[MAC] How to uninstall Reference 4

Uninstall Reference 4 from your device - apps, driver and plugin, user data, and profiles. Follow all the steps provided below to completely remove Reference 4 from your computer.

Stopped using Reference? Please tell us why! Go to survey

In this article:

1. Uninstalling Reference 4 apps
2. Removing the Reference 4 driver & plugins
3. Removing the Sonarworks folder (user data and profiles)
4. Removing the Systemwide driver manually via Terminal

Uninstalling Reference 4 apps

To uninstall the Reference 4 apps, move the Systemwide and Measure applications to Trash:

1. Quit the Reference 4 Systemwide app from the macOS menu bar
2. Go to Finder > Applications
3. Select the Reference 4 Systemwide app and Move to Trash
4. Select the Reference 4 Measure app and Move to Trash

Removing the Reference 4 driver & plugins

Reference 4 will install components such as the HAL driver for the Systemwide app, and 3 different plugin formats: AU, AAX, and VST. These are all located in the Audio/Plugins directory, and can be deleted manually by navigating to the locations shown below:

Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/Sonarworks Reference 4 plugin.component
Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/Sonarworks Reference 4 plugin.aaxplugin
Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/Sonarworks Reference 4 plugin.vst
Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL/SonarworksSystemwide.driver

Removing the Sonarworks folder (user data and profiles)

Reference 4 software also stores files such as calibration profiles, log files, settings data, license information, and other data. This data is stored in the Sonarworks folder and can be deleted by navigating to the directory shown below. 

Keep in mind that this will delete all your user data, including any speaker profiles you've created. If you wish to back up your profiles, you can simply copy them from the location shown here: Where can I find my speaker profile?

The Sonarworks folder is located in this directory:

Macintosh HD/Users/Username/Library/Sonarworks

NOTE! The User/Library directory is hidden by default. Use the Cmd + Shift + . (dot) keyboard command to reveal hidden items in Finder, or see detailed instructions here: How to show hidden files Mac and Windows?

• sudo kextunload /System/Library/Extensions/Sonarworks.kext
• sudo rm -r /System/Library/Extensions/Sonarworks.kext

If you get stuck at any point or have any further questions about the uninstall process, please contact us by submitting a support request below!