How to uninstall GitHub Desktop on Mac completely
GitHub’s own instructions for removing GitHub Desktop on a Mac are to move it to the Trash. That removes the app, but not its settings, caches, logs and updater files. Your repositories are ordinary folders and stay where they are.
- Open MacWashing and choose Uninstaller in the sidebar.
- Click Show Apps and check GitHub Desktop 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 GitHub Desktop in Finder
Before you start, push the commits you want to keep: changes that were never pushed exist only in the repository folders on this Mac.
- Quit GitHub Desktop: right-click its icon in the Dock and choose Quit.
- Open Finder › Applications, right-click GitHub Desktop and choose Move to Trash.
What GitHub Desktop leaves behind
All of these are in the Library folder inside your home folder:
~/Library/Application Support/GitHub Desktop— the app’s data, with its caches inside.~/Library/Caches/com.github.GitHubClient— the cache.~/Library/Preferences/com.github.GitHubClient.plist— settings.~/Library/Logs/GitHub Desktop— logs.~/Library/Application Support/com.github.GitHubClient.ShipItand~/Library/Caches/com.github.GitHubClient.ShipIt— files of the built-in updater.
~/Documents/GitHub is the folder where GitHub Desktop clones repositories by default. Those are your projects, not leftovers: deleting the app doesn’t touch them. Move them somewhere else or keep the folder. Delete it only if everything in it is pushed and you no longer need it.
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.
- Repeat for the other paths.
- Restart your Mac, then empty the Trash.
GitHub Desktop isn’t the only app that leaves files behind: see how to uninstall apps on Mac completely.
With MacWashing, it’s one click
The Uninstaller in MacWashing knows the files GitHub Desktop creates in your Library folder and removes them together with the app, the updater files included. Folders that may hold your own files, like your cloned repositories, are listed as Possible and stay unchecked until you check them yourself.
Free trial · macOS 14 or later
Questions and answers
Will MacWashing delete my own files when it removes GitHub Desktop?
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 GitHub Desktop 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 GitHub Desktop 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.
Does uninstalling GitHub Desktop delete my repositories?
No. Repositories are ordinary folders, by default in Documents › GitHub, and the app doesn’t remove them. What you pushed is also on GitHub.
Does it delete my GitHub account?
No. Your account and the repositories on github.com are not affected. Deleting the app only removes it from this Mac.
If I reinstall GitHub Desktop, will it find my repositories again?
The folders are still on your Mac. If they aren’t listed, add them with File › Add Local Repository or drag the repository folders onto the GitHub Desktop window.