TidyMacQuit WhatsApp, drag it from Applications to the Trash, then remove ~/Library/Containers/net.whatsapp.WhatsApp and the group container ~/Library/Group Containers/group.net.whatsapp.WhatsApp.shared, which holds the chat database and every photo, video and document. WhatsApp on Mac is a linked device, so your chats stay on your phone.
Uninstall WhatsApp step by step
- Save any photos, videos or documents you want from your chats.
- On your phone, open WhatsApp › Linked devices and log out the Mac (optional, but tidy).
- Quit WhatsApp and drag it from Applications to the Trash.
- Move ~/Library/Containers/net.whatsapp.WhatsApp to the Trash.
- Move ~/Library/Group Containers/group.net.whatsapp.WhatsApp.shared (and any other Group Containers folder starting with group.net.whatsapp) to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash when you’re sure.
Where WhatsApp leaves files
| Location | What it is | After uninstalling |
|---|---|---|
| ~/Library/Group Containers/group.net.whatsapp.WhatsApp.shared | Chat database and every photo, video, voice note and document | Check first |
| ~/Library/Containers/net.whatsapp.WhatsApp | App data and settings | Safe |
In Finder choose Go › Go to Folder (Shift-Command-G) and paste a path to open it. Safe means nothing you made is inside; Check first means it may hold the only copy of something. To see how much space they use, run this read-only command in Terminal:
du -sh ~/Library/Group\ Containers/group.net.whatsapp.WhatsApp.shared ~/Library/Containers/net.whatsapp.WhatsApp 2>/dev/nullThe group container is the big one
WhatsApp keeps its chat database and all received media in a group container, a folder shared between the app and its extensions. It often grows to tens of gigabytes because every forwarded video is stored. More about this folder
Your chats are on your phone
The Mac app is a linked device. Removing it from the Mac doesn’t delete chats from your phone or from other linked devices.
Used the older WhatsApp Desktop?
The previous desktop app kept its data in ~/Library/Application Support/WhatsApp. If that folder exists, it’s a leftover too.
Keeping WhatsApp?
Open Settings › Storage and Data › Manage Storage on your phone or Mac and remove large media chat by chat.
Uninstall WhatsApp with TidyMac
TidyMac’s uninstaller lists every app with its size and last use, and finds the leftovers that belong to it by bundle ID. Remove WhatsApp and its leftovers in one review: everything goes to the Trash first, you confirm twice, TidyMac checks the disk afterwards, and you can put anything back. Leftovers from apps you already deleted are found too, labelled Check first.
Uninstall apps and their leftovers in one step
See every part of your storage explained, and clean only what’s safe after you confirm twice. $9.99, one time.
Frequently asked questions
Does dragging WhatsApp to the Trash uninstall it completely?
No. It removes the app, but WhatsApp leaves 2 kinds of files behind in your Library and elsewhere: chat database and every photo, video, voice note and document; app data and settings. The steps above remove them.
What is WhatsApp’s bundle ID on Mac?
net.whatsapp.WhatsApp. Most of its leftover files and folders are named after it, which is how you (and TidyMac) can tell they belong to WhatsApp.
Can I reinstall WhatsApp later?
Yes. Download it again from Meta. Anything stored in your account online comes back when you sign in; local-only data you removed does not.