Quit Firefox before you uninstall it:
Press Command + Q to close it fully first, since uninstalling while it's running
can trigger errors or leave background processes active.
CleanMyMac removes everything in one pass.
It automatically finds and deletes Firefox along with its caches, preferences,
and support files, so there's no manual folder-hunting.
Manual deletion leaves files behind:
Dragging Firefox to Trash only removes the app itself. You'll still need to clear
the leftovers from Library folders such as Application Support, Caches, and Preferences.
Terminal gives more precise control:
Advanced users can move or force-delete Firefox with Terminal commands, though
sudo rm -rf should be used with caution, as it skips the Trash entirely.
Setapp keeps your whole Mac tidy, not just Firefox.
Beyond this one browser, Setapp gives you 270+ apps, including CleanMyMac and
QuitAll
to manage your entire setup.
Start your free 7-day trial
.
To uninstall Firefox on Mac, quit the app, drag it from Applications to the Trash, then clear its leftover files from your Library folder — that's the only way to remove it completely. I ran into this myself while cleaning up my Mac: I mostly use Safari and Chrome now, so Firefox was just taking up space.
Here's a quick overview of the methods to uninstall Firefox on Mac. I'll explain each approach in detail below:
Or get CleanMyMac as a standalone app from $9.95 USD/mo — no membership needed.
Why uninstall Firefox?
Not everyone needs Firefox in their browser lineup. Here are the most common reasons Mac users decide to let it go:
Lack of use: With Chrome currently holding about 68% of browser market share and Safari being the default on Mac, Firefox often becomes the forgotten third browser.
Subpar mobile syncing: Android users sync seamlessly with Chrome while iOS users prefer Safari's native integration.
Fewer extensions available: Chrome's Web Store offers significantly more extensions than Firefox Add-ons.
Compatibility issues: Some web apps and services work exclusively with Chromium-based browsers.
A tired look and feel: Firefox's traditional interface feels dated compared to Safari's sleek design or Edge's modern approach.
Occasional bugs: macOS users sometimes encounter startup issues with Firefox that require a complete reinstall to fix.
When you're ready to remove Firefox, don't just drag it to the Trash. That leaves behind support files and preferences. Let's do this properly.
How to force-uninstall Firefox?
The fastest way to completely remove Firefox is using a dedicated uninstaller. I use CleanMyMac for this because it automatically finds all associated files.
Before you start, make sure Firefox is closed. Click the Firefox menu and choose Quit Firefox (or press Command + Q).
Here's how to uninstall Firefox with CleanMyMac:
1. Install and open CleanMyMac.
2. Choose Uninstaller > Find and select Firefox from the list.
3. Click Uninstall.
CleanMyMac removes the app and all its support files in one go. No leftovers, no manual hunting for hidden files.
How to delete Firefox manually?
If you prefer the manual approach, you'll need to remove several components. This method takes longer and might miss some files.
First, delete the Firefox application:
Open Finder and go to Applications.
Right-click Firefox and choose Move to Trash.
Empty your Trash to free up the space.
If Firefox is running, you'll see an error message. Press Command + Q to quit Firefox first.
If you'd rather handle every app removal this way going forward, check out the full guide to uninstalling programs on a Mac, which covers the same manual steps for any app, not just Firefox.
Delete Firefox via Terminal
If you're comfortable with the command line, Terminal gives you more precise control over the uninstall process.
Make sure Firefox is closed before starting:
1. Click Apps in the Dock > Open Terminal.
2. Type this command and press Return:
mv /Applications/Firefox.app ~/.Trash/
3. Empty the Trash to complete the removal.
For a more thorough removal, you can use sudo rm -rf instead of mv. Be careful with this command, as it permanently deletes files without sending them to Trash first.
Remove leftover Firefox files
After removing the app, you still need to delete Firefox's support files:
1. Press Shift + Command + G to open Go to Folder.
2. Type ~/Library/Application Support/ and press Return.
3. Delete the Firefox folder.
Repeat the same for the Caches folder:
1. Press Shift + Command + G to open Go to Folder
2. Type ~/Library/Caches/ and press Return
3. Delete the Firefox folder there too.
Check these additional locations for leftover files:
Delete any Firefox-related files you find in these folders.
How to delete Firefox browsing data?
Before uninstalling, you might want to clear your browsing data. This ensures no personal information remains on your Mac.
Here's how to wipe everything from Firefox:
Open Firefox if it's not already running.
In the menu bar, go to History > Clear Recent History.
In the Time range drop-down, choose Everything.
Select all the boxes for items to clear.
Click Clear Now.
This removes your browsing history, cookies, cache, and saved passwords from Firefox.
How to reset Firefox instead?
Sometimes you don't need to uninstall Firefox completely. If the browser is acting up or you've accidentally changed settings, resetting it might solve your problem.
To reset Firefox:
Open the Firefox Menu bar in the upper right corner.
Click Help > More troubleshooting information.
Click Refresh Firefox.
After Firefox closes and restarts, click Finish.
Firefox will open like new, with all preferences reset to defaults.
Complete your Mac cleanup after you uninstall Firefox
Now that you've removed Firefox, consider further optimizing your Mac. If Firefox wasn't the only thing eating your disk space, consider freeing up storage on your Mac. CleanMyMac can help you find and remove other unused apps and their leftover files.
If you regularly juggle multiple apps, QuitAll lets you close them all with a single click from your menu bar. It's handy when you're cleaning up your Mac or switching between projects.
Both CleanMyMac and QuitAll are available through Setapp, which gives you access to 270+ curated Mac and iOS apps under one subscription. Start your free 7-day Setapp trial.
FAQ
Will uninstalling Firefox delete my bookmarks and saved passwords?
Your bookmarks and passwords are stored in the Application Support folder. If you only delete the Firefox app from Applications, your data remains intact. To remove everything, delete the ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox folder too.
How do I completely remove leftover Firefox data and profiles after uninstalling?
After deleting Firefox from Applications, open Finder and press Shift + Command + G. Type ~/Library/Application Support/ and delete the Firefox folder. Then check ~/Library/Caches/ and ~/Library/Preferences/ for any Firefox files.
Can I reinstall Firefox after uninstalling it?
Yes, you can reinstall Firefox at any time by downloading it from Mozilla's website. If you didn't delete the Application Support folder, your previous bookmarks and settings will reappear when you reinstall.
Best solution
Best solution
