How to Completely Uninstall Avast on Mac

This guide walks you through fully removing Avast antivirus from your Mac, including the main app, background helpers, and leftover files that can slow down your system or cause conflicts. You’ll need your Mac’s administrator password and about 10 minutes. If you’re switching to another antivirus or just want Avast gone, follow these steps in order.

What You’ll Need

• Your Mac’s administrator username and password (the one you use to install software).
• An active internet connection (to download the official removal tool if needed).
• Time: roughly 10–15 minutes.

Step-by-Step

1. Quit Avast completely. Look for the Avast icon in the menu bar (top-right of your screen). Click it and select Quit Avast. If it’s not there, right-click the Avast icon in the Dock and choose Quit.
2. Open the Avast uninstaller. Go to Finder > Applications. Find the Avast folder (usually named “Avast Security” or just “Avast”). Inside, look for an uninstaller app – it might be called Uninstall Avast or Avast Uninstaller. Double-click it.
3. Run the uninstaller. The uninstaller will ask for your administrator password. Enter it and click OK. Follow the on-screen prompts. It will remove the main app and most background components. If you see a prompt to restart your Mac, do so when it finishes.
4. If there is no uninstaller, use the official removal tool. If you can’t find an uninstaller in the Avast folder, download the “Avast Security” removal tool from Avast’s official support website (search “Avast Mac removal tool” on their site). Open the downloaded file and run it – it will guide you through removing all Avast components.
5. Manually delete leftover files. Even after the uninstaller runs, some files may remain. Open Finder and press Shift + Command + G to open the “Go to Folder” window. Enter each of these paths one by one and delete any Avast-related files or folders you find. Be careful – only delete items with “Avast” in the name.
   • /Library/Application Support/Avast
   • /Library/Application Support/AvastHUB
   • /Library/Application Support/com.avast.*
   • /Library/LaunchAgents/com.avast.*
   • /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.avast.*
   • /Library/Preferences/com.avast.*
   • /Library/Caches/com.avast.*
   • ~/Library/Application Support/Avast (your user folder)
   • ~/Library/Preferences/com.avast.*
   • ~/Library/Caches/com.avast.*
6. Empty the Trash. After deleting files, right-click the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash to permanently remove them.
7. Restart your Mac. This ensures any remaining background processes are cleared from memory.
8. Check for leftovers. After restart, search your Mac for “Avast” using Spotlight (Command + Space). If any files appear, delete them using the same method as step 5. Also check System Settings > General > Login Items to see if any Avast items are set to launch at startup – if so, remove them.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the uninstaller. Dragging the Avast app to the Trash alone leaves background processes and kernel extensions behind. Always use the uninstaller or removal tool first.
• Deleting the wrong files. When manually removing files, only delete items with “Avast” in the name. Deleting generic files like “com.apple.*” can break your system.
• Forgetting to restart. Some Avast components run as background processes that only stop after a restart. Skipping this step can leave parts of Avast active.
• Not checking Login Items. Avast may add a login item that re-launches the app or its helper even after removal. Always check System Settings > General > Login Items.

Tips

• Use the official removal tool first. Avast provides a dedicated uninstaller for Mac – it’s the most reliable way to remove all components. Look for it in the Avast folder or on Avast’s support website.
• Back up before deleting. If you’re unsure about a file, move it to a folder on your Desktop instead of deleting it immediately. Test your Mac for a few days, then delete if nothing breaks.
• Clear browser extensions. Avast often installs browser extensions. After uninstalling, check Safari, Chrome, and Firefox for any Avast extensions and remove them manually.
• Consider a clean antivirus alternative. If you’re removing Avast because of performance issues, macOS has built-in protection (XProtect) that works well for most users. If you need extra protection, choose a lightweight option and always download from the official vendor.

Troubleshooting

• The uninstaller won’t open or asks for a password you don’t know. Make sure you’re logged in as an administrator. If you’re not, log out and log back in with an admin account. If you’ve forgotten the admin password, you’ll need to reset it using Apple’s password recovery (via Apple ID or recovery mode).
• Avast still appears in the menu bar after uninstall. This usually means a background process is still running. Open Activity Monitor (in Applications/Utilities), search for “Avast”, select any process, and click the “X” button to force quit. Then repeat the manual file deletion and restart.
• You get a “file in use” error when deleting. This means an Avast process is still active. Force quit all Avast processes in Activity Monitor, then try deleting again.
• After uninstalling, you see a message about a “system extension” being blocked. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security. If you see a message about Avast’s system extension, click Allow or Not Now – but if you’re uninstalling, you can ignore it or restart to clear it.
• Avast reappears after a reboot. This indicates a login item or launch daemon was missed. Re-check the paths in step 5, especially /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons. Also check ~/Library/LaunchAgents for your user.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just drag Avast to the Trash?

No. Dragging the app to the Trash leaves behind background processes, kernel extensions, and login items that can cause conflicts and slow down your Mac. Always use the uninstaller or removal tool.

Do I need to restart my Mac after uninstalling Avast?

Yes. A restart ensures all Avast background processes are stopped and any temporary files are cleared. It also helps the system re-register any removed extensions.

Will uninstalling Avast affect my other apps?

No. Avast is a standalone antivirus. Removing it should not affect other applications. However, if you had Avast’s browser extensions, you may need to re-enable any security features you relied on.

How do I know if Avast is completely gone?

After following the steps, search for “Avast” in Spotlight and check Activity Monitor for any processes. If nothing appears, it’s gone. You can also check System Settings > General > Login Items.

Is Avast’s removal tool safe to use?

Yes, the official tool from Avast’s website is safe. It’s designed to remove all components. Always download it from Avast’s official support page, not third-party sites.

What if I want to reinstall Avast later?

You can download the latest version from Avast’s website. After a complete uninstall, a fresh install works cleanly. Just make sure to follow the installer’s prompts.

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