?️ Article 12: Remove Cisco AnyConnect from macOS (Command Line)

????️ Article 12: Remove Cisco AnyConnect from macOS (Command Line)

???? Problem

• Cisco AnyConnect does not uninstall fully by dragging the app to Trash.
  
  

• Sometimes the official uninstaller is missing or broken.
  
  

• Leftover files keep showing popups, VPN services, or kernel extensions.
  
  

???? Use Terminal commands to remove it completely.

???? Part A: Quit & stop AnyConnect

1. Quit Cisco AnyConnect if running.
   
   

• In menu bar → click Cisco AnyConnect icon → Quit.
  
  

Stop running processes (in case they’re stuck):

sudo killall vpnagentd

sudo killall vpnui

???? Part B: Run Cisco’s official uninstall script (if available)

Cisco usually installs an uninstall tool at:

/opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/anyconnect_uninstall.sh

Run it:

sudo /opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/anyconnect_uninstall.sh

If this works, it removes most components. If not, continue with manual removal.

???? Part C: Manual Removal – Delete all AnyConnect files

1. Main Application

sudo rm -rf /Applications/Cisco

sudo rm -rf /Applications/Cisco/Cisco\ AnyConnect\ Secure\ Mobility\ Client.app

2. Agent & Support files

sudo rm -rf /opt/cisco

3. LaunchDaemons (startup services)

sudo rm -f /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.cisco.anyconnect.vpnagentd.plist

sudo rm -f /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.cisco.anyconnect.vpnagent_loader.plist

4. Preferences & Config

sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/com.cisco.anyconnect.plist

sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/com.cisco.anyconnect.vpn.plist

sudo rm -rf /Library/Logs/Cisco-VPN.log

5. System Extensions / Kernel Extensions (old versions)

sudo rm -rf /System/Library/Extensions/CiscoVPN.kext

sudo rm -rf /Library/Extensions/CiscoVPN.kext

6. User-specific settings

rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.cisco.anyconnect.plist

rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Cisco

???? Part D: Unload services (if still present)

sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.cisco.anyconnect.vpnagentd.plist 2>/dev/null

sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.cisco.anyconnect.vpnagent_loader.plist 2>/dev/null

???? Part E: Reboot & Verify

1. Restart your Mac.
   
   

2. Check if menu bar icon is gone.
   
   

3. Verify with:
   
   

ps aux | grep vpn

No vpnagentd or vpnui should be running.

???? Part F: Common Issues

• Still seeing VPN popups?
  
  

  • Remove leftover configs in /opt/cisco/.
    
    

• App icon still visible in Launchpad?
  
  

Clear caches:

sudo rm -rf /private/var/db/BootCaches/*

• Profile reinstall later fails?
  
  

  • Ensure /opt/cisco/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.cisco.* are completely gone.
    
    

General Hints ????

• Always use Cisco’s uninstall script if present (anyconnect_uninstall.sh).
  
  

• For enterprise Macs with MDM, re-provisioning may reinstall AnyConnect automatically.
  
  

• If kernel extensions cause boot errors, boot into Recovery → Utilities → Terminal and delete CiscoVPN.kext.
  
  

• Keep in mind: If your company enforces it, the app may re-install on next MDM sync.
  
  

✅ Cisco AnyConnect is now fully removed from macOS using Terminal.