4 Ways to uninstall GlobalProtect from Mac

Method 1: Delete GlobalProtect using the official installer

If you still have the original GlobalProtect installer package (.pkg) from when you first set up the app, you can use it to safely remove everything, just like the developers intended.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Locate the original installer. You’ll need the exact .pkg file you used to install GlobalProtect. If you don’t have it, try checking your Downloads folder.
2. Double-click the installer.
3. Click Continue until you reach the Installation Type step.
4. Click the Uninstall button.
5. Enter your administrator password when prompted.
6. Finish the process and restart your Mac. This ensures all launch daemons, services, and background components are properly removed.

This method is safe and officially supported, but it’s not accessible if you no longer have the installer. Additionally, it doesn’t remove logs, caches, or preferences. So, consider using one of the methods below.

Method 2: Execute the built-in script

Another way to get rid of GlobalProtect is by running the official script that comes bundled with the app. This method has existed for several years on Stack Overflow already and has proven its reliability. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Terminal (use Spotlight or find it in Applications → Utilities).
2. Enter the following command and press Return:
   sudo /Applications/GlobalProtect.app/Contents/Resources/uninstall_gp.sh

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3. Enter your admin password when prompted.

(You won’t see any symbols when you type a password in Terminal; this is intended behavior.)

This script will automatically remove the client and delete background service components.

Method 3: Remove GlobalProtect manually

If the script fails or you want to be 100% sure that nothing remains, you can manually delete the associated files and folders.

1. Quit the app first via Activity Monitor (it’s an important step to prevent an issue “Can’t Trash the app because it’s open.”)
2. Go to the Applications folder → locate and trash GlobalProtect.
3. Navigate to the ~/Library folder. For this, click Go in the menu bar → hold down the Option key and click Library.
4. Now you need to remove the following files and folders in the Library folder:

   • ~/Library/Application Support/PaloAltoNetworks

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   • ~/Library/Application Support/GlobalProtect

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   • ~/Library/Application Scripts/group.com.paloaltonetworks.globalprotect.vpn

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   • ~/Library/Caches/PanGPS

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   • ~/Library/Preferences/com.paloaltonetworks.GlobalProtect.settings.plist

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   • ~/Library/Preferences/com.paloaltonetworks.GlobalProtect.client.plist

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   • ~/Library/Logs/PaloAltoNetworks

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   • ~/Library/Containers/E42D22B1-822F-4305-8F92-E2EAA7E36C42/Data/Library/Saved Application State/com.paloaltonetworks.globalprotect.vpn~iosmac.savedState

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   • ~/Library/Containers/396BC6B4-61EC-492A-8AF2-A4316905A679/Data/Library/Caches/com.paloaltonetworks.globalprotect.vpn.extension

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   • ~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.paloaltonetworks.globalprotect.vpn

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5. Now let’s head to /Library. Unlike the users’ ~/Library, /Library is the system’s folder available in the root of your system disk. In Finder, press Cmd+Shift+G → navigate to the following files and folders and remove them:

   • /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.paloaltonetworks.gpservice

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   • /Library/Application Support/PaloAltoNetworks

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   • /Library/Logs/PaloAltoNetworks

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   • /Library/Preferences/com.paloaltonetworks.GlobalProtect.settings.plist

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   • /Library/LaunchAgents/com.paloaltonetworks.gp.pangps.plist

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   • /Library/LaunchAgents/com.paloaltonetworks.gp.pangpa.plist

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   • /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.paloaltonetworks.gpservice.plist

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   • /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.paloaltonetworks.gp.pangpsd.plist

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6. The last folder to go to is /private/var (use the same approach as in the previous step to access it). Delete the following files there:

   • /private/var/run/PanGPS.pid

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   • /private/var/db/receipts/com.paloaltonetworks.globalprotect.pkg.plist

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   • /private/var/db/receipts/com.paloaltonetworks.globalprotect.pkg.bom

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7. At the very end of these file manipulations, restart your Mac as per Apple’s recommendations.

Method 4: Delete GlobalProtect instantly with App Cleaner & Uninstaller

If you want the easiest and fastest way to remove GlobalProtect and all its traces, use App Cleaner & Uninstaller from Nektony. It finds all related files and deletes them in a few clicks, so no need to dig through system folders or run Terminal commands.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open App Cleaner & Uninstaller.
   Download

   for macOS 10.13 and above

   App Cleaner & Uninstaller

2. Find and select GlobalProtect in the list of applications.
   The tool automatically scans your Mac and displays all installed apps, so you can immediately find GlobalProtect in the list.

   Optional: Enable Expert Mode if you want to see exactly and review what is about to be deleted via the toggle in the upper part of the screen.

   

3. Click “Remove” (Or “Uninstall” if you’re not in Expert mode).
4. Confirm the action.
   GlobalProtect and all of its components will be removed in seconds.
5. Empty your Trash.
   This completes the uninstallation process.

How to reset GlobalProtect

If your goal is just to fix the problem with GlobalProtect, instead of uninstalling and reinstalling it, you can reset it, which is basically the same. For that, when you find GlobalProtect in the list of applications in App Cleaner & Uninstaller, right-click it and select Reset Application.

How to remove GlobalProtect residual files

If you’ve already deleted the app manually and only want to remove the leftovers, search for them in the Remaining Files tab instead.

App Cleaner & Uninstaller ensures a deep, clean uninstall – ideal if you want to make sure nothing is left behind.