Citrix Receiver was once the go-to application for accessing virtual desktops and apps. However, it has now been replaced by Citrix Workspace, and many users find that Citrix Receiver lingers on their Mac, causing conflicts or simply taking up space. If you’re ready to clean up your system, you’re in the right place.
At MacRepair, we specialize in helping Mac users keep their systems clean, fast, and efficient. Follow our detailed, step-by-step guide below to properly uninstall Citrix Receiver from your Mac.
Step 1: Understand Why Manual Uninstallation is Necessary
Unlike simple drag-and-drop apps, Citrix Receiver installs multiple components across your system — including configuration files, launch agents, and support files. A simple drag to the Trash isn’t enough to fully remove it.
Step 2: Backup Important Data
Before making changes to your system, it’s always smart to back up your important files.
Here’s how:
- Use Time Machine to create a full system backup.
- Alternatively, manually back up documents and files to an external drive or cloud storage.
Step 3: Check If Citrix Receiver is Currently Running
To safely uninstall Citrix Receiver, you must ensure it’s not running in the background.
To check and quit Citrix Receiver:
- Click on the Apple Menu > Force Quit.
- Look for Citrix Receiver (or Citrix Workspace, if installed) in the list.
- If found, select it and click Force Quit.
Alternatively:
- Open Activity Monitor (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor).
- Search for any Citrix-related processes and Quit them.
Step 4: Use the Citrix Receiver Uninstaller (If Available)
Older versions of Citrix Receiver come with a built-in uninstaller.
Steps to Use the Uninstaller:
- Open Finder.
- Go to the Applications folder.
- Locate the Citrix Receiver folder.
- Find and open Uninstall Citrix Receiver.app.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete uninstallation.
If you don’t see the uninstaller: Don’t worry — you can proceed to manual removal!
Step 5: Manually Remove Remaining Citrix Files
Even after using the official uninstaller, leftover files might remain on your Mac. Here’s how to remove them:
Delete Application Support Files:
- Open Finder.
- In the menu bar, click Go > Go to Folder.
Type:
~/Library/Application Support/
- Look for any folders named Citrix or Receiver and move them to Trash.
Remove Preference Files:
- Again, click Go > Go to Folder.
Type:
~/Library/Preferences/
- Search for files like:
- com.citrix.receiver.nomas.plist
- com.citrix.receiver.icaclient.plist
- Move them to Trash.
Delete Launch Agents and Daemons:
Go to:
/Library/LaunchAgents/
/Library/LaunchDaemons/
- Look for Citrix-related files and move them to Trash.
Clear Caches:
Navigate to:
~/Library/Caches/
- Delete any Citrix-related cache folders.
Step 6: Restart Your Mac
After you’ve removed all files, restart your Mac to refresh your system and ensure that no background services linked to Citrix Receiver are still active.
Simple Restart:
- Click the Apple Menu > Restart.
Step 7: Confirm Full Removal
To make sure no traces are left:
- Open Finder.
- Press Command + F to start a search.
- Set search parameters to look in This Mac.
- Search for keywords like “Citrix” or “Receiver.”
If you find remaining files:
- Carefully review them.
- If they’re obviously Citrix-related, move them to Trash.
Bonus Check:
- Go to System Settings > Profiles and check if there’s any Citrix configuration profile still installed.
- If found, delete the profile.
Step 8: Clean Your Trash
Don’t forget — files sitting in the Trash still occupy disk space.
To completely remove Citrix:
- Right-click on the Trash icon in the Dock.
- Click Empty Trash.
- Now that Citrix Receiver is gone, take a moment to optimize your Mac:
- Run Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility > First Aid) to check and repair your disk.
- Clear unnecessary startup items (System Settings > General > Login Items).
- Update your macOS to the latest version for the best security and performance.
Final Thoughts
Uninstalling Citrix Receiver from your Mac is a multi-step process, but by following the steps above carefully, you can ensure a clean, complete removal. Whether you’re switching to Citrix Workspace, another remote desktop solution, or just tidying up your Mac, removing old software is crucial for maintaining top performance.
If the manual process feels too complicated — don’t risk damaging important files. Trust the professionals at MacRepair to handle it safely and quickly for you!
Need Help Removing Citrix Receiver or Optimizing Your Mac? Visit Us – MacRepair Store!
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