Uninstall MailPoet 3

Hi there @sloanish,

Our developers are currently working on adding a feature to optionally also remove database tables / data when uninstalling MailPoet, however there’s no current ETA on when that will be complete and released in the plugin.?

By default, all of your data is preserved when removing the plugin, since automatically deleting the data would definitely result in unwanted data loss for lots of users if temporarily uninstalling the extension.

For now, the best available option would be to manually delete all database tables that begin with *_mailpoet.

As always, when making changes like this, please make sure you have a complete backup of the site and database, just in case.

I even don’t understand how this plugin got installed. Is it like an addon of something else?

Anyway, I also want to get rid of all the junk it has created in the database.

As I have no idea what this plugin is meant for, and what it added, then I have no idea how to get rid of it as well.

Something like this plugin that creates this big footprint, should have a easy way to remove all of it in a easy and safe way. Adding it was too easy… just a wrong click in some other plugin where it was recommended as an addon or something.

Please let me know as well when the removal part is complete and ready for use.

Hello there @ppartel,

Thank you for reaching out to us with your concerns regarding the uninstallation process of MailPoet and the remnants it has left in your database.

I understand that discovering a plugin installed on your site without your direct intention can be perplexing. MailPoet is often bundled or recommended by other plugins/themes due to its integrated email solution that enhances WordPress websites, which might explain how it was added to your site.

Regarding the removal of MailPoet’s data from your database, I apologize for the inconvenience you’ve experienced and appreciate your feedback. You’ve raised a valid point about the importance of a straightforward and complete uninstallation process. Rest assured, our team is actively working on an update to include an option to remove all associated data upon uninstallation. However, as of now, there isn’t a precise ETA for this feature.

To manually remove MailPoet’s data from your database, please follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have a full backup of your website and database. This is crucial as it allows you to restore your site to its former state should anything go wrong during the manual cleanup process.
2. Once the backup is safely created, you will need to access your website’s database. This can usually be done through your web hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel) via phpMyAdmin.
3. In your database, search for tables with the prefix *_mailpoet (The asterisk * represents your WordPress database table prefix, commonly wp_, but it might be different if you or your web host set a custom database prefix for your site).
4. Carefully select all tables that begin with this prefix and choose the option to delete/drop these tables.

Important: This action is irreversible, which is why having a backup is critical. If you’re uncomfortable performing these steps, I strongly recommend enlisting the assistance of a web professional.

Your sentiments regarding the ease of adding versus removing the plugin are duly noted. We continuously strive to improve the user experience, and feedback like yours is invaluable for our development process.

If there are any questions, or if you require any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Hi,

thank You for Your reply. Just to clarify:

Does the plugin only adds info to *_mailpoet tables? Or does it add anything to anywhere else in the database? Like some settings or anything at all?

MailPoet primarily stores its data in its own tables prefixed with _mailpoet_, but it may also interact with other WordPress tables to some extent. Here’s a breakdown:

1. MailPoet Tables: MailPoet stores a significant portion of its data in tables prefixed with _mailpoet_, such as _mailpoet_customers, _mailpoet_newsletters, _mailpoet_segments, etc. These tables contain information related to subscribers, newsletters, segments, statistics, etc.
2. WordPress Core Tables: MailPoet interacts with various WordPress core tables to manage certain aspects of its functionality. For example, it may add data to the wp_options table to store plugin settings, the wp_postmeta table to associate data with specific posts or pages, and the wp_users table to manage subscriber data.
3. Custom Tables: Depending on the specific features and extensions used within MailPoet, it may create additional custom tables to store specific data. These tables may have prefixes other than _mailpoet_.

While MailPoet primarily relies on its own tables to store data, it may leverage the capabilities of WordPress core tables and custom tables as needed to provide its functionality.