Here’s how to remove Crashplan from your Mac

Crashplan is an online backup tool that backs up your data to the cloud every few minutes and allows you to recover files whenever you need to. If you’ve stopped using Crashplan and want to uninstall it, we’ll tell you how.

How to uninstall Crashplan on your Mac

This will only remove the Code24 app from your Mac. It leaves the leftover files, including an identity file, on your drive. If you want to completely remove both the app and its files, move on to the next section of the article.

1. In the Finder, click on the Go menu.
2. Choose Go to Folder.
3. If Crashplan is only installed for your user account, type: ~/Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/Uninstall.app
4. If Crashplan is installed for all users on your Mac, type: /Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/Uninstall.app
5. Double-click the Uninstall app to run it.

How to remove Crashplan and its data from your Mac

In some instances, running the uninstaller might not work. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to remove Crashplan’s files and backups from your Mac manually.

1. Navigate to Go to Folder in the Finder again.
2. If Crashplan is only installed for your user account, type: ~/Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/Uninstall.app
3. If Crashplan is installed for all users on your Mac, type: /Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/Uninstall.app
4. Drag the Crashplan folder to the Trash.

Tip

There is an easier way to uninstall several applications simultaneously. CleanMyMac X’s Uninstaller module removes every trace of an application from your Mac at the press of a button. 

1. Download and install CleanMyMac X. 

2. Choose the Uninstaller module. 

3. Check the box next to the applications you want to uninstall. 

4. Press Uninstall.

How to uninstall Crashplan from your Mac using Terminal

If you couldn’t remove Crashplan following the steps above, you’d need to unlock the installation file first. The steps for this one differ depending on whether Crashplan is installed for all the users on your Mac or just your user account. Choose the steps that fit your situation.

Installed for all users

1. Go to Applications > Utilities and double-click Terminal to launch it.
2. Type the following command: sudo ls
3. Type in your admin password and press Return.

If you’re using version 8.2 or later, type or paste the following lines in Terminal, pressing Return at the end of each line:

sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.code42.service.plist

sudo chflags noschg /Applications/Code42.app

sudo chmod -R 755 "/Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/"

You can now close Terminal. Use the Finder’s Go to Folder to navigate to the following folders and drag them to the Trash.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.code42.service.plist
• /Applications/Code42/
• /Library/Caches/CrashPlan/
• /Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/

If you’re using version 8.0 or earlier, use these commands instead:

sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.crashplan.engine.plist

sudo chflags noschg /Applications/CrashPlan.app

sudo chmod -R 755 "/Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/"

You can now close Terminal. Use the Finder’s Go to Folder to navigate to the following folders and drag them to the Trash.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.crashplan.engine.plist
• /Applications/CrashPlan/
• /Library/Caches/CrashPlan/
• /Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/

Installed for one user account

1. Go to Applications > Utilities and double-click Terminal to launch it.
2. Type the following command: sudo ls
3. Type in your admin password and press Return.

Again, the next steps in the process are different depending on which version of Crashplan you have installed.

Version 8.2 or later

Launch Terminal and type the following commands:

sudo launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.code42.service.plist

sudo chflags noschg ~/Applications/Code42.app

sudo chmod -R 755 "~/Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/"

Version 8.0 or earlier

In Terminal, type the following commands:

sudo launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.crashplan.engine.plist

sudo chflags noschg ~/Applications/CrashPlan.app

sudo chmod -R 755 "~/Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/"

Use the Finder’s Go to Folder to navigate to the following folder and drag it to the Trash.

~/Library/Application Support/CrashPlan/

As you can see from the steps above, the process of removing Crashplan from your Mac is a long one. That’s because Crashplan, like most applications, doesn’t just install one file in your Applications folder. It stores files and backups in lots of different folders on your Mac.

How to remove all app leftover files at once

It’s a good idea to give your Mac a regular “spring clean” to remove the leftover files that may remain on your Mac after you delete applications. There are many files that build up over time, including temporary files, cache files, language files, and lots of browsing data and email attachments.

CleanMyMac X can help get rid of those files and save you gigabytes of space as well as ensure your Mac runs more smoothly.

1. Launch CleanMyMac X (download the app here).
2. Press Smart Scan.
3. When the scan has completed, press Run to follow the recommendations, or press Review Details to find out more.

Back up your Mac regularly

Crashplan is a tool for backing up your Mac. If you uninstall it, you should ensure you replace it with another backup tool, perhaps Apple’s Time Machine.

Cloud backups like Crashplan should be part of your strategy, but it’s wise also to have a local backup so you can recover files in the event there is a problem with your internet connection. Regular, incremental backups don’t just protect your data from being mistakenly deleted or falling victim to a crash or drive failure. They can help you recover files if you are hit by ransomware, or other malware, attack.

CleanMyMac X can scan your Mac for malware and monitor your Mac for threats in real-time. It will alert you if it finds anything suspicious so that you could remove the threat instantly.

Removing Crashplan from your Mac is not as simple as just dragging the application file from your Applications folder to the Trash. There are lots of other files you need to remove, too. You can do it manually by following the steps above. But, as you can see, you’ll need to know which version you’re running and whether or not it’s installed for all users on your Mac. A simpler solution is to use CleanMyMac X’s Uninstaller module to remove Crashplan and its files with a couple of clicks.