Uninstall Honey on Mac: Full Removal Guide

If you want to remove the Honey browser extension and its associated files from your Mac, the short answer is: uninstall it from each browser you use, then delete the leftover support files in your Library folder. This guide walks you through the complete removal process, explains what Honey actually does, and addresses common issues like the extension reappearing or browser slowdowns.

What Is Honey and Why Remove It?

Honey is a browser extension owned by PayPal that automatically searches for and applies coupon codes at checkout on thousands of online stores. It also offers a rewards program called Honey Gold and a price-tracking feature called Droplist. While many users find it useful, others choose to remove it because they no longer shop online as much, they are concerned about the data the extension collects (Honey can see your browsing activity on supported sites), or they find the pop-up notifications intrusive. Some users also report that Honey slows down their browser or causes pages to load more slowly, though this varies by system and browser.

Removing Honey is straightforward, but it is not a single click. The extension is installed separately in each browser you use (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, etc.), and it leaves behind preference files and cached data in your macOS Library folder. To fully uninstall, you need to remove both the extension and those leftover files.

Before You Uninstall: What to Know

Before you start, understand what you are giving up. Honey’s coupon-finding feature is free and works on thousands of sites. If you have accumulated Honey Gold rewards, you will lose them when you remove the extension. If you have an active Droplist price alert, it will stop. There is no way to export your Honey Gold balance or wishlist, so if you care about those, consider using them up or turning off the extension instead of uninstalling it completely.

Also note that Honey is not malware. It is a legitimate, widely used extension. The removal process is safe, but you should always quit your browser before deleting files from the Library folder to avoid conflicts.

Step-by-Step: Remove Honey from Each Browser

The exact steps differ slightly by browser. Below are the instructions for the most common ones on macOS.

Safari

1. Open Safari.
2. In the menu bar, click Safari > Settings (or Preferences on older macOS).
3. Click the Extensions tab.
4. Find Honey in the list. Click it, then click Uninstall.
5. Confirm if asked.

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Go to Extensions > Manage Extensions (or type chrome://extensions in the address bar).
4. Find Honey, click Remove, and confirm.

Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click the puzzle-piece icon in the toolbar (or go to Add-ons and themes in the menu).
3. Select Extensions in the left sidebar.
4. Find Honey, click the three-dot menu next to it, and choose Remove.

Microsoft Edge and Brave

Both are Chromium-based, so the steps are nearly identical to Chrome:

1. Open the browser.
2. Click the three-dot menu (or the puzzle icon) and go to Extensions.
3. Find Honey, click Remove or the trash icon, and confirm.

If you use a less common browser, look for an “Extensions� or “Add-ons� section in its settings. The extension is always listed there.

Delete Leftover Honey Files from Your Mac

Even after removing the extension from your browsers, Honey may leave behind preference files, cached data, and possibly a login helper. These are usually small, but they can be removed for a clean uninstall.

1. Quit all browsers.
2. Open Finder.
3. Click Go in the menu bar, then Go to Folder (or press Shift + Command + G).
4. Type ~/Library and press Enter.
5. Look for folders named Honey or JoinHoney in any of these subfolders:
   • Application Support
   • Caches
   • Preferences (look for files like com.joinhoney.browser.plist)
   • WebKit (for Safari data)
   • Saved Application State
6. Drag any Honey-related files or folders to the Trash.
7. Empty the Trash.

If you don’t find anything, that’s fine. Not all installations leave files behind. The most common leftover is the com.joinhoney.browser.plist preference file, which is harmless but can be deleted.

Why Does Honey Keep Coming Back?

If you removed Honey but it reappears, it is almost always because you have multiple browsers installed and you only removed it from one. For example, if you use Safari and Chrome, you must uninstall it from both. Also, if you have a profile in Chrome (like a work profile and a personal profile), the extension may be installed in one profile but not the other. Check each profile’s extension list.

Another possibility is that you reinstalled it accidentally by clicking a “Get Honey� button on a website. If you see it again, just repeat the removal steps. There is no known mechanism that reinstalls Honey automatically without your action.

Common Issues After Uninstalling

Most users experience no issues after removing Honey. However, some report that their browser feels faster, which is likely due to the extension no longer loading on every page. If you notice any of the following, here is what to do:

• Browser still slow: Clear your browser cache and cookies, then restart. This removes any residual data.
• Honey pop-ups still appear: This is rare, but if you see Honey branding, check that you removed it from all browsers and profiles. Also check your Safari extensions again, as Safari sometimes keeps a disabled extension.
• Cannot log into Honey website: Uninstalling the extension does not delete your account. You can still log in at joinhoney.com and manage your account there.

Honey vs. Other Coupon Extensions

If you are removing Honey because you want a different coupon finder, there are several alternatives. The most popular ones are Capital One Shopping, Rakuten, and Coupert. Each works similarly: they automatically test coupon codes at checkout. The main differences are the stores they support, the rewards program (Rakuten gives cash back, Honey gives Honey Gold), and the user interface. None of them is objectively “better� – it depends on which stores you shop at and what rewards you prefer. You can have more than one installed, but they may conflict, so it’s usually best to pick one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling Honey delete my Honey account?

No. Your account and any Honey Gold balance are stored on Honey’s servers. Uninstalling the extension only removes it from your browser. You can log back in later and your rewards will still be there.

Can I just disable Honey instead of uninstalling?

Yes. In most browsers, you can toggle the extension off rather than removing it. This stops it from running but keeps it installed. This is a good option if you are unsure about removing it permanently.

Is Honey safe to keep installed?

Honey is a legitimate extension from PayPal. It does collect browsing data on supported sites to find coupons, which is how it works. If you are comfortable with that, it is safe to keep. If you are privacy-conscious, removing it is the better choice.

Will removing Honey affect my browser history or saved passwords?

No. Uninstalling an extension does not delete your browsing history, bookmarks, or saved passwords. It only removes the extension’s own data.

Why does Honey show up in my browser even after I uninstall it?

This usually means you have another browser or profile with Honey still installed. Check all browsers you use, including any that you rarely open. Also check your Safari extensions again, as Safari sometimes keeps a disabled extension.

Do I need to restart my Mac after uninstalling Honey?

No. A browser restart is enough. Restarting your Mac is not necessary unless you want to clear memory, but it won’t hurt.

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