How to uninstall or reset Origin on a Mac

There is no uninstaller app for EA’s Origin client so you must remove it manually, making sure you delete all residual files. If you just want to reset Origin skip the first step to trash the Origin app:

  • Open your Applications folder and drag the Origin app to the Trash, together with any shortcuts left behind in the Dock or on the Desktop.
  • Now make sure you’re in Finder, click on Go in the menu bar and hold down the Alt (Option) key. Your Library folder should now appear in the dropdown menu:
  • Click on the Library folder to open it then navigate to the following files and folders and move them to the Trash (only remove the files in red) if they are present:
    • Application Support > Origin
    • Caches > Origin
    • Caches > com.ea.Origin
    • Cookies > com.ea.Origin.binarycookies
    • LaunchAgents > com.ea.origin.WebHelper.plist
    • Preferences > com.ea.Origin.plist
    • Saved Application State > com.ea.ActivationUI.savedState
    • Saved Application State > com.ea.Origin.savedState
    • Saved Application State > com.ea.OriginER.savedState
  • Now open a Finder window and click on your Macintosh HD in the left hand side under Devices. If it’s not there click on Finder in the menu bar then Preferences. Select the Sidebar tab and make sure Hard Disks is ticked under Devices. You can also find it by entering Macintosh HD into Spotlight (or whatever the name of your HD is if you’ve changed it). Navigate to and trash the following files in red:
    • Library > Origin
    • Library > Application Support > Origin
    • Library > LaunchDaemons > com.ea.origin.ESHelper.plist
    • Library > PrivilegedHelperTools > com.ea.origin.ESHelper
  • Empty your Trash and restart your Mac. All traces of Origin should have now been removed from your Mac. You could securely empty the trash to make sure the files are really gone forever.
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34 thoughts on “How to uninstall or reset Origin on a Mac”

      1. My problem with this is that I have a MAC with SIERRA on it, and it doesn’t have some of
        Those folders you described. Thoughts?

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  2. So recently, I was updated my TS4 in Origin, but it froze on me, including my whole computer (a MacBook Pro). So I had to shut down my computer in the not-so-best way. When I reopened everything, Origin wouldn’t start. The icon itself is basically invisible, with the exception for the very tip of the orange flame. I tried to uninstall Origin, but it says that file(s) are missing and so I can’t uninstall it. What can I do?

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  3. Hi when i try to empty my trash it says com.ea.origin.plist is in use. I dont know what to do im trying to get rid of origin but i cant delete that one file thing please helo me if you know what to do .

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  8. I have uninstalled and reinstalled Origin, and TS3, and installed in order. I still get the “an unknown error has occurred”

    I don’t know what else to do.

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  9. Alright so maybe you can help me! I just did your whole process of uninstalling origin however my game still doesn’t work. Let me explain, My game is fine for everything until I get into game play. Or until I load the house/family to go into their gameplay. The game full on quits. I don’t know what to do at this point and tried calling EA support 3 times already and nothing had worked. I play on a mac but if you have any ideas on how to fix it send them my way pleaseee!

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      1. I found another site that you posted on about mac specific bug problems on mac not running on sierra 10.12 which is that one I have. You said to fix this issue by fixing the NVIDIA drivers manually. Should I try that? 🙂 I’m so determined to fix this game lol it’s been like this for months so thank you again for that help!

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  10. For sims 4 just the original one. I have a MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012) And I’m running Sierra. One EA tech told me it might be cause my laptop is too old, however it runs just like new still and I have other games that run perfectly fine, it’s only this one that isn’t :/

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  11. I can’t seem to find the Saved Application State > com.ea.Origin.savedState part. I have a MacBook AIR. Could you help me out?

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  13. here’s the thing, i try to open the origin application on my mac (it is the new one, 13 inch with touch bar) and when I click on it, it literally doesn’t do anything. It just sits there. I have tried opening just the Sims 4 application, but if I rapid click it, it comes up with a pop-up from something called ActivationUI and says

    We’re sorry, an error has occurred

    Origin is not installed, and is required to play your game. Please reinstall Origin.

    I have been playing Sims 4 for months now, and I have never had this problem before. It came up about a week ago, and I haven’t been able to get on the origin application since. I uninstalled and reinstalled it exactly as you instructed, but to no avail. It still has the same problem!

    Please help 😥

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  17. I tried this, but it didn’t work. It still says I need to “either free up 2.09 GB if space it select a different location.”

    *Update: the number of GB keeps jumping back and forth*

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