How do I remove the Google Updater from macOS?

Who hasn't experienced this: you delete Google Chrome in macOS and yet the annoying ‘Google Updater has added objects that can run in the background’ messages continue to appear. Even if you have disabled them in the settings ‘General -> Login objects -> Allow in background’, they are still active in the system.

The tip refers to macOS 17, but should also work with other versions. In general, you should be careful not to delete the wrong files. A backup is very helpful here.

I have been deleting MacOS programs for years using the free programme AppCleaner.

In this way, background services can be permanently removed:

Open a terminal and type the following command


There are two files here that belong to Google. If there are other files in the folder, they belong to other background services. Please do not delete them.


The two Google files will now be deleted:


If the service is still running and cannot be deleted, you will need to type 'sudo' in front of it and enter the login password.

There are two other directories that should be searched in the same way:


If there is still a 'google' file, delete it too.

Then close and re-open System Preferences. The 'Google Update' service should no longer appear in the list or notifications. If you want to be absolutely sure, you can simply restart your system.

This procedure usually works for all background services under MacOS.

Finally, we check that the following directory exists


If this is the case, please run the following uninstall script:


The directory is now gone, and with it the 'Google Update' background service.

Kind regards,
Frank