Uninstall Wipr 1

[Wando64]

I am planning to upgrade to Wipr 2 but, as recommended, I would like to uninstall Wipr 1 before I do so.
Is there any particular procedure for uninstalling an Ad Blocker, or should I just proceed as I do for every other app? (i.e. move it to the trash, then remove any references from the Library).
If you are guessing the answer, pease say so. Thanks.

 

[Fishrrman]

When I need to "get rid of" an app, I use the free "AppCleaner".
Get it here:

AppCleaner

Then, do this:
1. Open AppCleaner
2. Open your Applications folder (in the finder)
3. Grab the app you want to delete, and "drag and drop" it into AppCleaner's window.
4. AppCleaner will "look around" and gather up all the files related to the app.
5. If any are "unchecked", put a check into them.
6. Click the "remove" button, and they're ALL moved to the trash.
7. Close AppCleaner and empty the trash.
8. Gone!

I'm guessing there might be a few applications that AppCleaner can't "clean out" (perhaps Adobe stuff, Microsoft stuff, etc.). Those software publishers usually make available a standalone "uninstall" utility to get rid of them.

 

[foo2]

Sorry, but it's just absurd you need an app to uninstall an app on the Mac. I'm not buying something just to uninstall this. There has to be a better way.

 

[foo2]

And...there IS a better way:
wipr-and-safari-issue-on-latest-catalina.2221982

 

[Fishrrman]

"Sorry, but it's just absurd you need an app to uninstall an app on the Mac. I'm not buying something just to uninstall this."

The small utility (AppCleaner) that I recommended is FREE.

The REASON I posted about it is that there are "ancillary files" that applications install here-and-there that often get overlooked when you delete an app.

AppCleaner can find, list and remove most of them. Very easily.

If you are unwilling to try it, then... don't. Your choice.
Have a nice day.

 

[doogm]

Sorry, but it's just absurd you need an app to uninstall an app on the Mac. I'm not buying something just to uninstall this. There has to be a better way.

In addition to AppCleaner being a free app, you can simply drag the Wipr app to the trash. I am pretty sure that Wipr2 uses the same ~/library folder locations as Wipr did (though I haven't checked for sure), so not removing them isn't going to create "cruft" in your library folder, but if you really want to delete an app and all of its support files and do it quickly, and the app itself doesn't have an uninstall feature itself (some do, though App Store apps as far as I know never do), AppCleaner is great.

 

[foo2]

In addition to AppCleaner being a free app, you can simply drag the Wipr app to the trash. I am pretty sure that Wipr2 uses the same ~/library folder locations as Wipr did (though I haven't checked for sure), so not removing them isn't going to create "cruft" in your library folder, but if you really want to delete an app and all of its support files and do it quickly, and the app itself doesn't have an uninstall feature itself (some do, though App Store apps as far as I know never do), AppCleaner is great.

Yes, I later discovered that one can just drag the Wipr app to the trash, move the Wipr2 app from the subfolder into the main /Applications directory, and then close and reopen Safari, click past the extensions not found error(s), and then everything just works.

But before all of that, when I was trying to click 'uninstall' within Safari's Extensions listings, it wasn't at all clear what to do.

TIL AppCleaner is free; thanks for that.

 

[Wando64]

In addition to AppCleaner being a free app, you can simply drag the Wipr app to the trash. I am pretty sure that Wipr2 uses the same ~/library folder locations as Wipr did (though I haven't checked for sure), so not removing them isn't going to create "cruft" in your library folder, but if you really want to delete an app and all of its support files and do it quickly, and the app itself doesn't have an uninstall feature itself (some do, though App Store apps as far as I know never do), AppCleaner is great.

Thank you.
So, the process for removing Wipr (or any other ad blocker app) is basically the same as removing any other app, right?

BTW, when I manually remove an app I always remove the relevant Library folders and references, but I will take a look at AppCleaner as well.

 

[Wando64]

When I need to "get rid of" an app, I use the free "AppCleaner".
Get it here:

AppCleaner

Then, do this:
1. Open AppCleaner
2. Open your Applications folder (in the finder)
3. Grab the app you want to delete, and "drag and drop" it into AppCleaner's window.
4. AppCleaner will "look around" and gather up all the files related to the app.
5. If any are "unchecked", put a check into them.
6. Click the "remove" button, and they're ALL moved to the trash.
7. Close AppCleaner and empty the trash.
8. Gone!

I'm guessing there might be a few applications that AppCleaner can't "clean out" (perhaps Adobe stuff, Microsoft stuff, etc.). Those software publishers usually make available a standalone "uninstall" utility to get rid of them.

Thank you. I appreciate your answer and I will look at AppCleaner as it sounds like it makes the process quicker.

However I was not asking how to remove “an app”, but whether there is a specific process to remove Wipr or any other ad blocker software.
I gather that the answer to that question is no, so thank you all for the help.

 

[foo2]

"Sorry, but it's just absurd you need an app to uninstall an app on the Mac. I'm not buying something just to uninstall this."

The small utility (AppCleaner) that I recommended is FREE.

The REASON I posted about it is that there are "ancillary files" that applications install here-and-there that often get overlooked when you delete an app.

AppCleaner can find, list and remove most of them. Very easily.

If you are unwilling to try it, then... don't. Your choice.
Have a nice day.

I didn't know it was free.

And yes, I think needing to find a third party app to remove an app is silly. Windows has a way to handle this package management task, and many Mac apps have a way to cleanly handle this too (but there's no centralized / systemic method in MacOS). Back when apps were simple this was a nonissue; now it's a maybe-issue, sometimes.

It was more than just the bits of breadcrumbs left around when an app is uninstalled; until I remembered the Wipr app in /Applications, I was focused on removing the Extensions in Safari, for which there appears to be no clear way to do so. But then, again, human error, the Wipr app exists; removing that resolved everything.

I see value in systemwide approaches. Brew, for an example, can easily install and uninstall apps (via command line, even!). While yes, it's third party too, it does give extensive management tools for the thousands of apps one can install with it - ie, centralization.

Today I learned.

 

[Sully]

With DNS ad blocking on my router and/or my VPN is Wipr adding anything at this point?

 

[foo2]

With DNS ad blocking on my router and/or my VPN is Wipr adding anything at this point?

What’s New in Wipr 2

kaylees.site

 

[Adora]

I don't like Wipr. I am testing the iOS and macOS Beta of Wipr2 since months and deleted it. Don't know if it stopped working because of the official release or I just didn't want it anymore.

There isn't anything you can configure, just activate several lists that has a number. And this "Extra" entension isn't doing much if you click on it.

If you want a Safari only adblocker 1Blocker is much better. But I use Adguard on my Mac and Adguard Pro on iOS because it's system-wide and even the free extension is available for all browsers and very good.

I wrote to the Wipr support what they have to offer that they are better then the others and only got the answer, that they are the best adblocker and the only one who can block YouTube ads, what is not true.

There is a completely free Adblocker for Safari called Crumblr what seems to have the same functionality as Wipr.

I have 1Blocker still for free in TestFlight too and use it in addition to Adguard.

For Adguard there is also a TestFlight beta where you can "purchase" the Pro features for free.

 

[galad]

Just move it to the trash, macOS will know how to do the rest.
Safari extensions, DriverKit, Camera plugins, etc… are all shipped inside apps so they can be sold on the App Store, and so all it takes to delete them is to remove the app.

 

[bogdanw]

Just move it to the trash, macOS will know how to do the rest.

macOS will not delete ~/Library/Containers/com.giorgiocalderolla.Wipr-Mac/ if you move the Wipr app to the trash. Old settings can sometimes cause problems for new versions of an app.

 

[galad]

Wipr2 stores the settings a different place, it's a different app with a different bundle identifier.

 

[Wando64]

Wipr2 stores the settings a different place, it's a different app with a different bundle identifier.

That's no reason to leave unnecessary Library's entries behind.

In any case, I have fully removed many apps from a Mac over the last 20 years.
My original question (that not many seem to have bothered to read fully) was about whether there is any special requirement for removal of an "ad blocker" type of app, due to their close integration with Safari and MacOS.
From some of the answers received here it would appear that the answer to that question is No.

I do appreciate all answers. I know they are all meaning to offer help.

 

[Sully]

What’s New in Wipr 2

kaylees.site

So, the answer is no?

I had already read that marketing site before I asked the question. I have Wipr installed right now but I can’t tell whether it’s doing anything beyond what Mullvad’s dns level level blocking is doing, or Little Snitch with block lists for that matter.

I’ve had Wipr since the app first launched. It’s a great inexpensive solution. I like it. But, I’m trying to cut down on unnecessary software.

 

[Weaselboy]

My original question (that not many seem to have bothered to read fully) was about whether there is any special requirement for removal of an "ad blocker" type of app, due to their close integration with Safari and MacOS.

The answer is no... just quit Safari and delete the app and the extension is gone.

 

[VigneshB]

I am planning to upgrade to Wipr 2 but, as recommended, I would like to uninstall Wipr 1 before I do so.
Is there any particular procedure for uninstalling an Ad Blocker, or should I just proceed as I do for every other app? (i.e. move it to the trash, then remove any references from the Library).
If you are guessing the answer, pease say so. Thanks.

Just the regular procedure of uninstalling will work ie moving it to the trash. There is no difference whatsoever whether it's a Safari extension or a regular app.

So, the answer is no?

I had already read that marketing site before I asked the question. I have Wipr installed right now but I can’t tell whether it’s doing anything beyond what Mullvad’s dns level level blocking is doing, or Little Snitch with block lists for that matter.

I’ve had Wipr since the app first launched. It’s a great inexpensive solution. I like it. But, I’m trying to cut down on unnecessary software.

DNS based ad blocking is a supplement. Not to be used as the sole ad blocking method(unless that is the only option available).
1. Cannot deal with first-party ads. For instance, you can’t block YouTube video ads because they are hosted on the same domain as legitimate videos.
2. No cosmetic filtering. With DNS blocking alone you may not have most of the ads, but you have rather ugly web pages with broken frames and ad placeholders.
3. Higher chance of breakage. For instance, some apps or websites may be broken due to blocked Google Analytics, and you can do nothing with that.

 

[Frankied22]

People who bought Wipr 1 have to pay again for Wipr 2. Disgusting.

 

[foo2]

People who bought Wipr 1 have to pay again for Wipr 2. Disgusting.

Why is that?

I also paid when I went from an i5 mini to a newer model. So what?

Did you get a discount when you went from a previous iPhone to a new iPhone 16 Pro?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

So, the answer is no?

I had already read that marketing site before I asked the question. I have Wipr installed right now but I can’t tell whether it’s doing anything beyond what Mullvad’s dns level level blocking is doing, or Little Snitch with block lists for that matter.

I’ve had Wipr since the app first launched. It’s a great inexpensive solution. I like it. But, I’m trying to cut down on unnecessary software.

I have a pretty extensive adblocker running on my network (Firewalla), but I still use Wipr. It does pick up a few things missed, and it cleans up the websites so there isn't a ton of weird blank spaces and such. I do take my devices off-network and off VPN, occasionally.

That said, I could do without it.

 

[Wando64]

People who bought Wipr 1 have to pay again for Wipr 2. Disgusting.

Disgusting… I’m telling you, disgusting.

Wipr was released in 2015, costed $1.99, and it still continue to be updated with the latest blocklist even after release of Wipr 2.
You might call it disgusting, but in the meantime people like me have been making regular voluntary tips/donations because it just feels wrong to use a regularly supported piece of software for 9 years after only paying $1.99

 

[Frankied22]

Disgusting… I’m telling you, disgusting.

Wipr was released in 2015, costed $1.99, and it still continue to be updated with the latest blocklist even after release of Wipr 2.
You might call it disgusting, but in the meantime people like me have been making regular voluntary tips/donations because it just feels wrong to use a regularly supported piece of software for 9 years after only paying $1.99

Yea or I could just use uBlock Origin for free, which is still the BEST blocker.