User profile for user: 1Qwees2
1Qwees2 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Permanently removing Google Chrome from an iMac; macOS Tahoe 26.2

So on my iMac, I must use Google Chrome for work Gmail, so forth. Recently, we had a power outage, the iMac shut down suddenly, my fault, didn’t have it plugged into the right battery backup connection, lesson learned.

Now, I keep getting an error and a restore message from Google. I followed all the basic steps to delete all Google files; however, after reinstalling Google, I’m still seeing error messages and a “restore it” option that does nothing.

I’ve read that App removers are not good to have on an iMac. Can someone help? How do I get rid of the messages?

iMac 24″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Jan 11, 2026 6:27 AM

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User profile for user: Old Toad
Old Toad
User level: Level 10
215,688 points

Posted on Jan 11, 2026 10:10 AM

You can use AppCleaner to remove the Chrome app and all its supporting files. One thing to watch out for is if you have other Google apps installed. As the Warning below states there may be common support files between Google apps.


WARNING: If you use AppCleaner on an app that you have other apps from the same developer, like Adobe, you must be extremely careful checking all checkboxes and deleting.  Some for those files may support other apps from the same developer and deleting them can mess them up.  Adobe apps is a primary example. I know from experience.  For singular apps from a developer it's safe.


An excellent alternative for Chrome is the Brave browser. It's essentially Chrome without Google's data mining of you comings and goings and other personal data.


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User profile for user: Old Toad
Old Toad
User level: Level 10
215,688 points

Jan 11, 2026 10:10 AM in response to 1Qwees2

You can use AppCleaner to remove the Chrome app and all its supporting files. One thing to watch out for is if you have other Google apps installed. As the Warning below states there may be common support files between Google apps.


WARNING: If you use AppCleaner on an app that you have other apps from the same developer, like Adobe, you must be extremely careful checking all checkboxes and deleting.  Some for those files may support other apps from the same developer and deleting them can mess them up.  Adobe apps is a primary example. I know from experience.  For singular apps from a developer it's safe.


An excellent alternative for Chrome is the Brave browser. It's essentially Chrome without Google's data mining of you comings and goings and other personal data.


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Permanently removing Google Chrome from an iMac; macOS Tahoe 26.2

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