3 Ways to Completely Uninstall Ollama on Mac

If you've been exploring local AI tools, you may have installed Ollama, an open-source platform for running large language models like OpenAI GPT-OSS, DeepSeek-R1, Gemma3, and others directly on your Mac.

While it’s a useful tool for developers and tech enthusiasts, there may come a time when you no longer need it, or it starts eating up too much storage. That’s when you’ll want to uninstall Ollama on Mac properly.

In this guide, we’ll show you 3 different ways to uninstall Ollama on Mac, ranging from a quick and easy solution using a third-party app, to more manual and technical methods using Finder and Terminal.

How to Uninstall Ollama on Mac with BuhoCleaner (Quick & Easy)

If you're looking for the easiest and safest way to delete Ollama Mac files completely, your best option is using a dedicated Mac app uninstaller like BuhoCleaner.

BuhoCleaner is a lightweight macOS utility that can scan, locate, and delete apps along with all their associated files, including hidden folders, cached data, and large downloaded models.

Here's how to uninstall Ollama on Mac using BuhoCleaner:

1. Download and install BuhoCleaner.
2. Launch BuhoCleaner and navigate to the App Uninstall section.

   

3. Type Ollama in the search bar to locate the app and all its related files.
4. Select Ollama from the list. BuhoCleaner will automatically detect the app, its configuration files, and model data stored in hidden directories.

   

5. Click Remove to uninstall everything in one go.

Editor’s Tip: BuhoCleaner is the most beginner-friendly way to uninstall Ollama from your Mac and recover significant disk space, especially if you’ve downloaded multiple models.

How to Uninstall Ollama on Mac with Finder (Time-Consuming)

If you prefer to do things manually and don’t want to install a third-party tool, you can still delete Ollama from your Mac using Finder. However, this method takes longer and may leave behind hidden files if you're not careful.

Here's how:

1. Force quit Ollama by clicking the Apple icon > Force Quit > Ollama > Force Quit.

   

2. Open the Applications folder in Finder, locate Ollama, and drag it to the Trash.

   

3. Open the Go menu in Finder, then select the Go to Folder option.

4. Copy the following paths into the blank box, one at a time, and press Return.

   • ~/.ollama
   • /usr/local/bin
   • ~/Library/Application Support
   • ~/Library/Caches
   • ~/Library/HTTPStorages
   • ~/Library/WebKit

5. Look for files related to Ollama and move them to the Trash.
6. Empty your Trash.

Editor's Tip: This method is only effective if you know where all related files are stored. Unlike an app like BuhoCleaner, Finder won't automatically detect hidden files, which means you might miss some data unless you're very thorough.

How to Uninstall Ollama on Mac with Terminal (Complicated and Risky)

For advanced users, Terminal offers a way to delete Ollama from your Mac. This method provides full control but should be used with caution, as entering the wrong command can accidentally delete important files or even harm your system.

Here's how to uninstall Ollama on your Mac using Terminal:

1. Open Terminal using Spotlight Search.

2. Enter the following command and press Return to remove the Ollam app itself.

   sudo rm -rf /Applications/Ollama.app

3. Continue by running the command below to delete the CLI tool.

   sudo rm -f /usr/local/bin/ollama

4. Delete the models and config data with the following command:

   rm -rf ~/.ollama

5. Check for any leftover files with this command:

   mdfind -name "ollama"

6. Delete them if found.

Editor's Tip: This method is great for those who understand the command line. However, if you're not confident using Terminal, you might want to stick with BuhoCleaner or Finder instead.

These three methods can help you completely uninstall Ollama on your Mac. Simply choose the method that works best for you.

FAQs

1. Why does the “Ollama is still running” error appear when uninstalling Ollama?

   This error shows up because Ollama is still running in the background. Check your Mac’s menu bar to see if the app is active. If so, quit it from there. To fully close all processes related to Ollama, open Activity Monitor, search for any Ollama-related processes, select them, and click Quit to stop them. Once all background processes are closed, you can proceed with the uninstallation.

2. How do I delete an Ollama model on my Mac?

   It's easy to delete unwanted Ollama models. Open Finder, press Shift + Command + G to open the Go to Folder window, paste ~/.ollama into the search box, find and delete the model you no longer need.

3. Why is Ollama taking up so much space on my Mac?

   Ollama stores large language models locally, which can take up several gigabytes. These models are stored in the ~/.ollama folder and can accumulate over time if not deleted.

4. Can I reinstall Ollama after uninstalling it?

   Yes. You can always reinstall Ollama by visiting the official Ollama website and downloading the latest version.