Dropbox is one of the widely used cloud-based storage apps on Mac. However, we sometimes need to get rid of it for different reasons. Are you finding it difficult to uninstall dropbox on Mac? Well, you are at the right place. We have prepared this easy guide to answer how to uninstall Dropbox on Mac in the best possible manner.
Manually uninstall Dropbox on Mac
Uninstalling Dropbox on Mac is quite easy if you know how to uninstall apps on Mac. Although, if the automatic launch on startup option for Dropbox is enabled, you need to quit it before proceeding. To do that, click on the Dropbox icon on the menu bar. Now, click on your profile icon and click Quit.
To uninstall Dropbox, simply open the Finder from Dock and follow the steps below.
Step 1: Click on the Applications option in the left sidebar.
Step 2: Find the Dropbox app in the right-pane where all the apps are listed.
Step 3: Drag and drop the Dropbox icon to Trash. Right-click on the Trash icon in Dock and select Empty Trash.
Note: If you wish to remove the Dropbox folder created on your Mac to store files added to Dropbox, drag and drop the folder to Trash. You can access the Dropbox folder by pressing Shift + Command + H or clicking Finder > Go > Home.
Uninstall Dropbox without deleting files
Uninstalling Dropbox on Mac doesn’t remove or affect the data uploaded to the cloud storage before the uninstallation. Further, the dedicated Dropbox folder used to keep the copy of the uploaded files on Mac remains intact. However, you must unlink the Dropbox before uninstalling it from Mac. This will log you out of the Dropbox account without affecting the files and folders stored locally on Mac in the Dropbox Folder. Follow the steps below to unlink your Dropbox.
Unlink Dropbox on Mac
Step 1: Launch Dropbox on your Mac device.
Step 2: Locate the Dropbox icon on the top ribbon on the Desktop and click on it. Click Settings > Preferences in the Dropbox window.
Step 3: In the new window, click the Account tab and select the Unlink This Dropbox option.
Step 4: Click the Unlink anyway option in the ‘Unlink your Dropbox account?’ dialogue box.
Step 5: Again, click the Dropbox icon on the top menu bar and click Settings > Quit Dropbox.
How to uninstall Dropbox on Mac?
Before uninstalling Dropbox, ensure that all the Dropbox windows are closed and proceed with the steps below.
Step 1: Launch Finder and click Applications from the sidebar.
Step 2: Right-click the Dropbox icon and select Move to Trash from the menu.
Step 3: If asked, enter your Admin Password.
Empty Trash to completely remove Dropbox on Mac.
Uninstall Dropbox along with supportive tools and plugins
When you install Dropbox on your Mac, it is installed with all the supporting tools. If you want to uninstall Dropbox on Mac, you must also remove these supportive tools. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Launch Applications and right-click the Dropbox icon to select Move to Trash.
Step 2: Empty Trash and launch Finder.
Step 3: Click the Go tab from the menu bar on top and select the Go to folder option from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Insert /Library in the box and hit Return.
Step 5: Find the DropboxHelperTools folder and move it to Trash.
We tend to install plugins to facilitate the use of Dropbox. If you are willing to uninstall Dropbox on Mac without leaving any of its components on your Mac, you should uninstall Dropbox along with the plugins. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: From the top menu bar on Desktop, click Dropbox > Settings > Quit Dropbox.
Step 2: Launch Applications, right-click on the Dropbox icon, and select Show Package Contents.
Step 3: Click and expand the Contents folder and right-click on the Plugins folder to select the Move to Trash option.
Step 4: Click Applications and right-click Dropbox. Choose Move to Trash.
Empty Trash or selectively delete Dropbox and its plugins from the Trash folder.
What to do in case of data loss?
If you uninstalled Dropbox without unlinking your Dropbox account, there are high chances of data loss. Moreover, while uninstalling Dropbox and deleting the related files, if you accidentally deleted some valuable data, you can recover it easily. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac on your PC. It is a secure and trusted DIY software with multiple features to suit all your data recovery for Mac needs. You can recover any lost or deleted files on your Mac in three easy steps.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Dropbox is no different than uninstalling any other app on Mac. If you have securely saved all the important files from the Dropbox folder, you can remove the app without a second thought. However, you can also choose to uninstall Dropbox without deleting data, as explained above. Remember that uninstalling Dropbox removes the app from your Mac, but you can again install it and log in with your credentials to use it if need be.