June 6, 2025

How to uninstall Epic Games Launcher on Mac

Asya Karapetyan
Written by
A content marketer with 10+ years of experience specializing in macOS, focused on creating guides for Mac cleanup and optimization.

Asya Karapetyan

Alex Holovchenko
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The content has been reviewed and approved by our team member, an Apple Certified Support Professional, who provides technical support to Nektony’s users.

Alex Holovchenko

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Looking to completely remove the Epic Games Launcher from your Mac? Whether you want to free up disk space or simply no longer use the app, uninstalling it along with all its leftover files isn’t always as easy as dragging it to the Trash.

In this guide, I’ll explain two ways to completely uninstall the Epic Games Launcher on a Mac and make sure no remaining files are left behind: automatically with a tool and manually. I did this on my MacBook Air M2 (24GB memory, macOS 14.4).

Before we start, I recommend watching the video below. It demonstrates how to quickly uninstall the Epic Games Launcher on a Mac using Nektony’s uninstaller, step by step:

Video guide: The fastest way to uninstall Epic Games Launcher

1:39

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What is Epic Games Launcher, and why uninstall it?

The Epic Games Launcher is a desktop application that allows you to access and manage games purchased from the Epic Games Store, like Fortnite and other popular titles. It also lets you download updates, manage your game library, and connect with friends.

However, sometimes things go wrong.

You might experience crashes, freezes, or slowdowns on your Mac, especially if the launcher is running in the background all the time. In some cases, bugs or performance issues can make it necessary to uninstall the app. Maybe the launcher is taking up too much space, or you’ve decided you no longer need it.

Whatever the reason, uninstalling it properly is key to avoiding leftover files and freeing up system resources.

How to uninstall Epic Games Launcher on Mac

Let’s look at two routes to remove the Epic Games Launcher. The first is quickly with App Cleaner & Uninstaller from Nektony, which deletes everything in a few clicks. The second is manual, where you’ll need to search for hidden leftover files yourself.

1. Delete Epic Games Launcher using App Cleaner & Uninstaller

One of the fastest ways to uninstall the Epic Games Launcher on Mac entirely is by using App Cleaner & Uninstaller from Nektony. This Mac cleaning app is highly rated on Trustpilot, Apple-notarized, and trusted by over 10 million users worldwide.

Here’s how to use it:

  1. Download the uninstaller and launch it.
  2. From the list of scanned apps, select Epic Games Launcher.
  3. Click Uninstall.
  4. Confirm the removal
App Cleaner & Uninstaller window showing how to remove the Epic Games

2. Remove Epic Games Launcher from Mac manually

You can manually uninstall the Epic Games Launcher on your Mac, but you’ll need to ensure that no hidden files remain. These hidden files are small remnants that the app leaves in various system folders, even after you delete the main program. They can take up space and cause issues if not removed properly.

After following the standard uninstallation steps, you’ll need to check for leftover files that could be hidden in system folders.

So, here is how you can do it:

  1. Close the Epic Games Launcher by right-clicking on the icon in the Dock and selecting “Quit” or by using Command+Q. Quit Epic Games Launcher
  2. Verify that no associated processes are running. To do this, open Activity Monitor → search for “Epic Games” or related processes → select them → click the Close button (a hexagon with an X) at the top-left corner. Closing Epic Games running processes in Activity Monitor
  3. Open the Applications folder located in the Finder → locate the Epic Games Launcher → drag it to the Trash.

    Removing Epic Games Launcher from the Applications folder
  4. Remove Epic Games service files and folders. For this, open Finder → click Go in the menu bar → select Go to Folder… from the options.

    Removing Epic Games Launcher from the Applications folder

  5. In the Go to Folder… window, type
    ~/Library

    Copy

    and press Return.
  6. Navigate to the following directories and remove any Epic Games Launcher folders or files within them:
    • Application

      /Applications/Epic Games Launcher.app

      Copy

      ~/Library/Services/UE4EditorServices.app

      Copy

    • Application-support

      ~/Library/Application Support/Epic

      Copy

      ~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher

      Copy

      ~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher.binarycookies

      Copy

      ~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.epicgames.UE4Editor.binarycookies

      Copy

      ~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.epicgames.UE4Editor

      Copy

      ~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.epicgames.UnrealEditor

      Copy

      ~/.config/Unreal Engine

      Copy

    • Preferences

      ~/Library/Preferences/Unreal Engine

      Copy

      ~/Library/Preferences/com.epicgames.UnrealCEFSubProcess.plist

      Copy

      ~/Library/Preferences/com.epicgames.EpicWebHelper.plist

      Copy

      ~/Library/Preferences/com.epicgames.EpicGamesModSdk.plist

      Copy

    • Login items

      ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.epicgames.launcher.plist

      Copy

    • Caches

      ~/Library/Saved Application State/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher.savedState

      Copy

      ~/Library/Caches/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher

      Copy

      ~/Library/Caches/com.epicgames.UE4Editor

      Copy

      ~/Library/Caches/com.epicgames.UnrealEditor

      Copy

      ~/Library/Saved Application State/com.epicgames.UnrealEditor.savedState

      Copy

    • Logs

      ~/Library/Logs/Unreal Engine

      Copy

    • Shared

      /Users/Shared/UnrealEngine

      Copy

      /Users/Shared/Epic Games

      Copy

    Note:

    If you don’t want to delete your installed games, do not touch the /Users/Shared/Epic Games folder.

    Epic Games Launcher support files in the Library folder
  7. Once you’ve verified that all related files and folders are removed, empty the Trash to completely delete the application.

  8. Also, I recommend restarting your Mac to prevent any alias files from creating extra items.

If you’re not sure how to find or delete leftover files, it’s safer to use App Cleaner & Uninstaller from Nektony. It will automatically remove all junk files without affecting anything else on your Mac.

Troubleshooting common problems

In 2024, Epic Games gained 25 million new users, according to TechRadar. With such a large user base, it’s no surprise that many encounter issues when trying to uninstall the Epic Games Launcher. From persistent background processes to ghost icons, small bugs can prevent you from uninstalling the app. Here I want to share three common problems you might face and how I fixed them.

Problem 1: Epic Games Launcher won’t uninstall because it’s still running in the background

If you’re getting the error “Epic Games Launcher is currently running. Please close it before continuing,” or you’re blocked from uninstalling, make sure the launcher isn’t running in the background.

  1. Open Activity Monitor.
  2. Find and select Epic Games Launcher in the list.
  3. Click the Stop (X) button in the top-left corner and select Force Quit.
  4. After that, try uninstalling the app again.

Problem 2: The Epic Games icon stays in Launchpad after deletion

If you’ve deleted the Epic Games Launcher but the icon is still showing in Launchpad, you can reset Launchpad to remove it. Open the Terminal app and run this command:

defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true

Copy

killall Dock

Copy

This will reset Launchpad and usually clears out any leftover app icons. You can follow this great guide on Reddit for more solutions to remove it.

Problem 3: It’s behaving erratically after updates

Sometimes, you might need to reset the Epic Games Launcher to fix certain issues, especially if it’s behaving erratically after installation or updates. The App Cleaner & Uninstaller from Nektony offers a reset option that restores the Epic Games Launcher to its default settings.

  1. Open the uninstaller.
  2. Find Epic Games and right-click it.
  3. Select Reset Application from the context menu.
Resettings Epic Games

This will fix issues like corrupted preferences or login errors without fully uninstalling the app.

If you’re experiencing these or other problems with the Epic Games Launcher, you can find troubleshooting tips in the official Epic Games support article.

So, automatic or manual: what’s the best way?

You can remove the Epic Games Launcher manually, but it requires attention to detail. To fully uninstall the app, locate associated files scattered across different system folders. Missing any of these can leave behind leftover data.

Alternatively, you can use a third-party uninstaller to streamline the process. These tools typically identify related files automatically and offer a simpler, faster way to remove apps.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I uninstall Epic Games Launcher?

Uninstalling the Epic Games Launcher will remove the launcher application itself and all the games installed through it. However, the games are not deleted from your system; just the launcher's connection to them is removed. Once the Epic Games Launcher is reinstalled, you can download any games you own on your Epic Games account that were removed.

How do I delete the Epic Games Launcher cache?

To delete the cache, navigate to the folder
~/Library/Caches

Copy

and find any Epic Games-related files. Delete these files to clear the cache, which can help resolve issues related to the app’s performance.

Can I uninstall Epic Games Launcher without deleting games?

Yes, you can uninstall the Epic Games Launcher without deleting your games by simply removing the launcher and keeping the game files intact. Your game files are stored separately in the Epic Games folder, and they will remain untouched unless you manually delete them.

How do I completely uninstall Epic Games Launcher?

To fully uninstall Epic Games Launcher, you can use App Cleaner & Uninstaller from Nektony, which will remove the launcher and all residual files. Alternatively, you can manually delete the application and all associated files from directories like
~/Library/Application Support

Copy

,
~/Library/Caches

Copy

, and
~/Library/Preferences

Copy

.

Why can't I close Epic Games Launcher?

If you're unable to close the Epic Games Launcher, it may be due to a background process that is keeping it open. You can force quit the app using the Activity Monitor to completely stop the launcher.

How to uninstall apps on Mac that won't delete?

If an app won’t uninstall on your Mac, try force quitting any processes related to the app in Activity Monitor and then delete the app. Using a third-party tool like App Cleaner & Uninstaller can also ensure all associated files are removed.

How do I uninstall Epic Games Launcher while running?

You cannot uninstall Epic Games Launcher while it is running. To uninstall it, first, quit the app.

How do I reinstall the Epic Games Launcher?

If you want to reinstall the Epic Games Launcher, you'll need to download the installer from the Epic Games website, run it, and follow the prompts to complete the installation. You can follow the detailed instructions provided in this Epic Games support guide.

How to stop Epic Games Launcher from running automatically at Mac startup?

On Mac, you can change startup items in System Settings. Here is how to stop Epic Games Launcher from running automatically at Mac startup:

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Click on General.
  3. Scroll down and select Login Items & Extensions in the right panel.
  4. Remove Epic Games Launcher from the list of items that open automatically at Mac login.

If the steps above didn’t help you or you don’t see the Epic Games login items in this list, follow these steps to stop it from auto running:

  1. Find Epic Games Launcher and open it.
  2. Go to settings. For this, click on the Settings icon in the sidebar.
  3. Uncheck the option “Run When My Computer Starts.”
  4. Epic Games Launcher settings showing where to stop autorun.
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