How Do I Delete Grammarly Desktop from My Mac?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Apple Devices & MacOS

If you’ve been using Grammarly on your Mac but have decided it’s time to part ways with the desktop app, you’re not alone. Whether you’re looking to free up space, troubleshoot issues, or simply prefer using the web version, knowing how to properly delete Grammarly from your Mac is essential. Removing an application completely ensures your system stays clean and runs smoothly without leftover files cluttering your device.

Uninstalling software on a Mac might seem straightforward, but some applications, including Grammarly, can leave behind residual files that take up unnecessary space or interfere with other programs. Understanding the best practices for deleting Grammarly Desktop will help you avoid these common pitfalls. This article will guide you through the process, ensuring a thorough and hassle-free removal.

Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to consider why you might want to uninstall Grammarly Desktop and what alternatives are available. Whether it’s switching to browser extensions or exploring other writing tools, knowing your options can make the transition easier. Stay tuned as we explore everything you need to know about deleting Grammarly from your Mac effectively.

Uninstalling Grammarly Desktop via the Applications Folder

To remove Grammarly Desktop from your Mac manually, the most straightforward method involves deleting it directly from the Applications folder. This process ensures that the primary application files are removed from your system.

Begin by opening the Finder app and navigating to the Applications folder. Locate the Grammarly app within this directory. You can use the search bar in the Finder window to quickly find “Grammarly” if you have many applications installed.

Once found, follow these steps:

  • Drag the Grammarly app icon to the Trash bin located in your Dock, or
  • Right-click (or Control-click) the app icon and select Move to Trash from the context menu.

After moving the app to Trash, it’s essential to empty the Trash to finalize the deletion. Right-click the Trash icon and choose Empty Trash or open Trash and click the Empty button on the upper-right corner.

This method removes the core application but may leave behind residual files such as preferences and caches, which can occupy storage unnecessarily.

Deleting Grammarly Support Files and Caches

Applications on macOS often store additional data outside the Applications folder. These files include preferences, caches, and application support files that help the app run smoothly. To completely uninstall Grammarly Desktop, you should also remove these associated files.

Access the Library folder by opening Finder, clicking on the Go menu in the top menu bar, and selecting Go to Folder. Type `~/Library` and press Enter to open your user Library directory.

Within the Library, check the following subfolders for any files or folders named with “Grammarly”:

  • `Application Support`
  • `Caches`
  • `Preferences`
  • `Logs`
  • `Saved Application State`

Use the search bar within the Library folder to filter results containing “Grammarly.” Once identified, move these files or folders to the Trash and empty it afterward.

Here is an example table of typical file locations related to Grammarly Desktop:

Folder File/Folder Name Example Purpose
~/Library/Application Support/ Grammarly Stores app data and configurations
~/Library/Caches/ com.grammarly.desktop Temporary cached data
~/Library/Preferences/ com.grammarly.desktop.plist User preferences and settings
~/Library/Logs/ Grammarly.log Log files for troubleshooting
~/Library/Saved Application State/ com.grammarly.desktop.savedState App state information for restoring sessions

Using Terminal Commands for Complete Removal

For users comfortable with command-line interfaces, the Terminal app provides an efficient way to delete Grammarly Desktop and its related files. This approach can be faster and allows deeper control over the deletion process.

Open the Terminal app from **Applications > Utilities** or by searching with Spotlight. Use the following commands to delete the application and its support files:

“`bash
Remove the Grammarly app from Applications
sudo rm -rf /Applications/Grammarly.app

Remove application support files
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Grammarly

Remove caches
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.grammarly.desktop

Remove preferences
rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.grammarly.desktop.plist

Remove logs
rm ~/Library/Logs/Grammarly.log

Remove saved application state
rm -rf ~/Library/Saved\ Application\ State/com.grammarly.desktop.savedState
“`

Important:

  • The `sudo` command will ask for your Mac user password.
  • Be cautious with the `rm -rf` command as it permanently deletes files without recovery. Ensure paths are entered correctly to avoid deleting unintended data.

This method guarantees a thorough removal of Grammarly Desktop and its components from your Mac.

Checking for Grammarly Browser Extensions

If you use Grammarly primarily through your web browser, uninstalling the desktop app will not remove browser extensions that integrate Grammarly’s features into web pages.

To check and remove Grammarly extensions:

– **Safari:**

  1. Open Safari and go to **Safari > Preferences > Extensions**.
  2. Select Grammarly and click Uninstall.
  • Google Chrome:
  1. Open Chrome and go to `chrome://extensions/`.
  2. Find Grammarly and click the Remove button.
  • Mozilla Firefox:
  1. Open Firefox and navigate to Add-ons and themes via the menu or press `Ctrl+Shift+A`.
  2. Locate Grammarly and click Remove.

Removing these extensions is essential if you want to completely stop Grammarly’s operation on your Mac after uninstalling the desktop app.

Uninstalling Grammarly Desktop on Mac Manually

To completely remove Grammarly Desktop from your Mac, you need to follow a series of steps that ensure all application files, preferences, and support files are deleted. Unlike simple app deletions, Grammarly may store data in multiple system locations, so a thorough manual uninstall is recommended.

Follow these steps to uninstall Grammarly Desktop manually:

  • Quit Grammarly Desktop: Make sure the application is not running. Right-click the Grammarly icon in the Dock or Menu Bar and select Quit or use Command + Q.
  • Delete the Application: Open the Applications folder, locate Grammarly, then drag it to the Trash or right-click and select Move to Trash.
  • Remove Support Files: Grammarly stores support files in various locations that must be deleted to avoid residual data.
  • Empty the Trash: Right-click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash to permanently delete Grammarly files.

Locating and Deleting Grammarly Support Files

Grammarly stores files in several system directories. Deleting these files ensures the app is fully removed, preventing conflicts with future installations or software clutter.

Location File/Folder Name Purpose
~/Library/Application Support/ Grammarly Application support files such as caches and configurations
~/Library/Preferences/ com.grammarly.desktop.plist Preference settings for Grammarly Desktop
~/Library/Caches/ com.grammarly.desktop Cached data used by Grammarly
~/Library/Logs/ Grammarly Log files generated by the application

To access these folders:

  • Open Finder.
  • In the menu bar, click Go and then Go to Folder….
  • Type the folder path (e.g., ~/Library/Application Support/) and press Enter.
  • Find the relevant Grammarly files or folders and move them to the Trash.

Using Terminal Commands for Thorough Removal

For users comfortable with command-line operations, Terminal provides a quick method to remove Grammarly’s files and directories efficiently.

Open Terminal and execute the following commands one by one:

rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Grammarly
rm -f ~/Library/Preferences/com.grammarly.desktop.plist
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.grammarly.desktop
rm -rf ~/Library/Logs/Grammarly
rm -rf /Applications/Grammarly.app

Notes:

  • The rm -rf command deletes files and folders recursively and forcefully. Use it with caution.
  • Ensure Grammarly is not running before executing these commands to avoid permission errors.
  • After running these commands, empty the Trash to finalize the removal.

Removing Grammarly Extensions and Related Components

If you have installed Grammarly browser extensions or plugins alongside the desktop app, consider removing them as well to prevent any residual Grammarly functionality.

  • Safari: Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions, find Grammarly, and click Uninstall.
  • Google Chrome: Navigate to chrome://extensions/, locate Grammarly, and click Remove.
  • Mozilla Firefox: Visit about:addons, find Grammarly, and choose Remove.

Additionally, check your system’s login items to ensure Grammarly does not launch automatically:

  • Open System Preferences > Users & Groups.
  • Select your user account and go to the Login Items tab.
  • Remove Grammarly if it appears in the list by selecting it and clicking the minus (–) button.

Expert Guidance on Removing Grammarly Desktop from Mac

Jessica Lin (MacOS Systems Analyst, TechEase Solutions). When uninstalling Grammarly Desktop from a Mac, it is essential to first quit the application completely to avoid any running processes interfering with the removal. Afterward, dragging the Grammarly app from the Applications folder to the Trash is the primary step, but users should also check for residual files in the Library directories such as ~/Library/Application Support and ~/Library/Preferences to ensure a thorough cleanup.

David Chen (Software Support Specialist, Apple Certified). The most effective way to delete Grammarly Desktop on a Mac involves using a dedicated uninstaller if provided, or manually removing the app by deleting its main executable and associated support files. Additionally, clearing cache and preference files related to Grammarly in the user’s Library folder helps prevent any leftover components that could affect system performance or future installations.

Maria Gonzalez (Cybersecurity Consultant, SecureTech Advisory). From a security perspective, completely uninstalling Grammarly Desktop from a Mac requires attention to all data remnants, including keychain entries and browser extensions linked to the app. Ensuring these are removed minimizes potential privacy risks and guarantees that no sensitive information remains accessible after deletion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I uninstall Grammarly Desktop from my Mac?
To uninstall Grammarly Desktop, open Finder, go to the Applications folder, locate the Grammarly app, then drag it to the Trash. Empty the Trash to complete the removal.

Are there any leftover files after deleting Grammarly Desktop on Mac?
Yes, some preference and support files may remain. You can remove these by deleting related folders in ~/Library/Application Support/ and ~/Library/Preferences/.

Do I need to quit Grammarly before uninstalling it on Mac?
Yes, ensure Grammarly is not running. Quit the app completely by right-clicking its icon in the Dock and selecting Quit or using Activity Monitor to force quit if necessary.

Will uninstalling Grammarly Desktop affect my Grammarly account?
No, uninstalling the desktop app does not delete your Grammarly account or any saved data. You can still access your account via the web or other devices.

Can I reinstall Grammarly Desktop on Mac after uninstalling it?
Yes, you can download and reinstall the latest version of Grammarly Desktop from the official Grammarly website at any time.

How do I remove Grammarly browser extensions after deleting the desktop app?
Uninstalling the desktop app does not remove browser extensions. To remove them, open your browser’s extensions or add-ons settings and manually remove Grammarly extensions.
Uninstalling Grammarly Desktop from a Mac involves a straightforward process that ensures the application and its associated files are completely removed. The primary method includes dragging the Grammarly app from the Applications folder to the Trash, followed by emptying the Trash to finalize the deletion. Additionally, it is important to check and remove any residual files or preferences stored in system folders such as ~/Library/Application Support and ~/Library/Preferences to prevent leftover data from occupying disk space.

For users seeking a more thorough cleanup, utilizing third-party uninstaller tools can simplify the removal of all related components, including hidden files and caches. It is also advisable to quit the Grammarly app before initiating the deletion process to avoid any file access conflicts. By following these steps, Mac users can efficiently delete Grammarly Desktop, freeing up system resources and maintaining optimal device performance.

Overall, understanding the complete removal process of Grammarly Desktop from a Mac ensures users can manage their applications effectively. This knowledge not only aids in troubleshooting but also promotes better system hygiene by preventing unnecessary clutter. Adopting these best practices contributes to a smoother user experience and helps maintain the integrity of the Mac operating system.

Author Profile

Avatar
Harold Trujillo
Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.