sidebar or by pressing Command + Shift + A).
2. Locate Grammarly in the list of applications.
3. Drag the Grammarly app to the Trash icon in your Dock, or right-click and select Move to Trash.
4. Empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in the Dock and selecting Empty Trash.

This removes the main application from your Mac. That said, Grammarly may still have files stored in hidden system directories.

Step 3: Remove Grammarly Preference Files

Grammarly stores user preferences and settings in your Mac’s Library folder. To delete these:

1. Open a new Finder window.
2. Press Command + Shift + G to open the Go to Folder dialog.
3. Enter the following path and press Enter:
   ~/Library/Application Support/
4. Look for a folder named Grammarly and delete it by moving it to the Trash.
5. Next, manage to ~/Library/Preferences/ and search for files starting with com.grammarly. Delete all related files.
6. Empty the Trash again to permanently remove these files.

These steps eliminate most of Grammarly’s configuration data It's one of those things that adds up..

Step 4: Delete Grammarly Launch Agents and Background Services

Grammarly may continue running as a background service via Launch Agents. To stop these:

1. In the Go to Folder dialog (Command + Shift + G), enter:
   ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
2. Look for files named com.grammarly or similar. Delete any Grammarly-related files found here.
3. Next, go to:
   /Library/LaunchAgents/ (note the leading slash for the root Library folder).
4. Again, search for and delete Grammarly-related files.
5. Empty the Trash to finalize the deletion.

These Launch Agents are responsible for auto-starting Grammarly at login. Removing them ensures the app won’t reactivate automatically.

Step 5: Check for Additional Grammarly Components

Some users might have Grammarly browser extensions or other integrations. While these aren’t part of the desktop app, they can be removed separately:

• Safari Extensions: Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions, find Grammarly, and click Uninstall.
• Chrome/Firefox Extensions: manage to your browser’s extension settings and remove Grammarly from there.

What to Do If Grammarly Isn’t Fully Removed

If you follow all steps and Grammarly still appears to be active, try the following:

1. Restart Your Mac: After completing all steps, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.
2. Use Third-Party Uninstallers: Tools like AppCleaner or CleanMyMac can help identify and remove residual files more thoroughly.
3. Manual Cleanup: Double-check the following directories for any missed Grammarly files:
   • ~/Library/Containers/
   • ~/Library/Caches/
   • /Library/Application Support/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I uninstall Grammarly without deleting my account?

Yes. Uninstalling the desktop app only removes the local files. Worth adding: your Grammarly account and data remain intact online. You can reinstall the app later if needed That's the part that actually makes a difference..

Will removing Grammarly affect my browser extensions?

No, browser extensions are separate from the desktop app. You must uninstall them individually from your browser’s extension manager That's the part that actually makes a difference..

Why is Grammarly still running after I deleted it?

Grammarly might be running as a

background process or via a Launch Agent that wasn’t properly removed. Ensure all files in ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchAgents/ are deleted, and restart your Mac to fully terminate any lingering processes Which is the point..

Is it safe to delete files from the Library folders?

Yes, as long as you only delete files specifically related to Grammarly. Avoid modifying or deleting files from other applications, as this could cause system instability.

Do I need to clear my browser cache after removing Grammarly?

Not necessarily, but clearing your browser cache can help remove any temporary files associated with Grammarly extensions. This step is optional but recommended for a complete cleanup.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Grammarly from your Mac goes beyond simply dragging the app to the Trash. That's why by following these steps—removing the main application, deleting preference files, clearing Launch Agents, and checking browser extensions—you can ensure a thorough removal of all Grammarly components. Whether you’re switching to another writing tool or taking a break from grammar checking altogether, this guide helps you cleanly remove Grammarly from your system without leaving behind unnecessary files or background processes.

Remember to restart your Mac after completing the uninstallation process to apply all changes effectively. With these steps, you can confidently say goodbye to Grammarly and maintain a clean, organized system That's the part that actually makes a difference..