How To Uninstall Adobe Acrobat On Mac (Full Guide)

Is Adobe Acrobat DC still the best PDF solution for your Mac? It’s a question many users find themselves asking as they navigate the demands of modern workflows and computer performance.

This article explores why you might consider uninstalling Acrobat DC and how to do it properly to enhance your productivity and computer health.

Why Consider Uninstalling Adobe Acrobat DC from Your Mac?

Adobe Acrobat DC, formerly known as Adobe Acrobat Reader, has been a go-to software for viewing and working with PDF documents. However, users may find reasons to uninstall it from their Mac. Some common reasons include the following:

• Storage Space: Uninstalling the application can free up significant disk space, especially if the app and its associated files are large.
• Alternative Software: You may prefer another PDF reader that offers better features or a more user-friendly interface.
• Native PDF Viewer: macOS comes with Preview, a built-in PDF viewer that is lightweight and efficient, reducing the need for additional software.

Whatever the case may be, you should make sure you perform a clean and thorough uninstall to keep your Mac computer in top shape and at peak performance.

How to Manually Uninstall Adobe Acrobat DC on Your Mac

The steps below provide a comprehensive guide to fully uninstall Adobe Acrobat and its associated files, clearing your system for new software installations.

Step 1: Close Adobe Acrobat DC

To avoid any issues during the uninstall, make sure the application is completely closed.

Right-click the Acrobat DC icon in the Dock and select Quit.

If Acrobat DC is not responding, you can force quit it. Open Activity Monitor on your Mac, locate all processes with “Acrobat” in their names, select each of them and click the [X] button to force quit.

Step 2: Delete Adobe Acrobat DC from Applications

Next, you need to remove Acrobat DC from the Applications folder. Follow these steps:

1. Open Finder on your Mac.
2. Navigate to the Applications tab in the Finder sidebar.
3. Find Adobe Acrobat DC in the list of applications, right-click it, and select Move to Trash or drag it to the Trash icon.
4. Empty the Trash to permanently delete the app.

This step removes the core components of Adobe Acrobat DC, but additional steps are required to eliminate leftover files.

Step 3: Erase Adobe Acrobat residual files

To completely uninstall Adobe Acrobat DC, you need to remove residual files located in various directories.

1. Open a new Finder window, click on Go in the menu, then select Go to Folder to bring up the dialog box.
2. In the prompt, type or paste the following paths one by one:
   • ~/Library/Application Support
   • ~/Library/Caches
   • ~/Library/Saved Application State
   • ~/Library/Preferences
   • ~/Library/Logs
3. Locate and delete any Adobe Acrobat DC leftover files found in these directories by dragging them to the Trash.

4. Empty the Trash to finalize the removal.

Be cautious not to delete files if you are unsure of their purpose, as this could impact other applications or your system’s stability. By following these steps, you ensure that all traces of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC are removed from your Mac, helping it run more efficiently.

How to completely remove Adobe Acrobat DC with SpyHunter

For a seamless and thorough removal of Acrobat DC and all associated files, consider using SpyHunter’s App Uninstaller. This tool automates the uninstallation process, eliminating the need to manually find and delete leftover files.

Here’s how to use SpyHunter to completely remove Adobe Acrobat DC:

1. Download SpyHunterDownload SpyHunter and follow the provided instructions on your screen.
2. After installation, open SpyHunter and navigate to the App Uninstaller section. The tool will scan your Mac and display a list of all installed app and all their related files.
3. Locate Adobe Acrobat DC in the list. SpyHunter will highlight all associated files. Select Adobe Acrobat and all related files to ensure comprehensive removal.

4. Click the Remove Selected button to delete Acrobat Reader and its associated files.

5. Once the uninstallation process is complete, restart your Mac to finalize the cleanup.

By using SpyHunter, you simplify the uninstallation process, ensuring no residual files are left behind, which helps maintain your Mac’s performance at its peak and frees up disk space.

Removing Acrobat Reader using the Adobe Creative Cloud application

As an alternative solution, you can also use the Adobe Creative Cloud application to uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Simply open the Creative Cloud app and find the Adobe Acrobat Reader icon in the App Apps view. Click the three dots menu button corresponding to Acrobat Reader, then click Uninstall in the menu that appears.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Adobe Acrobat DC from your system can be an easy process if you have the right tool for the job or follow the proper steps.

Regardless of the method you choose, a thorough cleanup of all leftover files following the removal of any application is essential for keeping your Mac operating at its best.

In case you need information on how to uninstall Adobe Creative Cloud itself – the parent frontend app that is used for launching all Adobe apps, we also have that covered on our blog.

You can also look at our comprehensive guide on how to uninstall any app from your Mac for general tips and a look at the typical flow of the uninstall process, including removal of residual files.