How to uninstall Malwarebytes on Mac completely
Malwarebytes installs a background helper that runs with administrator rights, next to the app itself. Its own uninstaller removes it. If something stays behind, a later reinstall can fail. Here is how to remove all of it.
- Open MacWashing and choose Uninstaller in the sidebar.
- Click Show Apps and check Malwarebytes 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
Uninstall Malwarebytes from its own menu
- Click the Malwarebytes icon in the menu bar and choose Open Malwarebytes.
- In the menu bar at the top left, choose Help › Uninstall Malwarebytes.
- Malwarebytes asks you to confirm: click I’ll risk it.
- Enter your Mac’s password and click OK. The app removes itself.
If the app won’t open or reinstalling fails
Malwarebytes has a separate Mac uninstall tool that removes everything its software left behind. Its support site offers it when a reinstall fails because of leftovers from a previous install.
- Download the Mac uninstall tool from Malwarebytes’ support site.
- In your Downloads folder, double-click MB-Mac-Uninstall and click Open to confirm.
- When asked whether to remove all Malwarebytes software from your Mac, click Yes.
- Enter your Mac’s password and click OK.
- When it’s done, delete the MB-Mac-Uninstall file and restart your Mac.
What Malwarebytes leaves behind
Depending on the version you had, check these places. The first are system folders. The last two are in the Library folder inside your home folder:
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.malwarebytes.MBAMHelperTooland/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.malwarebytes.MBAMHelperTool.plist— the background helper that runs with administrator rights./Library/LaunchDaemons/com.malwarebytes.HelperTool.plist— starts that helper when the Mac starts.~/Library/Application Support/Malwarebytes Anti-Malware— app data.~/Library/Application Support/com.malware.antimalware— more app data.
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, so the background helper is no longer running, then empty the Trash.
Malwarebytes 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 Malwarebytes creates — in your Library folder and in the system folders — and removes them together with the app, background helper included.
Free trial · macOS 14 or later
Questions and answers
Will MacWashing delete my own files when it removes Malwarebytes?
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 Malwarebytes 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 Malwarebytes 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.
Why does Malwarebytes fail to install again after I removed it?
Malwarebytes says this happens when an uninstall left some of its data behind. Run its Mac uninstall tool, restart the Mac, then install the app again.
Why does Malwarebytes ask for my password when I uninstall it?
Its helper is installed for all users of the Mac, in folders only an administrator can change. Removing it needs the same rights.
Is my Mac unprotected after I remove Malwarebytes?
macOS has its own built-in malware protection, XProtect, which works without any extra app and is updated by Apple. Whether you want another security app on top of it is up to you.