Thinking about ditching Avast on your Mac? You’re not alone. After using Avast Security for six months on my MacBook Pro, I discovered what many ambitious Mac users already know – this antivirus can be a serious resource hog. The slow scanning speeds and constant notifications made my workflow feel sluggish, especially during important video calls and creative projects.
The best ways to uninstall Avast from Mac involve more than just dragging it to the Trash. Unlike simpler apps, Avast embeds deep into your system, requiring specific removal steps to avoid leftover files that can affect performance.
Why Mac Users Are Uninstalling Avast
Modern Mac users face different security challenges than they did five years ago. Here’s what’s driving the shift:
Performance Impact: Avast can consume significant CPU and memory resources, affecting everything from video editing to gaming performance. Many users report their MacBook running noticeably faster after removal.
Privacy Concerns: Some users prefer alternatives due to data collection policies and privacy considerations, especially after past controversies about user data handling.
macOS Built-in Security: Apple’s XProtect and Gatekeeper provide robust protection for most users, making third-party antivirus less essential than on other platforms.
Method 1: Official Avast Built-in Uninstaller (Recommended)
This is your best bet for clean removal. Avast includes its own uninstaller that handles most cleanup automatically.
Step 1: Launch Avast Security from your Applications folder or click the Avast icon in your menu bar.
Step 2: Click “Avast Security” in the top menu bar, then select “Uninstall Avast Security” from the dropdown.
Step 3: Click “Continue” when prompted, then enter your Mac administrator password.
Step 4: Wait for the uninstaller to complete the process. When the confirmation message appears, click Finish, or optionally click Continue to complete the customer survey.
Step 5: Restart your Mac to finalize the removal.
This method removes the main application and most associated files, but you might still want to check for leftovers manually.
Method 2: Manual Removal Using Finder
If the built-in uninstaller isn’t working, you can manually remove Avast. However, this requires extra steps to ensure complete removal.
Step 1: First, quit all Avast processes. Open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities), search for “Avast”, and force quit any running processes.
Step 2: Open Finder and navigate to Applications. Locate Avast Security and drag it to the Trash.
Step 3: Empty the Trash to remove the main application.
This basic removal won’t catch everything, so you’ll need to hunt down leftover files manually.
Cleaning Up Leftover Files (Essential Step)
Even after using official uninstallers, Avast can leave traces in your system. Here’s how to find and remove them:
Access Hidden Library Folder: Press Command + Shift + G in Finder, type ~/Library, and click Go.
Check These Locations for Avast-related files:
~/Library/Application Support/AvastHUB~/Library/Saved Application State/com.avast.av.uninstaller.savedState~/Library/Logs/AvastHUB~/Library/Containers/com.avast.Antivirus.SystemExtension~/Library/Application Scripts/com.avast.Antivirus.SystemExtension
Pro Tip: Use Finder’s search function within the Library folder. Type “Avast” to quickly locate all related files and folders.
Method 3: Third-Party Uninstaller Apps (Easiest Option)
For users who want a completely hands-off approach, third-party uninstaller apps can handle everything automatically.
Top Recommendations:
App Cleaner & Uninstaller: The easiest way to entirely and correctly uninstall Avast from Mac is to use App Cleaner & Uninstaller. It detects and removes all associated files in one click.
MacKeeper Smart Uninstaller: MacKeeper will begin to remove the apps you no longer require and automatically scans for leftover files.
BuhoCleaner: BuhoCleaner is user-friendly and effectively removes unwanted apps, including stubborn antivirus utilities, with just a few clicks.
These tools scan your entire system for Avast-related files and remove everything in a single operation.
Troubleshooting Common Uninstall Issues
“Avast is Still Running” Error: If you can’t uninstall because Avast is active, restart your Mac in Safe Mode and then delete the app manually from the Applications folder.
Uninstaller Won’t Start: Some users find the built-in uninstaller doesn’t launch. In this case, try downloading a fresh copy of Avast, install it, then immediately run the uninstaller.
Permission Denied: Make sure you’re using an administrator account and have entered the correct password when prompted.
| Method | Time Required | Completeness | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Uninstaller | 5 minutes | 90% clean | Easy |
| Manual Removal | 15 minutes | 95% clean | Medium |
| Third-party App | 3 minutes | 99% clean | Very Easy |
Alternative Security Solutions for Mac
Before completely removing Avast, consider these modern alternatives that work better with macOS:
Built-in macOS Security: For most users, Apple’s integrated security features provide adequate protection without performance impact.
Malwarebytes: Lighter resource usage with excellent malware detection specifically designed for Mac threats.
CleanMyMac X: Combines security scanning with system optimization, perfect for maintaining peak Mac performance.
Final Verification Steps
After uninstalling Avast, verify complete removal:
- Check Activity Monitor for any remaining Avast processes
- Search Spotlight for “Avast” to find any remaining files
- Restart your Mac and monitor performance improvements
- Check System Preferences > Security & Privacy for any remaining Avast entries
Bottom Line
The most reliable way to uninstall Avast from Mac is using its built-in uninstaller followed by manual cleanup of leftover files. For busy professionals who want zero hassle, third-party uninstaller apps like App Cleaner handle everything automatically.
Your Mac will likely run faster and smoother after removing Avast, especially if you’ve been experiencing performance issues. Modern macOS security features provide solid protection for most users without the resource overhead of traditional antivirus software.
Ready to make the switch? Start with the official uninstaller method, then use our leftover file cleanup guide to ensure your Mac is completely Avast-free. Your workflow (and battery life) will thank you.
