How to Uninstall Google Chrome and Safely Move Your Data

ByJim Miller

Even after years of development and updates, the Google Chrome browser is still infamous for its resource-hungry behavior. If you are tired of dealing with its performance issues and are looking for an alternative, here's a guide on how to export your browser data and how to uninstall Google Chrome correctly on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Things to Do Before Uninstalling Google Chrome

Before you uninstall Google Chrome, it's important to export any essential data such as browsing history, bookmarks, and login details. Additionally, you should delete cache, cookies, and browsing history to leave no trace whatsoever.

Clear Google Chrome Cache on Desktop

To clear the Chrome cache on both Windows and Mac, follow these steps:

  1. Open Google Chrome on Windows or Mac.
  2. Click on the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.
  3. Go to More Tools and select Clear Browsing Data.
  4. Move to the Advanced tab.
  5. Select the type of data you want to remove and click on Clear Data at the bottom.

Now let's move on to clearing the cache on Android.

Clear Google Chrome Cache on Android

To delete collected cache data from the Google Chrome app on Android, follow these steps:

  1. Long-press on the Google Chrome app icon and go to the app info menu.
  2. Go to Storage & Cache.
  3. Tap on Clear cache from the following menu.

Export Google Chrome Passwords

To export your Google Chrome passwords, you should consider importing them to another browser or a dedicated password manager such as 1Password, LastPass, or Dashlane. You can find detailed instructions on how to export and import passwords to the Chrome browser in our dedicated post.

Export Google Chrome Bookmarks

Manually transferring bookmarks from Chrome to another browser can be time-consuming. Instead, you can follow our separate post on how to export bookmarks from Google Chrome to other Chromium browsers.

Now that you have taken the necessary steps before deleting the Chrome browser, let's proceed with the uninstallation process.

Uninstall Google Chrome on Mobile and Desktop

We'll start with desktop platforms and then move on to Google Chrome mobile apps.

Uninstall Google Chrome on Windows

On Windows, you can use the Settings app to modify, repair, and delete installed apps. Here's how to delete Google Chrome:

  1. Open the Settings app on Windows (Use Windows + I keys).
  2. Go to Apps > Apps & Features menu.
  3. Scroll down to Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu beside it.
  4. Select Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall Google Chrome from Windows.

While the default Windows uninstaller is good, it leaves behind several leftover files like registry entries and system files. To ensure a thorough uninstallation, you can use third-party uninstallers like Revo Uninstaller.

Delete Google Chrome on Mac

On Mac, you can rely on the Finder menu to uninstall Google Chrome or any installed app.

  1. Click on Finder from the Mac dock.
  2. Go to Applications from the left sidebar.
  3. Find Google Chrome from the list and right-click on it.
  4. Select Move to Trash.
  5. Once Google Chrome is moved from Applications to Trash, right-click on the Trash icon on Dock.
  6. Click on Empty Trash to permanently delete the app.

Disable Google Chrome on Android

While you can't completely remove Google Chrome from Android, you can disable it. Follow these steps:

  1. Long-press on the Google Chrome app icon and tap on the ‘i' button.
  2. From the app info menu, tap on Disable and confirm your decision.

You can always go to the Google Play Store and enable the app again in the future.

Delete Google Chrome on iPhone

To delete Google Chrome on iPhone, follow these steps:

  1. Long-press on the Google Chrome app icon from the home screen.
  2. Select Remove App from the context menu.
  3. Click on Delete App to remove Google Chrome from your home screen.

Google Chrome Alternatives

If you're deleting Google Chrome, you must have a good idea of which browser you're going to pick next. Here are a few alternatives to consider:

  • Microsoft Edge: Microsoft's default browser for Windows is chromium-based and works well with all Chrome extensions. It offers innovative features such as vertical tabs, sleep tabs, and Edge collections.
  • Brave Browser: If privacy is your concern, the Brave browser is a great alternative. It comes with built-in ad and tracker blockers and offers multiple search engines to choose from.
  • Safari: If you're in the Apple ecosystem, Safari is a good choice. It integrates well with other Apple apps, but the collection of add-ons is still limited compared to the Chrome store.

Wrapping Up

Uninstalling Google Chrome is a personal choice driven by various reasons such as privacy concerns, slower browsing experience, or compatibility issues. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can safely uninstall Google Chrome and move your browsing experience to an alternative browser. Remember to export any essential data before uninstalling and choose an alternative that best suits your needs.