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How to Remove Grammarly from MacBook Air: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve decided to part ways with Grammarly on your trusty MacBook Air. Maybe you’ve found an alternative, or perhaps you simply don’t need it anymore. Whatever the reason, removing Grammarly is a straightforward process, but the exact steps depend on which versions and components you have installed. Here’s the most direct and comprehensive answer: To completely remove Grammarly from your MacBook Air, you need to uninstall the Grammarly desktop app, disable the Grammarly browser extension(s) (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.), and potentially remove the Grammarly Editor add-in from applications like Microsoft Word. We’ll break down each of these steps in detail below, ensuring a clean and complete removal.

Uninstalling the Grammarly Desktop Application

The first step is to uninstall the main Grammarly application. This is where many users get started, but it’s crucial to remember the browser extensions and other add-ins, which we’ll cover later.

Step-by-Step Guide

Quit Grammarly: Ensure the Grammarly application is completely closed. Look for the Grammarly icon in your menu bar (usually near the clock). Right-click on it and select “Quit” or “Exit.” If you don’t see the icon, Grammarly might not be running, but double-checking is always a good idea.
Open the Applications Folder: Click on Finder in your dock. In the Finder window, navigate to the “Applications” folder. You can find it in the sidebar or by pressing Shift + Command + A.
Locate Grammarly: Scroll through the list of applications until you find “Grammarly.”
Move to Trash: Drag the “Grammarly” icon to the Trash Can in your dock. Alternatively, right-click on the icon and select “Move to Trash.”
Empty Trash: Right-click on the Trash Can icon in your dock and select “Empty Trash.” This will permanently delete the Grammarly application from your MacBook Air.

Verifying Uninstallation

To ensure the application is truly gone, you can search your system for any remaining Grammarly files. Open Finder and use the search bar in the top right corner. Search for “Grammarly.” If any files or folders related to Grammarly appear, delete them by moving them to the Trash Can and emptying it. Be cautious when deleting files, ensuring they are indeed related to Grammarly to avoid accidentally removing important system files.

Disabling and Removing Grammarly Browser Extensions

The Grammarly browser extension is a key component for real-time writing assistance. Therefore, disabling and/or removing it from each of your browsers is crucial for complete removal.

For Safari

Open Safari: Launch the Safari browser on your MacBook Air.
Open Preferences: In the menu bar, click on “Safari” and select “Preferences.”
Go to Extensions: In the Preferences window, click on the “Extensions” tab.
Locate Grammarly: You should see “Grammarly for Safari” in the list of installed extensions.
Uninstall or Disable: To completely remove the extension, click the “Uninstall” button next to “Grammarly for Safari.” Alternatively, you can uncheck the box next to “Grammarly for Safari” to temporarily disable it. If you uninstall, Safari might prompt you to confirm the removal.
Restart Safari: After uninstalling or disabling the extension, restart Safari to ensure the changes take effect.

For Chrome

Open Chrome: Launch the Chrome browser on your MacBook Air.
Access Extensions: In the top right corner of the Chrome window, click on the three vertical dots (the “Customize and control Google Chrome” menu). From the dropdown menu, go to “More tools” and then select “Extensions.” Alternatively, type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
Locate Grammarly: Find the “Grammarly” extension in the list.
Remove or Disable: To completely remove the extension, click the “Remove” button next to “Grammarly.” Chrome will prompt you to confirm the removal. To temporarily disable it, toggle the switch next to “Grammarly” to the “Off” position.
Restart Chrome: After removing or disabling the extension, restart Chrome to ensure the changes take effect.

For Firefox

Open Firefox: Launch the Firefox browser on your MacBook Air.
Access Add-ons: In the top right corner of the Firefox window, click on the three horizontal lines (the “Open menu”). From the dropdown menu, select “Add-ons.” Alternatively, type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter.
Locate Grammarly: Find the “Grammarly” add-on in the list.
Remove or Disable: To completely remove the add-on, click the three dots next to “Grammarly” and select “Remove.” Firefox will prompt you to confirm the removal. To temporarily disable it, click the three dots next to “Grammarly” and select “Disable.”
Restart Firefox: After removing or disabling the add-on, restart Firefox to ensure the changes take effect.

Removing the Grammarly Editor Add-in (Microsoft Word)

Grammarly sometimes integrates directly into applications like Microsoft Word through an add-in. If you use Word, you’ll need to remove this add-in separately.

Steps to Remove the Word Add-in

Open Microsoft Word: Launch Microsoft Word on your MacBook Air.
Access Add-ins (varies by Word version):
- For older versions (Word 2016 and earlier): Go to “Tools” > “Templates and Add-ins.”
- For newer versions (Word 365 and later): Go to “Insert” > “Add-ins” > “My Add-ins” > “Manage My Add-ins.” Or, look for a “Developer” tab (you might need to enable it in Word’s preferences) and find the “Add-ins” option.
Locate Grammarly: In the Add-ins window, you should see “Grammarly” listed.
Remove or Disable: Select “Grammarly” and click the “Remove” button. If there’s no explicit “Remove” button, you might need to uncheck a box next to “Grammarly” to disable it.
Restart Word: After removing or disabling the add-in, restart Microsoft Word to ensure the changes take effect.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to provide further clarity and address potential issues you might encounter while removing Grammarly.

1. Why can’t I find the Grammarly application in my Applications folder?

Sometimes, applications are hidden or misplaced. Try using Spotlight Search (Command + Spacebar) and typing “Grammarly.” If it appears in the search results, right-click on it and select “Show in Finder” to locate its exact location. If it still doesn’t appear, double-check that you actually installed the desktop application. You might only be using the browser extension.

2. What if Grammarly is still running after I’ve tried to quit it?

Force quitting can be a solution. Press Command + Option + Escape to open the Force Quit Applications window. Select “Grammarly” from the list (if it’s running) and click “Force Quit.”

3. How do I know if the Grammarly browser extension is completely removed?

After following the removal steps, restart your browser. Then, try typing in a text field online (e.g., in Gmail or Google Docs). If Grammarly is truly removed, you shouldn’t see the Grammarly icon or any suggestions appearing.

4. Can I just disable the Grammarly extension instead of removing it?

Yes, disabling the extension is a valid option if you want to temporarily stop using Grammarly without completely uninstalling it. This can be useful if you anticipate needing it again in the future.

5. Will removing Grammarly affect my documents that were previously checked by Grammarly?

No, removing Grammarly will not affect your previously edited documents. The changes made by Grammarly are permanent and will remain in your documents.

6. Is there a difference between removing and uninstalling Grammarly?

The terms “removing” and “uninstalling” are often used interchangeably. In this context, they both refer to the process of completely eliminating Grammarly from your system.

7. I’ve removed the browser extension, but I still see Grammarly suggestions. Why?

This could be due to residual data or cache. Try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, then restart your browser again.

8. I’m having trouble removing the Grammarly add-in from Microsoft Word. What should I do?

Ensure you have the correct version of Word and are following the appropriate steps for accessing and managing add-ins. If you’re still facing issues, consult Microsoft Word’s help documentation or search online forums for solutions specific to your Word version.

9. Does Grammarly leave behind any residual files or folders after uninstallation?

It’s possible for some residual files or folders to remain. As mentioned earlier, you can use Finder’s search function to look for any files or folders containing “Grammarly” and delete them. However, exercise caution to avoid deleting unrelated files.

10. Will removing Grammarly affect my Grammarly account?

No, removing Grammarly from your MacBook Air will not affect your Grammarly account. Your account will remain active, and you can still access Grammarly on other devices or reinstall it on your MacBook Air at any time.

11. I reinstalled Grammarly, but my settings are gone. Why?

Reinstalling Grammarly should typically restore your previous settings if you’re logged into your Grammarly account. However, if your settings are lost, you may need to reconfigure them in the Grammarly application or browser extension preferences.

12. Is there a dedicated Grammarly uninstaller tool for Mac?

No, Grammarly doesn’t offer a dedicated uninstaller tool for Mac. The manual steps outlined in this guide are the recommended method for completely removing Grammarly.

By following these detailed instructions, you should be able to completely and cleanly remove Grammarly from your MacBook Air. Remember to address each component – the desktop app, browser extensions, and Word add-in – for a thorough uninstallation. Good luck!