This short tutorial explains how to delete VPN on Mac and leave no trace behind it. It also explains what files are created during the installation of a VPN, how to see the VPN configuration files installed on your Mac, and how to uninstall NordVPN, one of the most popular VPN services.
How to remove VPN from Mac [Summary]
Deleting a VPN app or connection from your Mac is not difficult. However, when uninstalling VPN software, make sure you remove all files.
- Case 1: You have installed a VPN client application.
- Step 1: Delete the VPN app.
- Step 2: Delete preferences files.
- Step 3: Delete records from the keychain.
- Case 2: You have manually created a VPN connection.
- Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your screen.
- Go to System Preferences > Network.
- Select the VPN connection you want to delete from the left panel.
- Click the “-” button from the bottom of the panel.
As your goal is to remove the VPN from macOS, I suppose you already know how to install one. Nevertheless, I suggest that you read our bat-iful article on how to use a VPN on Mac. `You will find out what are the available options and what VPN providers we recommend for Mac OS X.
What does a VPN app install on your Mac
When you install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) application on your Mac, several files are copied and created on your computer.
Firstly, the application files are stored in the Applications folder, in a directory with the app’s name (e.g., ExpressVPN.app). Tip: you may right-click on the directory name and choose Show Package Content to see all the app files.
Secondly, VPN apps may store some files in the Library folders. Most of the time, installation files are copied in the global Library folder (/Library), and preferences files are created in the Library folder associated with your user name (/ Users/[your username]/Library.
By moving the app into the Trash, only the files from Applications are removed, while some associated files may remain orphan on your computer. Thus, you may need to delete them manually.
How to see the VPN configurations set up on macOS
The VPN configurations (manually created or installed by VPN Mac apps) are visible in the Network window: System Preferences > Network. The VPN profiles are marked with the 🔒 icon, and they are listed in the left panel.

How to delete VPN on Mac
Depending on the way you installed the VPN on your Mac computer you have the following options.
Case 1: You have installed a VPN client application
Most VPN providers offer access to their services by installing VPN client apps on your Mac, some available in the App Store, others on their websites.
Step 1. In this case, the first step is to uninstall the application:
- Quit the application if it is open.
- Open the Applications folder and search for the VPN app.
- Right-click in the VPN app name and select Move to Bin.

Step 2. Delete preferences files and other app files.
- Open a Finder window.
- Perform a search on the name of the app (e.g., “expressvpn”). Make sure the search on This Mac in order to find all related files.
- Right-click on folders and files associated with the VPN app (usually they start with “com.” and they are followed by the name of the app) and select Move to Bin.
- Right-click on the Bin (on the right side of the Dock) and select Empty Bin.
Step 3. Delete records from the keychain.
- Open the Keychain Access app (search for keychain in Launchpad).
- Perform a search on the name of the app (e.g., “CyberGhost”).
- Select all items, right-click, and select Delete.

Case 2: You have manually created a VPN connection
A VPN connection can also be created by setting the connection preferences (VPN protocol, VPN server name, authentication credentials) manually from the Network window.
In this case, to remove the VPN from your Mac, you need to alter the VPN settings and delete VPN profiles:
- Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your screen.
- Go to System Preferences > Network.
- Select the VPN connection you want to remove from the left panel.
- Click the “-” button from the bottom of the panel.
- Repeat steps 3 & 4 for other VPN configuration profiles.

How to completely uninstall NordVPN on Mac
NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers worldwide, with great apps for all popular operating systems (macOS, Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS, Linux). Thus, it is useful to explain how to delete the NordVPN app from Mac and its tracks.
Before you begin, make sure you disable the VPN and quit the NordVPN application.
On Mac, there is no uninstaller for the NordVPN app. Firstly, open Finder, go to the Applications folder, and look for the NordVPN IKE app. Right-click on it and select Move to Bin.

Confirm that you want to delete the NordVPN app.

You may now proceed with the removal of other files stored by the NordVPN app on your Mac:
- go to [your HD] > Users > [your username] > Library > Application Scripts, select all folders that start with “com.nordvpn.osx-apple”, right-click and move them to Bin.
- go to [your HD] > Users > [your username] > Library > Containers, select all folders that start with “com.nordvpn.osx-apple”, right-click and move them to Bin.

Further, right click on the Bin (on the right side of the Dock) and select Empty Trash.

The final step is to remove the records from the keychain. Open the Keychain Access app (type keychain in Launchpad) and search for “nordvpn”.

Select all records, right-click and Delete.
You have now completely removed NordVPN from your Mac.
Summary
You have learned how to delete VPN on Mac. You may either remove the VPN app (don’t forget to delete the preferences files and additional libraries) or erase the VPN profiles.
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