Uninstall Adobe Creative Cloud from Mac completely

Want to know how to delete Creative Cloud from Mac? If you’ve already tried to remove the app from your device only to discover that dragging it to the Trash does nothing, this 2026 guide covers it all. From a quick all-in-one removal method to a more in-depth manual option. Let’s get started.

The essential pre-uninstallation checklist: How to delete Adobe Creative Cloud from Mac

Before we jump into how to delete Creative Cloud from Mac, there are a couple of things you need to know and do before you can remove it. That’s why I've put together this quick pre-uninstallation checklist. Make sure you complete these steps first.

1. Quit Adobe apps and services: Save your work, then quit any Adobe apps, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or Premiere. You cannot remove Creative Cloud Desktop while any Adobe app remains installed. So, Adobe Apps first, then quit Creative Cloud from your top menu bar.

2. Sync your stuff: If you use Creative Cloud Files, Libraries, Type, or Fonts, open Creative Cloud and let sync finish. Export anything you need from Libraries. This avoids any panic later.

3. Admin rights: Check you’re an administrator: System Settings > Users & Groups. Look for “Admin” under your name.

OK, once you’ve double-checked these items, it’s time to move on. As always, there are a couple of ways to remove this Desktop app; I’ve included all the ways that work in 2026, but of course, it comes down to personal preference.

Method one: Delete Creative Cloud from Mac: The one-click clean sweep

The fastest way to safely and fully remove the Creative Cloud Desktop app is to use an uninstaller that knows where Adobe hides its helpers. I personally use CleanMyMac because its Applications feature pulls every Adobe app, helper, and launch agent into one list by Vendor, so you don’t go hunting through Library folders. Here’s how it works:

1. Get your free CleanMyMac trial — you can test it for seven days free.

2. Open and click Applications > Scan.

3. Select Manage My Applications.

4. Find the app in the list and click Uninstall.

That’s it, no hunting around for leftovers, or wondering why the app icon is still sitting in your menu bar, this method cleans everything up in one quick go.

Method 2: The manual Adobe way

If you prefer manual control, then yes, you can delete Creative Cloud from Mac without a third-party tool, but it does require a little patience. Let’s take a look.

Step one: Remove Adobe apps from inside Creative Cloud

1. Open Creative Cloud Desktop.

2. Go to Apps > Installed.

3. For each app you want to remove, click … > Uninstall.

4. Repeat until no Adobe apps are left.

Step two: Remove Creative Cloud Desktop

1. Go to Applications > Adobe Creative Cloud > Uninstall Adobe Creative Cloud.

2. Run the uninstaller.

If you don’t see it, Adobe provides a small Creative Cloud Uninstaller ZIP on their site. Download, run, confirm.

If it refuses to uninstall

• You might be signed out. Sign in, then try again.

• Or a background service is stuck. See the troubleshooting section below in the article to try to figure out your specific issue.

Hunting the leftovers: The surgical cleanup

Adobe’s own uninstaller usually leaves behind orphan folders and launch entries, which just hang around on your Mac, consuming space. They’re not in the most obvious places, but the good news is, you can remove them manually. Here’s how:

1. Enter these locations into Finder > Go >  Go To Folder:
   
   

   ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/ App support

   ~/Library/Caches/Adobe/ Large caches

   ~/Library/Preferences/com.adobe

   ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.adobe

   /Library/Application Support/Adobe/ System-wide support

   /Library/LaunchAgents/com.adobe.

   /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.adobe

    

2. Delete files found in these locations and empty your trash.

I have to say, be careful when removing files inside your Library folders; only delete what you know is safe to remove. Deleting the wrong thing can cause system errors.

Safer route if you ever drag things to the Trash

1. Open CleanMyMac > Applications > Scan > Manage My Applications > Leftovers.

2. It scans for support files from apps you already deleted and lists them clearly. Select Adobe remnants and remove them. This avoids accidental deletion of unrelated system files when doing this manually.

Troubleshooting: Why won't my Creative Cloud uninstall?

If you keep hitting a wall, or none of the methods listed above have worked, it’s time to work through these troubleshooting tips.

1. Force-quit sticky processes

You might not realize that an Adobe background-related task is still running; this could be the reason you can’t uninstall, so here’s how to check:

1. Open Activity Monitor and search for the processes below. 

2. If you find any, click and press the X button. Then run your uninstall method again:

• CCXProcess

• CoreSync

• Adobe Desktop Service

2. Check the signed-out loop

Some uninstallers demand that you’re signed in to proceed. Launch Creative Cloud, sign in, then immediately run the Uninstall Creative Cloud tool from the manual method in this article.

3. Enterprise or work-managed Mac

If your Mac is enrolled in management, removal can be blocked by policy. You may need IT to release the license or push a removal script, or you might need to contact your account admin for support.

4. The order was wrong

If you have some Adobe apps still installed, you’ll likely run into Creative Cloud issues, so return to Creative Cloud and remove the remaining apps first. Then remove the desktop app.

5. Uninstaller missing issue

If Applications > Adobe Creative Cloud > Uninstall… isn’t there, use Adobe’s downloadable uninstaller from their website. Download, run, and confirm.

Aftercare and a clean slate

• Restart your Mac once everything’s removed.

• If you plan to reinstall, download a fresh Creative Cloud installer so you’re not bringing back old components.

So, that’s it. All the need-to-know info on how to delete Creative Cloud from Mac.