January 2, 2026

The ultimate guide to uninstalling Splashtop on Mac

Maksym Sushchuk
Written by
Experienced tech writer with 15 years of translating complex Mac concepts into clear, user-friendly content.

Maksym Sushchuk

Alex Holovchenko
Approved by
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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Splashtop does its job well. It lets you step into your Mac from afar or help someone on theirs, then… life moves on. Weeks later, you open Applications, spot Splashtop, and think, “That was handy, but I don’t need it anymore.”

If that is you, this guide is for a calm cleanup. I will walk you through removing Splashtop completely, not only the app icon but the small support files it leaves behind. By the end, your Mac will be as it was before the remote session, tidy and light.

A quicker solution to get rid of Splashtop

Before you start the manual removal of Splashtop, there’s a faster option. App Cleaner & Uninstaller by Nektony detects Splashtop Business/Personal and Splashtop Streamer along with their hidden agents, daemons, caches, and logs, then removes everything in just a couple of clicks.

If you want to skip quitting processes and digging through Library folders while still getting a complete uninstall, this tool delivers a clean result in seconds.

Things to know before removing Splashtop

Splashtop is a family of apps:

  • Splashtop Streamer lives on the Mac you connect to.
  • Splashtop Business/Personal is what you use to connect.

Note:

Since Splashtop Business is the functionally extended version of Splashtop Personal for commercial use, the instructions for deleting both of them are the same.

When an app provides remote access to your Mac, you want to make sure it does not leave any traces or leftovers after being removed. Hence, the questions on various forums like Apple Discussions and guides by service companies like Addigy on how to remove Splashtop.

It is easy to get confused because, actually, there are three ways to uninstall Splashtop. Here they all are side by side:

Method What you get Time
Native uninstaller Runs the app’s own remover. It takes care of the main app but usually leaves service files behind, so a short manual cleanup is still needed. ★★☆
(medium)
Finder (manual) Drag the app to the Trash, then hunt down support files in Library folders yourself. It can be thorough if you find everything, but it takes a bit of patience. ★☆☆
(slowest)
App Cleaner & Uninstaller Scans for the app and all related files, including agents and daemons, then removes them in one go. Clear and friendly for any skill level. ★★★
(fastest)

Proceed to the method you prefer to remove Splashtop below.

Note:

If your goal is to fix Splashtop by reinstalling it, check the Frequently Asked Questions at the very end of this article first. Some known issues have quick fixes that do not require a full uninstall.

How to uninstall Splashtop

The native uninstaller method

This route follows Splashtop’s own removal script. It is quick and tidy for the main app, and we’ll finish with a short manual check for one known leftover folder.

Note:

The method should work on macOS 10.13 or later (according to the installer’s note).

First, let’s uninstall the app properly.

  1. Quit Splashtop
    In the Dock, right-click the Splashtop icon and choose Quit.
  2. Open the original installer (.dmg)

    Download the official installer if you don’t have it.

    • If you have Splashtop Business, click here to get it.
    • If you have Splashtop Personal, download the installer via this link.
    Double-click the downloaded .dmg file to mount it.
  3. Run the built-in uninstaller
    In the mounted window, double-click Uninstall Splashtop Business/Personal. the Splashtop Installer DMG opened
  4. Confirm any prompts and enter your administrator password when asked.
    Wait for the uninstaller to complete.
  5. Empty the Trash
    In Finder, choose Finder → Empty Trash…, then confirm.
  6. Restart your Mac
There’s one more file left. It’s called
com.splashtop.ScriptEditor.Uninstall-Splashtop-Business

Copy

.
However, since it is located in
/private/var/folders

Copy

, we can remove it by simply restarting the Mac. This is a folder for storing temporary files and caches for macOS and apps.

The manual uninstallation method via Finder

If you prefer a hands-on cleanup, this path gives you full control. We will quit running processes, remove the app, then clear leftover files from your Library folder.

1. Quit Splashtop processes

  1. Open Activity Monitor (Spotlight → type “Activity Monitor”).
  2. In the search field, type Splashtop.
  3. Select each matching process individually and click the Stop button (×).

    Note:

    If you see a » menu instead of the stop icon, click it to find the Stop button.

    Splashtop Business processes in Activity Monitor
  4. Close Activity Monitor.

2. Remove the app from Applications

  1. Open Finder → Applications.
  2. Find your Splashtop Business/Personal app.
  3. Right-click and choose Move to Trash.
The Splashtop Business app in the Applications folder

3. Remove leftovers from your user Library

You will use the “Go to Folder” dialog and targeted search so you do not miss hidden support files.

  1. In Finder, press Shift + Command + G and type in
    ~/Library

    Copy

    . Then hit Enter to open this folder. the Go to Folder interface of Finder
  2. In the top-right search field, type
    com.splashtop

    Copy

    . (You can click Name and choose Name contains for the most precise results.)
  3. Select found items, right-click, and Move to Trash.

4. Empty the Trash and restart your Mac

A restart clears the rest of the temporary files and folders Splashtop may have generated during this session.

Note:

If manual searches in Finder feel tedious, try Funter by Nektony to find all files by keyword (for example, splashtop) across visible and hidden locations, then remove them in one go.

How to uninstall Splashtop Streamer

The native uninstaller method

This guide follows Splashtop Streamer’s own removal script. It takes care of the main service, and we will finish with a quick sweep for a few known leftovers.

Note:

The method should work on macOS 10.13 or later (according to the installer’s note).

Step 1: Execute the uninstallation script from Splashtop

  1. Quit Splashtop Streamer
    • In the menu bar, click the Splashtop Streamer icon and choose Quit.
    • Open Activity Monitor (In Spotlight, type “Activity Monitor” to find it) and search for Splashtop. If you see Splashtop Streamer, click Stop.
  2. Open the original installer (.dmg)
    Download the installer for Splashtop Streamer Personal via this official link if you don’t have it. (And here’s the link for Splashtop Business users.)
    In Finder, go to Downloads or the folder where you saved the installer.
    Double-click the Splashtop Streamer .dmg to mount it.
  3. Run the built-in uninstaller
    In the mounted window, double-click Uninstall Splashtop Streamer.
    Confirm prompts and enter your administrator password if asked. Wait for the script to finish. the Splashtop Streamer Installer DMG opened
  4. Empty the Trash
    In Finder, choose Finder → Empty Trash… and confirm.
  5. Restart your Mac
    A short restart removes any temporary files.

Step 2: Manually remove known Splashtop Streamer leftovers

On some systems, the uninstaller leaves a few small folders and logs. You can remove them safely.

For that, you will need to press Shift + Command + G – this will open the Go to Folder dialog – enter the location below and search for the mentioned files. If you find any, move them to Trash.

Location to look in Files to search for and remove
~/Library/HTTPStorages

Copy

com.splashtop.stb.macosx
~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports

Copy

Splashtop Streamer-*.ips
(* means you need to remove all files that start with “Splashtop Streamer-” and have the “ips” extension)
~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter

Copy

Splashtop Streamer_*.plist
(* means you need to remove all files that start with “Splashtop Streamer_” and have the “plist” extension)

Then, restart the Mac and empty your Trash.

The manual removal method (via Finder)

This is the hands-on route. We will stop Streamer processes, remove the app, then sweep Library folders for leftovers so nothing keeps running in the background.

1. Quit Splashtop processes

  1. Open Activity Monitor (In Spotlight, type “Activity Monitor”).
  2. In the search field, type
    Splashtop

    Copy

    .
  3. Select any matches (for example, Splashtop Streamer) and click Stop. Confirm Quit or Force Quit if needed.
Splashtop Streamer processes in Activity Monitor

2. Remove the app from Applications

  1. Open Finder → Applications.
  2. Find Splashtop Streamer.
  3. Right-click → Move to Trash.
The Splashtop Streamer app in the Applications folder

3. Remove leftovers in your user Library

Here, you’ll need to check only one location for Splashtop leftovers.

For that, in Finder, press Shift + Command + G – this will open the Go to Folder dialog – and enter
~/Library

Copy

.
Then, search for
com.splashtop

Copy

. If you find any files, move them to Trash.
Splashtop-related leftovers in the user's Library folder

4. Empty the Trash and restart your Mac

A restart removes any temporary files in folders like
/private/var/folders

Copy

and finalizes uninstallation.

The quickest way to uninstall Splashtop and Splashtop Streamer (with App Cleaner & Uninstaller)

This is the fastest, simplest route. The app finds Splashtop and all its related files (caches, preferences, launch agents, and daemons) and removes them in one go.

Before you start:

  • Quit Splashtop Business/Splashtop Streamer if it is running.
  • Download App Cleaner & Uninstaller by Nektony if you haven’t yet.

Now, let’s proceed with the removal.

  1. Open App Cleaner & Uninstaller.
  2. Find Splashtop.
    Type Splashtop into the search field or scroll the Applications list. Select the Splashtop app you want to uninstall (or, if you toggle the Expert mode, you can select all Splashtop apps you have installed to remove them all at once).
  3. Click Uninstall.
    App Cleaner & Uninstaller finds the app and all its associated files automatically. Splashtop Streamer app in App Cleaner & Uninstaller
  4. Review & confirm.
    In the Review window, click Remove.
    If prompted, confirm closing running processes and enter your administrator password.
    Then, your Splashtop app will be removed in a matter of seconds. Splashtop removal confirmation window in App Cleaner & Uninstaller
  5. Empty the Trash and restart your Mac.
    This clears any temporary files and finalizes removal.

If you have already deleted your Streamer app

No worries! In this case, proceed to the Remaining Files tab in App Cleaner & Uninstaller and find Streamer leftovers there. Then, select them and click Remove. That’s it!

Splashtop leftovers detected by App Cleaner & Uninstaller

Final note

Apps that enable remote control, like Splashtop, plug into the system at many points to work securely. That depth leaves behind extra files and services tucked into Library folders and temporary paths. You can hunt them down one by one, but for most people, the effort is not worth it.

App Cleaner & Uninstaller by Nektony keeps a curated database of leftovers for hundreds of Mac apps, including Splashtop. It spots related agents, daemons, caches, and preferences in a single scan and removes them altogether. If you care enough about a tidy Mac to be reading this section, you will likely appreciate using it to clean other apps and their remnants.

Frequently asked questions

Will uninstalling Splashtop delete my data or settings?

No. Uninstalling removes the app and its local support files on your Mac, but your Splashtop account, remote computer list, and any files you already transferred remain intact; if you reinstall later, you will sign in and set permissions again.

What happens if I leave Splashtop leftover files on my Mac?

Usually, nothing serious. Most leftovers are small caches, logs, or preferences. The only nuisance can be a login item or launch agent that tries to start a helper. If you want a clean slate, remove leftovers manually or use App Cleaner & Uninstaller to sweep them in one pass.

Is Splashtop safe from hackers?

It is as safe as your configuration. Use a strong unique password, turn on two-factor authentication, keep macOS and Splashtop updated, avoid exposing ports, allow Streamer in your firewall, and regularly sign out devices you no longer use.

I cannot connect, or I see a black screen. What should I try first?

Try the following solutions:

  1. Confirm Streamer has Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions in System Settings.
  2. Verify Streamer is running and signed in.
  3. Update both apps, then test with hardware acceleration off.
  4. Finally, rule out sleep or FileVault at boot, since a sleeping or locked Mac will not show the desktop.

Splashtop does not see my Mac or shows it offline. How do I fix that?

Follow the next steps:

  1. Open Streamer.
  2. Make sure it is linked to the correct account.
  3. Allow Streamer in macOS Firewall or any third-party firewall like Little Snitch or LuLu.
  4. Keep the Mac awake on power and enable wake for network access so it can be reached.

With Splashtop, CPU usage is high, and the Mac gets hot during a session. Any tips?

Lower the viewer’s frame rate or quality, toggle hardware acceleration in Streamer to see which path is lighter on your machine, avoid 4K full-screen sessions when possible, and update to the latest Streamer and viewer builds.

After a macOS update, Splashtop lost access to the screen. What changed?

Major updates can reset privacy permissions. In your macOS’ System Settings, re-enable Splashtop Streamer in Privacy & Security for Accessibility and Screen Recording, then relaunch Streamer and reconnect.

Audio is unstable, or there is no sound. How do I restore it?

Switch your output device in Audio MIDI Setup back to speakers or headphones, update Splashtop so the virtual audio component matches your macOS version, and temporarily disable other virtual audio tools like Loopback, BlackHole, or iShowU to check for conflicts.

The Mac sleeps or locks, and then I cannot reconnect. What should I change?

Try the following solutions:

  1. On power, set the display and computer to stay awake longer and enable wake for network access.
  2. In Streamer, allow connection at the login screen if you need pre-login access.
  3. If you have FileVault on, you must unlock locally after a reboot before remote viewing works.

Splashtop Streamer shows errors at login or keeps starting after uninstall. How do I stop it?

Check
/Library/LaunchAgents

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and
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Copy

for files named like
com.splashtop.streamer.*.plist

Copy

and remove them if Splashtop is no longer installed. If a helper keeps respawning, unload the matching launch item, delete the plist file, then restart to clear any ghost process.
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