Google Drive is a popular cloud storage service that allows you to store, access, and share your files and folders on the internet. It offers a seamless integration with other Google services and provides a convenient way to backup your important data. However, there may come a time when you need to uninstall Google Drive from your Mac for various reasons. In this article, we will guide you on how to uninstall Google Drive on Mac.
Why Uninstall Google Drive on Mac?
Before we get into the steps of uninstalling Google Drive on Mac, let's first understand why you might want to do so. Here are a few reasons:
1. Switching to Another Cloud Storage Service
You may have decided to switch to another cloud storage service that better suits your needs. Uninstalling Google Drive will free up storage space on your Mac and allow you to fully embrace the new service without any conflicts or confusion.
2. Need to Reinstall Google Drive
There may be instances when you encounter issues with Google Drive and need to reinstall it. Uninstalling the existing installation will remove any corrupt or conflicting files that may be causing the problem.
3. Privacy Concerns
If you have privacy concerns or want to keep your data on your local machine rather than on the cloud, uninstalling Google Drive will ensure that your files are not stored on Google's servers.
Steps to Uninstall Google Drive on Mac
Now that you understand the reasons why you might want to uninstall Google Drive on your Mac, let's dive into the steps to do so:
Step 1: Quit Google Drive
Before you can uninstall Google Drive, make sure to quit the application. To do this, click on the Google Drive icon in the menu bar at the top right corner of your screen and select “Quit Google Drive”.
Step 2: Remove Google Drive App
Next, you need to remove the Google Drive app from your Mac. Here's how:
- Open the Finder app by clicking on the Finder icon in the dock.
- In the menu bar at the top, click on “Go” and then select “Applications”.
- Locate the Google Drive app in the Applications folder.
- Drag the Google Drive app to the Trash or right-click on it and select “Move to Trash”.
Step 3: Remove Google Drive Files
After removing the Google Drive app, you need to delete any remaining files associated with Google Drive. Follow these steps:
- In the Finder app, click on “Go” in the menu bar and select “Go to Folder”.
- Type “~/Library” (without quotes) in the text box and click “Go”.
- In the Library folder, locate and open the “Application Support” folder.
- Find the “Google” folder and move it to the Trash.
- Go back to the Library folder and open the “Preferences” folder.
- Look for any files starting with “com.google” and move them to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash to permanently delete the files.
Step 4: Restart Your Mac
After completing the above steps, it's a good idea to restart your Mac. This will ensure that any remaining files or processes related to Google Drive are completely removed from your system.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Google Drive on your Mac is a straightforward process that involves quitting the application, removing the app and associated files, and restarting your Mac. Whether you're switching to another cloud storage service, need to reinstall Google Drive, or have privacy concerns, following the steps outlined in this article will help you uninstall Google Drive and free up storage space on your Mac.
Remember, if you ever decide to reinstall Google Drive in the future, you can always download and install it from the official Google website or the Mac App Store. Happy uninstalling!
