How to uninstall Proton VPN on Mac completely
Proton VPN adds more to a Mac than the app: a network extension, a VPN configuration in System Settings, and settings, caches and logs in your Library folder. Here is how to remove all of it. Your plan is not affected: it stays in your Proton Account.
- Open MacWashing and choose Uninstaller in the sidebar.
- Click Show Apps and check ProtonVPN 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 Proton VPN in Finder
- Disconnect from the VPN and quit Proton VPN, in the Dock and in the menu bar if it has an icon there.
- Open Finder › Applications and drag ProtonVPN to the Trash.
- If macOS asks whether to remove the app’s extension, confirm, and enter your administrator password if asked.
Remove the VPN configuration and the extension
macOS keeps the VPN entry separately from the app, so it can stay after the app is gone. Check it:
- Open Apple menu › System Settings and click VPN in the sidebar.
- If ProtonVPN is listed, click the Info button next to it.
- Click Remove Configuration and confirm.
Proton VPN uses a network extension for WireGuard and Stealth. In macOS Sequoia and later, open System Settings › General › Login Items & Extensions, click the Info button next to Network Extensions and make sure ProtonVPN is no longer listed.
What Proton VPN leaves behind
Check these places in the Library folder inside your home folder:
~/Library/Application Support/ProtonVPN— app data.~/Library/Containers/ch.protonvpn.mac— the app’s container with its data and settings.~/Library/Group Containers/J6S6Q257EK.group.ch.protonvpn.mac— data shared between the app and its extension.~/Library/Caches/ch.protonvpn.mac— the cache.~/Library/Preferences/ch.protonvpn.mac.plist— settings.~/Library/WebKit/ch.protonvpn.mac— stored web data.~/Library/Logs/ProtonVPN.log— the log.
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.
Proton VPN 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 Proton VPN creates in your Library folder and removes them together with the app. Folders that may hold your own files 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 Proton VPN?
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 Proton VPN 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 Proton VPN 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 Proton VPN cancel my plan?
No. The plan belongs to your Proton Account, not to the app. Cancel it in your Proton Account, or in your App Store subscriptions if you bought it there.
Can I reset Proton VPN instead of uninstalling it?
Yes. In the menu bar, choose Help › Clear Application Data and confirm with Delete. The app goes back to its default settings.
Why is ProtonVPN still listed in the VPN settings?
macOS keeps a VPN configuration separately from the app. Remove it in System Settings › VPN: click the Info button next to ProtonVPN, then Remove Configuration.