How to uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader on Mac completely
Adobe Acrobat Reader is removed like most Mac apps, but it leaves settings, caches and files in the system Library folder. Here is how to remove all of it, and what to watch out for if you also use the full Adobe Acrobat.
- Open MacWashing and choose Uninstaller in the sidebar.
- Click Show Apps and check Adobe Acrobat Reader in the list.
- Click Remove and confirm. Files that may be yours are listed as Possible and stay unchecked.
Free trial · macOS 14 or later
Delete Reader the way Adobe describes
Adobe’s help center gives these steps for macOS:
- Quit Adobe Acrobat Reader if it’s open.
- Open Finder › Applications and find Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Right-click it and choose Move to Trash. Enter your administrator password if macOS asks for it.
- Restart your Mac.
What Reader leaves behind
After deleting the app, check these places. The first ones are in the Library folder inside your home folder:
~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Acrobat— Reader’s settings and data.~/Library/Caches/com.adobe.Reader— the cache.~/Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Reader.plist— settings.~/Library/Preferences/com.adobe.AdobeRdrCEFHelper.plist— settings of Reader’s built-in web component.~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.adobe.Reader— stored web data, such as sign-in cookies.~/Library/Saved Application State/com.adobe.Reader.savedState— saved window state./Library/Application Support/Adobe/Reader— Reader’s files for all users of the Mac./Library/Preferences/com.adobe.reader.DC.WebResource.plist— a system-wide setting.
If you also use the full Adobe Acrobat, leave ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Acrobat: Acrobat keeps its own settings there too.
Remove the leftovers by hand
- In Finder, choose Go › Go to Folder (Shift-Command-G), type a path from the list above and press Return.
- Move the folder or file to the Trash. Files in
/Libraryneed your administrator password. - Repeat for the other paths.
- Restart your Mac, then empty the Trash.
Reader isn’t the only app that leaves files behind: see how to uninstall apps on Mac completely.
If removal or reinstalling fails
Adobe offers the Acrobat Cleaner tool (AcroCleaner) for Mac. Adobe says it is not an uninstaller: it is a last resort for a failed or partial uninstall, and it permanently removes Acrobat data. Delete the app the normal way first, back up anything important, and use the tool only if problems remain.
With MacWashing, it’s one click
The Uninstaller in MacWashing knows the files Adobe Acrobat Reader creates — in your Library folder and in the system folders — and removes them together with the app.
Free trial · macOS 14 or later
Questions and answers
Will MacWashing delete my own files when it removes Adobe Acrobat Reader?
No. The Uninstaller checks only what belongs to the app: its settings, caches, logs and background items. Folders that may hold your own files are listed as Possible and stay unchecked until you check them yourself, and apps go to the Trash by default, so you can put them back.
What if Adobe Acrobat Reader is still running?
MacWashing waits for it to quit, or quits it at your request, and only then removes its files.
Is it free to uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader with MacWashing?
Yes, within the free trial: System Junk and the Uninstaller free up to 25 GB in total, with no account or card needed.
Will uninstalling Reader delete my PDF files?
No. Your PDFs are ordinary files in your folders and stay where they are. Files you saved to Adobe’s cloud storage stay in your Adobe account.
What will open PDFs after I remove Reader?
Preview, the PDF viewer built into macOS. To pick another app, select a PDF in Finder, choose File › Get Info, change Open with and click Change All.
Can I reinstall Reader later?
Yes. Acrobat Reader is free: download it again from Adobe’s website.