How to uninstall MongoDB Compass on Mac completely
MongoDB Compass keeps your saved connections, favorite queries and saved pipelines in a folder in your Library, next to its caches and settings. Deleting the app leaves all of that behind. Your databases themselves are not affected: they live on the MongoDB servers you connect to, not in Compass.
- Open MacWashing and choose Uninstaller in the sidebar.
- Click Show Apps and check MongoDB Compass 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
Before you start: export your saved connections
If you may use Compass again, on this Mac or another one, export your saved connections to a file first.
- Open Compass. On the Connect screen, hover over Saved Connections in the left-side navigation and click the … button.
- Choose Export saved connections and select the connections you want to keep.
- Under Target File, click Select a file… and choose where to save it.
- Set an Encryption Password to protect the passwords in the file, or turn on Remove secrets to leave them out. Then click Export.
Without encryption, passwords are written to the file as plain text, so keep such a file private.
Delete MongoDB Compass in Finder
- Quit Compass: right-click its icon in the Dock and choose Quit.
- Open Finder › Applications and drag MongoDB Compass to the Trash.
This removes the app only. Its data, caches and settings stay in your home folder.
What MongoDB Compass leaves behind
The first ones are in the Library folder inside your home folder:
~/Library/Application Support/MongoDB Compass— Compass’s data: saved connections, favorite and recent queries, saved pipelines, and caches.~/Library/Caches/MongoDB Compass— the cache.~/Library/Preferences/com.mongodb.compass.plist— settings.~/Library/Saved Application State/com.mongodb.compass.savedState— the saved window state.~/.mongodb— a hidden folder in your home folder where Compass writes its logs (see the note).
~/Library/Application Support/MongoDB Compass holds your saved connections, favorite queries and pipelines: export them as above before you delete it. Compass’s logs are in ~/.mongodb/compass, but ~/.mongodb is shared with the MongoDB Shell: if you use mongosh, its command history and logs are in ~/.mongodb/mongosh, so delete only the compass folder inside, or keep it all.
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.
MongoDB Compass 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 MongoDB Compass creates in your Library and home folders and removes them together with the app. Folders that may hold your own files, like saved connections and queries or the shared ~/.mongodb folder, 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 MongoDB Compass?
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 MongoDB Compass 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 MongoDB Compass 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 Compass delete my databases?
No. Compass is only a client: your data stays on the MongoDB servers or in the Atlas clusters you connect to. Removing Compass deletes only its own files on this Mac.
Will I lose my saved connections?
Deleting the app alone keeps them in ~/Library/Application Support/MongoDB Compass. They are lost when you delete that folder, so export them first and import the file after reinstalling.
Can I reinstall Compass later?
Yes. Download it again from MongoDB’s site, then import your exported connections. If the export is encrypted, you need its password.