How to Completely Uninstall Anaconda from macOS

If you’ve installed Anaconda on your Mac and want to completely remove it, including hidden files and folders in system locations like /opt, this guide walks you through the Finder-based method—no Terminal expertise required (unless you want to go deeper).

Step 1: Quit All Anaconda Applications

Before removing anything, make sure no Anaconda programs are running. Close:

• Anaconda Navigator

• Jupyter Notebook

• Spyder

Any Terminal windows using Anaconda’s environment

Step 2: Remove Anaconda from Your User Folder

Open Finder and go to your home directory:

Macintosh HD > Users > [your username]
Locate the anaconda3 or anaconda folder and delete it.

Step 3: Delete Anaconda from Applications

In Finder, go to Applications

Delete any app related to Anaconda, such as:

• Anaconda-Navigator.app
• Spyder.app
• Jupyter Notebook.app (if any)

Step 4: Remove Hidden Anaconda Files

To reveal hidden files:

In Finder, press Cmd + Shift + .

Then go to your home folder (~/) and delete these folders if they exist:

.anaconda
.conda
.condarc
.continuum

Step 5: Remove Anaconda from /opt (System Folder)

Some installations place Anaconda in the /opt directory.

In Finder, click Go > Go to Folder (or press Cmd + Shift + G)

Type:

/opt

Look for folders like:

• anaconda3
• anaconda

Drag them to the Trash

Enter your admin password if prompted

Tip:

This folder may be hidden from Spotlight or search, so accessing it directly is best.

🧹 Step 6: Clean Up Shell Configuration Files

When Anaconda is installed, it adds some initialization code to your shell profile.

Option A: Using Terminal (for those comfortable with it) Open Terminal and run:

nano ~/.zshrc   # If you use Zsh
# or
nano ~/.bash_profile   # If you use Bash

Look for lines like:

# >>> conda initialize >>>
__conda_setup="$('/opt/anaconda3/bin/conda' 'shell.zsh' ..."
...
# <<< conda initialize <<<

Delete that entire block, then save (Ctrl + X, then Y, then Enter).

To apply the changes:

source ~/.zshrc
# or
source ~/.bash_profile

🧺 Step 7: Empty the Trash

After you've deleted all Anaconda-related files and folders, empty the Trash to free up space and finish the cleanup.

✅ Summary: What You’ve Removed

🎉 You're Done!

Your system is now clean of Anaconda. If you ever decide to reinstall it, you can get the latest version from the official site: https://www.anaconda.com