The scam is cheeky and brazen: both the system clean-up tool MacKeeper and the virus scanner Mac-Mechanic are heavily advertised on the web. However, after installing the programs, which at first glance appear to be serious, Mac users usually experience their own miracle: Both tools permanently point out "serious errors", which – of course – can only be fixed for cash. Even worse: MacKeeper and Mac-Mechanic embed themselves deeply into the system, MacKeeper even wants access to contacts and calendars. And a simple uninstall by moving it to the trash is usually not possible. In other words: Both tools only serve the purpose of making Mac users feel insecure – and thus to make money. So get rid of them!
How to Delete MacKeeper from MacBook Pro
MacKeeper, in particular, is annoying because it basically claims that the "system status of your Mac is Severe" after a scan. In order to fix these alleged problems, it is necessary to enable the software, it claims. For this, the software offers a number of not particularly inexpensive activation subscriptions: from 14.95 euros a month to 118.80 euros for a 24-month subscription goes the price structure. Yet such a thing isn’t even necessary: if the Mac starts up and functions normally, the problems can’t be that serious – especially since there are other, reputable tools that do the job better and, above all, for free. But first, you need to get rid of MacKeeper and co.
If you have installed a tool like MacKeeper or Mac-Mechanic, uninstallation is only possible with a trick: you have to use a Mac uninstaller, which removes the annoying programs along with all files scattered deep in the system. Ideal for this purpose is the AppCleaner tool from FreeMacSoft.
Step 1: Download AppCleaner. Double click on the ZIP file, the app will be unpacked.
Step 2: Now move the AppCleaner program file to your Applications folder.
Step 3: Then double-click on the program to launch it. You will see a simple drag and drop interface.
Step 4: If Mackeeper, Mac-Mechanic, or any other program you want to delete is still running, you should quit it now, or AppCleaner will report an error.
Step 5: Now open the Applications folder again and drag the application icon of Mackeeper, Mac-Mechanic or the software you want to delete onto the AppCleaner application window.
Step 6: AppCleaner will now display all the program components of Mackeeper and co. Click "Delete" to move them to the trash.
Step 7: AppCleaner will now ask you to enter your administrator password for confirmation. Confirm this with "OK". After that, the files belonging to Mackeeper or Mac-Mechanic will be moved to the Trash.
Step 8: Now right-click on the Trash icon in the Dock to empty the Trash. After that, Mackeeper (or its annoying relatives) is cleanly uninstalled.
Step 9: You should now restart the Mac once to make sure that no remnants of the program are active in memory either.
By the way, we recommend using AppCleaner with reputable software as well if you want to delete it. Simply moving the program file to the Recycle Bin leaves behind countless mini file remnants. Not only are they unnecessary, but they also take up valuable Mac storage space. Plus, using AppCleaner ensures that there aren’t any slowing program remnants still bumming around the system. Does AppCleaner not meet your taste? Here we have compared different uninstallers for you.
Clean up Your Mac? Use a Reputable Tool!
But what to do if your Mac is lame or causes problems? Well, on the one hand you can of course heed our tips for a faster Mac, on the other hand you can reach for a reputable and free cleanup tool like Onyx. Onyx helps clean up the Mac system and check for errors (such as on the hard drive). Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Install Onyx for your macOS version and then double-clicking to mount it. After that, move the Onyx program to the Applications folder.
Step 2: Now start Onyx by double-clicking it from the Applications folder. Confirm the security message with " Open".
Step 3: Afterwards, the program still requires administrator rights. Enter your system password and click "OK".
Step 4: Now click on the "Optimize" tab in Onyx. In the following menu, you can select and deselect a variety of options. Leave it at the default settings and click on "Execute".
Step 5: Onyx now reports "A restart is requested". Save your documents, if you still have any open, and then click "Next".
Step 6: Onyx now warns that it will close all running programs. Confirm this with "Next".
Step 7: Onyx will now check the system drive. This takes a while and gives the impression that the Mac has crashed. Just wait and see. The optimization runs through. Afterwards, your Mac will restart automatically.
Step 8: After the restart, the system is tidy, possible problems have been fixed. You may find that your Mac is very slow and airs out a lot in the first few minutes after rebooting: this is normal, as the Spotlight search index and other system databases are now being rebuilt. Afterwards, your Mac will be like new – and you won’t need to use tools like MacKeeper anymore!