Problem
Your browser homepage shows content from “Genieo” and you wish to remove it. You may have installed this accidentally.
Manual Solution
Information sourced from http://www.thesafemac.com/arg-genieo/ last update: 3rd May 2014
This will require administrator access, so you will need to be logged in to an administrator account on your Mac. Also you will need to know how to find files that do not display in Spotlight, if you do not know how to do this please read: Locating Mac system files using paths.
Step 1
Make sure you fully quit the Genieo app.
Step 2
If you do not trash this file it may result in your computer being unable to boot up
Move the item below to the trash.
/private/etc/launchd.conf
If you have run the Genieo uninstaller you won’t find the launchd.conf file and it is fine to move on to the next step.
Step 3
Move the following items to the trash.
Some of the files, including the Genieo application may not be present. Trash the files you can find.
/Applications/Genieo
/Applications/Uninstall Genieo
/Applications/Uninstall IM Completer.app
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.plist
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client.plist
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.engine.plist
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.update.plist
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client.plist
~/Library/Application Support/com.genieoinnovation.Installer/
~/Library/Application Support/Genieo/
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.download.plist
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.update.plist
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client
/usr/lib/libgenkit.dylib
/usr/lib/libgenkitsa.dylib
/usr/lib/libimckit.dylib
/usr/lib/libimckitsa.dylib
Step 4
You must now restart your computer.
Once the computer reboots, move the below item to the trash, if this file does not exist carry on to step 5.
/Library/Frameworks/GenieoExtra.framework
You can now empty the trash to permanently delete the files.
Step 5
Delete any browser extensions that may be installed.
Safari
Open “Preferences” from the Safari menu, then click the Extensions icon, near the right side of the row of icons along the top of the window.
Select the unwanted extension and click “uninstall”, repeat this step as required.
Google Chrome
Open “Preferences” from the Chrome menu, then click the Extensions on the list on the left side of the window.
Click on the trash can/rubbish bin of the unwanted extension, repeat this step as required.
Firefox
Click Add-ons from the Tools menu, then look at both the Extensions and Plugins lists in the window that opens.
Click “Remove” for the unwanted Extension, repeat this step as required.
Automatic Solution(in testing)
You can now download TSMART(The Safe Mac Adware Removal Tool) from http://www.thesafemac.com/art/.
This AppleScript has been created to remove the following adware:
ChatZum
ClickAgent
Conduit
Downlite
FkCodec
Genieo
GoPhoto
Jollywallet
Savekeep
Spigot
Yontoo
AppleScript last inspected by FixKB: 16th May 2014
You may need to restore your home page and search engine in your browser’s preferences.
WORKED GREAT ! ( my homepage is that of GOOGLE )
my computer is not compatible with the java version that genieo uses so it wont work for me, I just want to remove the stupid error message that pops up every time i start my computer!
The worst thing I ever put on my computer. I ended up just wiping the computer because every time I thought it was gone, a pop up would appear. HATE it. This is the only download I couldn’t get rid of on my Mac. Usually you just delete it and it’s gone. But this crap was a huge pain to remove.
App-Delete will totally remove any app and associated files.
Rick,
Thanks for this tip, I downloaded App-Delete and was able to get rid of Genieo The Awful.
Finn
where did you find this app?
App-delete solved everything so glad i installed it
How do you install Ap Delete?
Go to the Mac App Store
I AGREE with D.Mac!!! What a FRICKING SCAM as my computer is MEGA acting up now!!!!!!! Strange coincidence it started IMMEDIATELY after installing this CRAP that I’m having a problem removing & do NOT NOT NOT TRUST??????
I thought that it was a thing to get a certain game online that i wanted, and then i tried uninstalling it on my own… and then it was my homepage forever.. the searches were crap, and i always ended up using my google tab.. i love the way he explains!
whenever i get a problem on my mac again, i know where to look
Brett,I did not ask for Genieo, it has secretly forced himself when I downloaded and installed a video program. So Genieo Sucs! Even if it is the best in the world, I do not want it this way!
This removal tool worked perfectly and removed items I didn’t know I had, thanks again!!!!!
thanks a lot for the help here.
Phew! Thanks, appreciate your help!
IT WORKEEEDD FINALLY THANKKKS
I’ve been using Genieo for a while – would never think of deleting it from my Mac. It works like a charm! My message is this: read up about Genieo – try it before you deny it 🙂 It really works well guys 🙂
I hated it. Constant pop ups and when I thought I had finally deleted it, I would get another pop up. I finally had my Mac wiped to make sure it was gone for good. WHy would a company want to be considered a pain in the butt – like an ex-lover who just won’t get the hint???
.. now I’m stuck with the ‘ uninstall genieo’ icon. it won’t respond to anything I do.
Feel like dumping my mac.. accidentally downloading this crap was the worst mistake i ever made.
Can anyone help?
Brett – are you a troll?? Seriously. Genieo is the most annoying thing I’ve encountered on my poor Mac. Can’t wait to get rid of it!!!!
If Genieo is so great why do they require trojan horse techniques to proliferate their software? It is one step above a malicious virus. This is an unethical company with unethical business practices no more & no less. I have yet to be able to get it completely off my Mac.
Hello Steve, Thank you for commenting. Can you confirm if you have tried the solution today now that it has been updated?
This thing is a VIRUS! It took control of my system without my permission.
What do you do if the “My Personal Homepage” does not show up in the left column??
If it is not there then you can ignore that step and any others that come after it.
I cant uninstall it from the part where you have 2 go to the extensions
If it is not there then don’t worry, as you’ve done all you need to do.
it wont let me download and i cant find uninstaller
There is a download link in the article.This does not remove the Genieo interception of Google searches on Firefox.
These instructions apply for Safari. In your case, I would reset Firefox.
When option+clicking on the Firefox icon, Firefox has to be not running in order to get the Reset Firefox option. Also, it took a long time to reset – over 10 minutes – so don’t panic. But, finally, IT WORKED! No more genieo. THank you!!!
Can you please put a secreensot where “My presonal Homepage” is?
Pleaaaase because I couldn’t find it, can you clarify more? because I just uninstalled the Genieo and I still when I type anything in the search engine field it takes me to Genieo search.T^T
I have the same problem Genio downloaded via AIS ship tracker I used the Genio uninstall and dragged the remnants to the trash can and deleted,,,,My home page is facebook but if I type in any search the bloody genio red house appears on search bar and search is run through genio its doing my nut in,,,Please help anyone in simple A-Z steps
If you are using the Google search field on our browser it will take you to Google through a Genieo proxy. This compromises your privacy and slows down the search, so you certainly do not want this to happen.
If you have already uninstalled Genieo, then the redirect is happening because your browser still has a link to the Genieo proxy. There should be a little down arrow (triangular in shape) next to the logo on your search field. Select this to get a roll down dialogue menu from which you can see the links. You can change the default like and delete the links you will not use in the future.
FINALLY. After a month of trying to delete this pain in the A** spyware, this recommendation finally worked. THANK YOU!
Thank you, I had uninstalled all other aspects of the Genieo program, but the Genieo proxy in the Google browser… That was the finally straw that almost broke me, I can breathe a sigh of relief.
Thanks mega much!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you KB, thank you Benjamim, after few hours and a hard struggle I think I have removed the last bit of G….o. I did follow the little arrow and removed the proxy, thank you Benjamin, but the problem persisted and I did find a last bit of the “nasty” G in Safary > Preferences > Extensions (a extension called Omnibar 1.2) had a window : search engine and two options Default and G—-o, selected default and i think I am all clear
thank you all from sunny London
Sorry for this, but I’m not too expert in mac but I love it, and I need the help.T^T
I have attached a link to an image, so that you tell me whether this is the arrow that you meant or not.
http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/5747/thisx.png
And if you see the picture you will see that when I type anything in the field it appears like this “Genieo”
I’m pretty sure that is the arrow which Benjamin was referring to.
But there is no links inside it!
There is only the search history, clear search history, and the search engines options! X______X
Those are the links. There should also be an option to manage the links. It might be called “manage search engines” or “search engine options” or similar. This will enable you to remove and to add search engines.
That is the one.
So what should I do next? because I told you what I find in that dialog, there is no links!
I would try resetting Safari.
its not working!! every time i open a new tab in safari it always takes me straight to the genieo search. Ive changed my homepage back to goole and reset safari and nothings working! can you help?
From the screen shot you supplied, it is apparent that you have not uninstalled Genieo. Read the instructions above, and uninstall Genieo first, then restart your computer (often some residual cleaning up occurs in this step) and then reset your browser.
Thaaanks a lot to you and the writer, thanks Rossen for your patient and the time you spent with me, I just knew the problem, all what I needed was just restarting my mac, I did, and it disappear! Wow, magic hah! It was really annoying me, thank a lot again. Kind regards.
No problem, I have now added a restart as the last step.
Thanks! It worked perfectly.
love this im so happy i got my google back thank you
This morning I downloaded Genieo, the link was sent from a person I was receiving images from. All day my Mac has behaved badly and eventually the screen turned blue. I have been able to restart my computer, I searched the Net and downloaded the unistall software. Ran the unistall but did not complete the process from points 4 above before restarting my computer. Now i have a computer that just sits in the white screen doing nothing. Please help!!!!!!!
Try repairing disk errors.
from Safari menu go to Preferences then General tab, and click on the right side tab before Advanced and in homepage type http://www.apple.com and restart
thank you!!!
A decade of MAC use and this genieo program is the only infection – even their own uninstall program doesn’t work- NO response after multiple HELP pleads to email on Contact Us site—tell everyone how bad this program and company is– spread the word- warn friends!- tell your government too!
I know exactly how Genieo got onto my Mac: I tried to download a free font after I had changed Macs and had signed up to Creative Cloud, and some fonts I use simply disappeared from all fonts folders. The font was Windings, and when I downloaded it I got Genieo instead.
Be warned!
(I have yet to get rid of it, as it refused to be trashed, even though I was suspicious and didn’t install it.)
Thanks so much it worked great!! I was stressing out and thought that I would have to bring my iMac to the apple store. But thanks to this. It worked wounderful. Thank you do much:-)
awesome thanks!
Gracias, ya me tenía un poco desesperado ese virus de mierda.
Brilliant, I can’t thank you enough. Your instructions worked perfectly. Genieo had made my MacBook Pro crash and freeze and behave in a very peculiar fashion. Hopefully that’s all fixed now! Genieo is an absolute menace!
Thank you!!!
Thanks!!!
This steps really works great! thank you so much!!!
If your’re still getting intercepted by Genieo, then click the little arrow. Switch from Google to Yahoo or Bing and then switch back to your preferred browser. That should fix the problem.
now that worked! thanks. I thought I’d be stuck with genieo search engine forever
Thanks !
I didn’t know how to get rid of it.
Jurgen
Thanks so much it was driving me crazy.
I have safari. It said that I uninstalled successfully, but it still redirects me to genieo when I try to use my google search engine. Any ideas on a viable step 2?
Reset Safari.
I had a window to delete Geneio when I started my Mac G5 ppc and which then said ‘could not open Geneio as you don’t have Java v6), which I did have. Not a deleter but an opener in guess. I used “EasyFind” from DEVONTechnologies (free) and it found a tiny piece of software hiding in Home/Library/Safari that was not seen by AppDelete or using Spotlight. It took some time to find as I used their “Boolean+wildcards” and “Invisible Files” search prefs just to be sure. I don’t know where Geneio came from and I only had that one irritating file.
I dont have my personal homepage and the uninstall button in my extension… plss help i really need it so bad.
another thing, how to delete the’ genieo’ in my firefox and google chromes? PLS. HELP!!! I need proper explanation so that i can unstand it.!!!
THAAANK YOUUUU! Phew! This worked like magic.
THANK YOU!!! What a nightmare this program is. The kids accidentally installed this on my computer. What a pain to figure out what it is & how to get rid of it!
Thank you all for the instructions. GENIEO IS a NIGHTMARE!
Thanks for the tip. Genieo was a little annoying.
SUCCESS finally: I uninstalled it by Searching (control Find) for Genieo and trashing what came up. Emptied trash and now my browser doesn’t show it anymore. Originally I followed uninstall directions and restarted computer, but that didn’t work.
Oh, you will also have to change the Homepage in Preferences of browsers if it wasn’t done before you tried to uninstall Genieo.
thanks this is the best advice on removing this annoying spyware, just a quick question, is it wise for me to change all passwords or will the be ok, i do all my business & personnel banking on my Mac, & dont want to be hacked because of this spyware?
You can do but its not needed as this software is not known to be any form of spyware or malware. It just uses the cookies left on your machine by default to create a personalised page for your web browser.
It worked! Was so desperate about this i almost have to carry my mac back to supplier for help. Thank you!
I used the Uninstall Genieo to uninstall the application, however, now I cannot the Firefox header on my Macbook Pro. When I search for “Genieo” nothing appears — anywhere! I restarted my computer after the uninstall, but clearly something has not been removed because my app icons are not popping up from the deck as they usually do and although Firefox appears to be open and operating, I cannot access the Firefox preferences.
I would really appreciate some help with this. I want this removed IMMEDIATELY!
The only thing we can suggest is to try the steps in this post: https://fixkb.com/2012/10/how-to-run-single-user-mode-to-fix-start-up-issues.html and if all else fails it may have corrupted your OS X so a reinstall may be needed.
Hope that helps.
Previously, I reported on how (Mac Lion) I had removed the damn geneio default for searching. But highly pissed off I had written Geneio directly asking how to remove their “virus.” They replied:
Firefox preferences or cmd+coma key will open the relevant menu
or
http://eula.mindspark.com/reset-homepage-default-search-settings/
Thank you all the advices that were very helpful. Thank you.
I had Geneio installed and it after initially seeming fine, it appeared to cause not end of problems with my browsers (I use chrome mainly, and firefox sometimes). My macbook pro seemed to be slow and buggy too. I uninstalled Genieo and it was like a dose of antibiotics had rid my computer of all ailments – like a completely different machine. Thanks!
I accidentally tried to install this horrible program however it would not install because it requires a version of java that is not compatible with my os 10.5.8 the only way to get rid of it was to trash it. The un-installer would not run on my computer, in fact genieo was never installed. Now every time I turn on my computer this error message shows up stating “Cannot launch “Genieo” No compatible version of Java 1.6+ is available.” It wont go away! How do I get rid of this error message?
I’ve added a new uninstaller to the original post. Please try that.This worked… I couldn’t delete that damn application for nothing! Thank you soooooooo much!
The only reason why I wanted to uninstall Genieo was the small News Update window appearing on the right top corner of the screen. As I use my MacBook mainly for my research work, I am very annoyed by the contents of the News Update that are totally unrelated to my work or any of the items I searched on line. So I followed the instructions you’ve given and I believe I have successfully unistalled Genieo and reset the homepage of both Safari and Chrome. But this update window still appears. I finally decided to ignore it, then it disappears in a minute or so. But it comes back again and again. Please tell me how to stop the News Update window appearing. It is most annoying.
Try downloading and running this installer: http://download.genieocom/misc/Uninstall+Genieo.dmgThank you so much! It worked!
thanks much it worked…
You are the Bomb.com! Thank you so very much:)
Thank you Carl, very helpful guidance in removal of Genieo. Thank you for your contribution my friend 🙂
many thanks…i hate programs that insist too much!
To those who couldn’t delete it on Mac. I just dragged it to the trash and emptied the trash. Voila. I dont know about you though.
If this has helped to get rid of Genieo from my Mac, I am truly grateful. Thank you!
I don’t see a uninstall button in my extensions page 🙁
thnx it works soooooooooo welllll!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much for helping me unintall Genieo!! 🙂 🙂 xox
I think it worked…..thank you for helping….
From a “not so computer savvy person”
Thank You I hope it’s worked.
Thank you. I followed your directions and it was removed. Just horrid! Never downloaded something like this.
Worked for me too – thanks soooo much
THANK U!!!
Why won’t my Safari open. It says Safari quit unexpectedly every time. How do i fix this?
Just a shout out and a quick THANK YOU. FINALLY got this garbage off my mac thanks to these instructions! 🙂
thanks alt
It worked if you follow some of the instructions it works on chrome too!
after step 3, the uninstall program just froze… I’ve been waiting for it for like half an hour… will wait more because I really prefer to wait, cross my fingers and hope this thing gets out of my mac… apps like this make me want to be a hacker and get into the systems of whoever created this and shut it down completely so they can’t do anything like it anymore…
I realize this comment is 12 months behind the thread. The latest version of Genieo actually has an uninstall app. A local Mac search on “Genieo” on the All Files view in Finder located the file. It uninstalled the Genieo program. No further issues with popup messages.
BTW, I thought this was a good app for news junkies. But like most of the commenters here, I found it didn’t meet my needs.
Help! I thought I was downloading a program to count the actuations on a Canon camera and Genieo downloaded. Now I can not get rid of it. I will start by telling you I am not computer savvy. I tried the “Uninstall Genieo” that I found under applications on my hard drive (as described at the top of this page), that did not work. I tried the link provided by Carl Norton on March 11, 2013, this ask me to “Uninstal the Genieo extensions from the Safari, Firefox, and Chrome browsers (if you installed these extensions).” I do not know what that is telling me to do or how/where to look for these extensions? I did restart my computer after each attempt to delete Genieo.
What Genieo is doing to my computer, that I know of so far. It has changed my home page from Comcast to Google, but, before opening Google a screen that looks similar to Google (but is not) opens, for about 2-3 seconds, that has in the address box at the top of the page, “search.genieo.com/?v=smtsem”. The page quickly redirects to Google. If I hit the icon that should direct me to my home page, Comcast, it now directs me to Google. Yahoo and ebay seem to not be effected. (These are all icons I have added to the tool bar and folders at the top of Safari.)
Again, I not computer savvy, especially with Macs. (I used to have PCs (over 5 years ago) and know at least something about getting around in them.) Please provide some details, if you would. Thank you.
thank you so much – crap software I wish I didn’t touch
Thank you Jesus, the bing search engine blows
This software is malware and a Trojan Horse. The Un installer even makes things worse. get it off your computer with Virus Scan software.
the second message where you click OK is not coming up for me!!! help! i want this stuff gone!
Thank you!
Unreal. What a nightmare to delete crashed safari to the point it wouldn’t even load. Total pain to delete. Avoid this piece of crap!!!
Well, my grandson wanted to play a word game, thought this maybe ok for my imac 10.5.8, as my daughter has loads of aps on an ipad. Disaster, only Mac basicseems to be ok on safari and email. NO programs launch, they don’t even try. As soon as I click on them ‘application unexpectedly quit’ box comes up. This includes all microsoft – word, excel, powerpoint etc, plus CS2 photoshop illustrator in-design, and quark express. Oh mac also requested that I opened font ‘Marigold’ as the computer and my hard drive was requesting it. I did. This was before I realised what had happened. Does this application use that font? Turning it off does not make any difference.
Cannot disinstall, message comes up about java. Also noticed back-up hard drive old pics have been changed to text…….. What’s this all about. How can I get rid. does not disinstall. dragged application and disinstall box to folder on desktop. What crap I agree. This is the first time I HAVE EVER done this type of download on my computer, I have always been sooooooo careful not to. EVERYONE AVOID. Oh, and if someone can tell my how to pull out this ‘parasite’ with all it;s eggs. I would be grateful.
Hello Josie, This fix has now been updated. Please try the updated method. Hope this helps.
I have uninstalled genieo and restarted my computer, and gone into system preferences (where I can’t find it), and it still comes up! How do I get rid of this thing??? It’s too bad the developers chose to use such an invasive and pernicious protocol because this might have been an application I would have used from time to time. After this experience all I want is to get rid of it.
Hi… I’ve also got same issue & have uninstalled. Can’t make head or tale of the advice above! Pls help before I smash my laptop!!
Thanks anyway, but waiting for my previous post to be moderated I tried uninstalling again and it worked – thank f*ck for that 🙂
it took about 30 seconds to complete to everything. Thanks. I HATE Genio…
I used app-cleaner. It’s free. Just put the Genieo app symbol in the box which appears and click delete. It vanished immediately.
Thanks!!! It worked perfectly!!! I got rid of Genieo!!!!!
how do you do this for google chrome?
Hello Baarath, This fix has now been updated and includes steps for Safari, Google Chrome and Firefox. Hope this helps.
hey there. so i just cannot get Genieo to stop redirecting my internet searches in my Safari toolbar. I have it set to Google in Preferences and I have uninstalled the thing, cleared my extensions an cookies but I just can’t get rid of that re-direct. Any advice?
I have a Mac Air OSX 10.9.2
Hello Devin, The fix has now been updated. Please try the updated method and let us know how you get on.
I’ve tried and tried to get rid of Genieo off my Mac, and even un-installing it, it still appears as my main search engine on my navigation bar, although it doesn’t appear in my Applications folder any longer. I’m a writer and spend long hours on the computer, I need it off so I can continue to navigate with what I’m familiar with. I’ve been using Google forever, and I’ve even switched to Google Chrome.
Hello Laurie, This fix has now been updated. Please try the updated method and let us know how you get on.
Yay – finally it’s gone! Thanks so much 🙂
Merci Beaucoup de votre aide je ne sais pas comment vous remercier et jespère que le faite de vous le dire merci vous suffiras de loin. Merci mille fois !!!!
Thanks!!! I got rid of Genieo!!!!!
If Genieo was any good, the company would not need to ‘trick’ you into installing it — it’s malware.
Thank you so much for these instructions. I hate it when sneaky applications just add themselves to your computer!
Grrrr
The instructions here to use the company uninstaller are flawed : it doesn’t work properly & leaves hidden software behind.
Google for how to remove it fully. Thesafemac is a good start, or try Apple Support Communities.
Hello gbc,
We are aware that this fix has been outdated and have had contact with Thomas Reed(author of the fix on thesafemac.com linked at the top of this page), please be patient while we update this solution.
hi whenever i try to uninstall it says i need to put in my password to run it but i donot know what my password is and i am not reseting it because you have to put in your apple id and it could be a complete scam and they might use your account not taking the risk please help me
Hello Genieo sucks,
If you have not set a password for your user account then you just need to click “Ok” or press enter on the keyboard.
If you have set a password but then set your Mac to load your user account without needing the password, then you will need to enter the password that you set.
Russell : That’s good, well done.
But how do i delete the files? I tried to search them up in the hotspot, and i tried finder. It just doesent work 🙁 PLEASE HELP!!!
Hi! I tried to do this, but I’m kind of a newbie… When I search for the files in the hotspot/ finder, the files doesn’t appear. Do I do it wrong? Please help! Is there another program that might help me finding the files, and the delete them? 🙂
Hello Andrea, Please read https://fixkb.com/2014/04/locating-mac-system-files-using-paths.html hope this helps.
I’m so sorry, but I didn’t understand. I did what it told me to, but what do I do then? Some maps that had adobe, spotify and google in it’s name appeared, am I going to click on one of them?
Hi Andrea, My apologies I could have been a bit clearer with my reply. You will need to use the method from “Locating Mac system files using paths” with the file paths from “Remove Genieo(InstallMac) on Mac”.
So you will need to use the “Go to Folder” feature to find the first file in the “Remove Genieo(InstallMac) on Mac”.
example: The first file to find and remove is; /private/etc/launchd.conf
I hope this clarifies the situation.
Thank you, but it is normal that it uses many hours trying to find the first file? Sorry for som many questions 🙁
Hi Andrea, When you say it took many hours, did it find the file and were you able to delete it?
No, not yet 🙁
Hi Andrea, Any luck yet?
No, it’s still searching
Hello Andrea,
If the mac is searching then it sounds like you are still trying to use “Spotlight”, you must use the “Go to Folder” feature as described in: https://fixkb.com/2014/04/locating-mac-system-files-using-paths.html
The “Go to Folder feature is not a search tool it will open a finder window of the location that has been entered or it will state that the location does not exist.
But what am I going to do when I’ve done that? As i have already said, it just appears 4 different maps. They’re called:
– com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist
– com.facebook.videochat.andreadammen.plist
– com.google.keystone.agent.plist
– com.spotify.webhelper.plist
If that might help you understand. I know I’m such a newbie 😉
Hello Andrea,
Please read this very carefully.
You are seeing those items because you are using the EXAMPLE from; https://fixkb.com/2014/04/locating-mac-system-files-using-paths.html
Please follow these steps:
1. Highlight and copy the text below:
/private/etc/launchd.conf
2. Click on “Finder”.
3. Click “Go” on the “Menu Bar” and then click “Go to Folder”.
4. Paste the text into the “Go to Folder” text field and click “Go”.
You can now delete: launchd.conf
If you fail to find this file, pause here. You may proceed, at your own risk, but need to exercise caution. If you have run the Genieo uninstaller, this is normal, as it will remove the launchd.conf file, and you can safely remove any of the three files in step 3 ending in “.dylib”. Otherwise, you must not remove any of those files! Removing any .dylib file without removing the launchd.conf file will cause your computer to freeze and become unable to restart.
It is possible that you won’t have the launchd.conf file or any .dylib file installed, in which case you can safely remove all other files.
Move the following items to the trash.
Some of the files, including the Genieo application may not be present. Remove the ones that you do find.
Repeat steps 1-4 for these files;
/Applications/Genieo
/Applications/Uninstall Genieo
/Applications/Uninstall IM Completer.app
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.plist
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client.plist
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.engine.plist
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.update.plist
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client.plist
~/Library/Application Support/com.genieoinnovation.Installer/
~/Library/Application Support/Genieo/
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.download.plist
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.update.plist
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client
/usr/lib/libgenkit.dylib
/usr/lib/libgenkitsa.dylib
/usr/lib/libimckit.dylib
/usr/lib/libimckitsa.dylib
If you successfully remove the launchd.conf file, but cannot find the other files listed above, that will not cause a problem.
YOU MUST NOW RESTART YOUR COMPUTER.
After it starts back up, repeat steps 1-4 to move the following item to the trash, if present.
/Library/Frameworks/GenieoExtra.framework
It is now safe to empty the trash.
Now carry on from step 5 of https://fixkb.com/2011/11/remove-genieo-on-mac.html.
I sincerely hope this helps.
Thanks.
Followed all instructions (I had previously uninstalled Genieo before finding this site) and still when I open safari, before home page finishes loading, pop box with “Your player may be out of date, click to continue” comes up and there is no way around it. Will NOT click it ever again! BUT cannot get into Safari preferences panel etc as all are “grayed out”
Hello Pat,
Can you confirm if you are able to follow this method?
https://fixkb.com/2010/03/reset-safari.html
It finally worked – after I uninstalled and re-installed the Flash Player with re-boot in between. Did have to click on the “Player may be out of date” and was then able to reset Safari. Thank you!
Hi Pat, Glad I could help.
I also notice a tab on safari “207.css” when I try to launch it. I don’t think that was there prior to Genieo. I searched my “browser extensions” and it showed up along with “prototype.js” Are either or both of these part of my problem?
Hello Pat,
With any browser extension, if you did not install it or do not want it rule of thumb is to remove it.
Browsers from reputable sources do not come with extensions.
Hope this helps.
Please help. I did not find the initial file: /private/etc/launchd.conf, but I continued on because I assumed at some point in this grueling process of removing Geneio, I would have tried the Uninstall option. So I proceeded to move those files listed to the trash (I was not able to find all those files, but that’s not my concern now). I’m pretty sure I did use the uninstall, but now I’m doubting myself. I haven’t restarted my computer and I haven’t emptied my trash. Another aside, I did find the /Library/Frameworks/GenieoExtra.framework file that I will move to trash after restarting, but now I’m unsure how to proceed. Should I run Geneio’s uninstall program just in case, or will this cause a problem as some of those files are in the trash?
Hello Kate,
Not to sound unfriendly but do NOT run the uninstaller, the uninstaller has been found to actually install more junk.
I would recommend you back up your files and continue following the fix for now.
Do you have the mac OS install disk(just in case anything goes wrong)?
Hi
I was a bit scared…tried this and it worked wonderfully – thanks for the clear instructions.
Glad we could help!
I have followed the instructions and removed the Genieo software but when I open Chrome the Genieo home page continues to load. I have removed the Install Mac from the Omnibox. What do I do now?
Hello Chris,
You will need to reset you homepage and default search engine.
This can be done by opening Chrome settings under these headings “On start-up”>”Set pages” and “Search”>”Manage search engines…”
Delete any homepages/search engines that you do not require.
Hope this helps.
THANK YOU FOR HELP
It worked! Thank-you
I just wanted to thank you for sharing this information. Genieo also became my search engine without my knowledge. I have a 10 year old son though that uses my Mac occasionally so it could be the games he downloaded, I have no idea. I followed your instructions last night and it got rid of it. My screen did freeze on the moving of the files to trash so I cancelled it and started again. The second time, it did the same thing, it just stayed on that screen and I couldn’t do anything else so I re-started my computer and Genieo was gone! Thanks so much….
I tried this and for some reason I did not read step number 2 (I know SO stupid). My iMac is unable to restart and I have tried to Safe Boot it, but it somehow doesn’t work. It just freezes when the grey apple symbol comes, and then it just keeps loading and nothing happens.
What can I do to make it start up again? Please help me.
btw: I have full backup on my mac.
Hello Stella,
Unfortunately you will need to reinstall OSX but don’t worry you can do this without losing your files.
Please see: Mountain Lion; http://support.apple.com/kb/PH10763
Mavericks; http://support.apple.com/kb/ph13871
On the plus side this will remove Genieo and any other unwanted software.
Please keep me updated.
Thank you so so so so much! I have been so sad about this, and you truly helped me out of this nightmare. I can’t thank you enough. Really 🙂
It is now reinstalling OSX and I have a feeling that it will work.
Thank you again 🙂
Hi again Russell.
I just want to say, that my mac is working again. I deleted everything on my harddisk (luckily I have a backup) and installed OS X again. And then it worked really fine, no applications or pop-up-windows. Nothing. I’m really happy! (:
Bye !
Hello Stella,
Glad I could help and I hope you enjoy many years of continued computer use!
Regards
Russell
I downloaded this by accdient, it said something else one what I wanted, and this downloaded. As soon as it was done I realized it was a big mistake, it wasn’t even on for 5 minutes and I was looking for how to get rid of it. This page is a life saver, the first thing I looked at and oh my god thank you lord for this. It is gone from my Mac (hopefully it doesn’t pop back) and I regret it as the biggest mistake ever.
Thank you for the article and you are a life saver.
Definitely coming back here when I have another problem!
Guys, if you’re on Safari, just disable your extensions in preferences and it doesn’t pop up!! worked for me!!
Hello Lucas,
Thank you for your comment but this does not fix the problem, it only hides it.
I DO NOT advise anyone to do this as the software has the potential to update and make things much worse.
Regards
Russell
Thank you, thank you, thank you sooooooooo much for helping me to remove genieo. I followed all of the steps and I now seem to be free from this terrible thing. I installed it accidentally (in a hurry, doing 5 things at the same time), it is the most annoying thing! Hope it is gone now, I will be so much more alert from now on 🙂
Hello Patricia,
Thank you for your comment, I’m very glad we could help.
Regards
Russell
I can’t find the file
/private/etc/launchd.conf
or any of the other files mentioned. Yet Safari still uses Genieo and it is listed in my Applications folder. Should I just move the Application the the trash?
Any help greatly appreciated
I’m using an iMac running Mac OS X 10.7.5.
Hello Michael,
Please try following the steps from this comment: https://fixkb.com/2011/11/remove-genieo-on-mac.html#comment-132223
Please let me know how it goes.
Regards
Russell
THANKYOU! This worked very well and was easy to understand. A bit more straight forward than other help sites i came across.
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for commenting and very glad we could help.
Regards
Russell
Unfortunately I ran the Genieo Uninstaller before finding this thread! I followed the instructions above and removed Genieo. Thank you! Currently, however, the Genieo uninstaller has permanently parked itself in my dock!!! It wont allow me to drag it to the trash or delete it. Have I again unknowingly installed something I’m stuck with? Please help.
Hello Tami,
It sounds as though if you can’t remove it from your dock even after a restart then you may have to reset your dock. To do this please use spotlight to open up Terminal and type the following command and press enter, Once this had done please logout and log back in to your account.
rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist
All the best,
Nick
What an insidious piece of malware. Just spent 4 hours cleaning this up. All because I wanted to download IE in order to check browser compatibility for a website. I know IE was going to violate my machine, but I had no idea how bad it was going to be.
To completely remove, be sure to read through the comments! The instructions on the KB are not going to cleanse your machine of everything. The other directions – especially from Carl Norton about resetting other browsers and appDelete.
Thank you for this excellent helpful app!
I have deleted the files that are required the launched file was not found and it deleted the dylib files and now the machine freezes on startup and I have reinstalled the system and still has locked up.
Any ideas ?
Have got a CCC backup
Running 10.9 what is the best way to fix this issue and restore the CCC backup?
Thank you so much!!!!
Thank youuuuuu! Finally get rid of this useless Genieo thing..
Been looking around for a guide that actually works! Thanks alot! 🙂
Thank you so much!!! It was really helpful!!
Genieo is malware created by scumbags who want to infect your computer and take over your search functions.
These scum are the lowest form of life and should be put out of their misery at the earliest possible time.