Set up McAfee Security

The minimum system requirements to use McAfee Security on your device are:

• Windows
  Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8.1 fully patched (32- and 64-bit). Windows Enterprise not supported.
  
• Apple Mac
  MacOS 10.15 and above
• Android
  Google Android 8.0 or later
  Please note, the following issues can occur on devices running Android-based custom operating systems, including devices running HarmonyOS:
  • McAfee Security or Mobile Security app installation fails
  • McAfee Security or Mobile Security app becomes unresponsive or crashes.
  Find out more
• iOS
  Apple iOS 13 or later

See the full system requirements at: mcafee.com/en-nz/consumer-support/help/system-requirement.html

If you don't have McAfee Security Standard included in your plan, you can add it via MySpark or the Spark app.

MySpark

1. Sign in to MySpark
   Note: If you don't have a MySpark account yet, you can follow these steps to create one. Set up and use MySpark
2. Select Subscriptions under the Products section
3. Select Add a new subscription
4. Follow the steps to add McAfee Security Standard. You'll need to verify your email address with a one-time passcode (OTP), which will be sent to your email during the account creation process.
5. Before you can start using McAfee Security you need to activate it. Once you've finished adding McAfee Security Standard you'll receive a notification in the next 15 minutes when it's ready to activate.

Spark app

1. Open the Spark app
2. Select MySpark from the Menu and sign in if you are asked to
   Note: If you don't have a MySpark account yet, you can follow these steps to create one. Set up and use MySpark
3. Select Subscriptions under the Products section
4. Select Add a new subscription
5. Follow the steps to add McAfee Security Standard. You'll need to verify your email address with a one-time passcode (OTP), which will be sent to your email during the account creation process.
6. Before you can start using McAfee Security you need to activate it. Once you've finished adding McAfee Security Standard you'll receive a notification in the next 15 minutes when it's ready to activate.

If you don't activate McAfee Security within its first subscription cycle, it will be cancelled and there will be no refund as there has not been a charge.

1. Sign in to MySpark
   Note: If you don't have a MySpark account yet, you can follow these steps to create one. Set up and use MySpark
2. Select Subscriptions under the Products section
3. Select McAfee Security Standard
4. Select Activate McAfee Security Standard. You'll be taken to the McAfee download page.
5. Ensure the correct tab for your device is selected. The options are PC, Mobile and Mac.
6. Select Download. You may see a code on your screen but you can ignore this.
7. A file will be downloaded to your device, click this file to begin installation.
8. During install of the McAfee Security app, you'll be asked to input an email address.
   • If you are new to using McAfee, enter the email address you'd like to use for your McAfee account and select Create account - you'll need to verify your email address with a one-time passcode (OTP), which will be sent to your email during the account creation process. You'll be sent two emails; one to set your password, and another to share the download link with other devices you want to protect
   • If you already have a McAfee account, select Skip to skip this step. To link your existing McAfee account to your Spark subscription install the McAfee Mobile app and select sign in and input your existing McAfee account username (email address) and password.
9. Once the installation is complete, your McAfee Security Standard subscription is active. You can now get started on setting up the different protection features.
   

1. Sign in to MySpark
   Note: If you don't have a MySpark account yet, you can follow these steps to create one. Set up and use MySpark
2. Select Subscriptions under the Products section
3. Select McAfee Security Standard
4. Select Activate McAfee Security Standard. You'll be taken to the McAfee download page.
5. Ensure the correct tab for your device is selected. The options are PC, Mobile and Mac
6. Select Download.
7. Accept the Terms and Conditions.
8. Copy the serial number on the screen and click Download.
9. Paste the Serial Number in the Serial Number section and select Next.
10. A file will then be downloaded to your device.
11. Once the installation is complete, your McAfee Security Standard subscription is active. You can now get started on setting up the different protection features.
12. To set up a McAfee account you’ll need to install the McAfee mobile app, where you will be prompted to create an account.
13. To link your existing McAfee account to your Spark subscription you’ll need to install the McAfee Mobile app and select sign in and input your existing McAfee account username (email address) and password.
    

1. Open the Spark App
2. Select MySpark from the Menu and sign in if you are asked to
   Note: If you don't have a MySpark account yet, you can follow these steps to create one. Set up and use MySpark
3. Select Subscriptions under the Products section
4. Select McAfee Security Standard
5. Select Activate McAfee Security Standard. You'll be taken to the McAfee download page.
6. Ensure the correct tab for your device is selected. The options are PC, Mobile and Mac
7. Write down or copy the Serial Number and click Download.
8. The McAfee Security app download page will open in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your device. Select Install.
9. Select ‘Accept and continue’
10. Select ‘Already have a subscription?’ (iOS only)
11. During set up you can either create an account or sign in with an existing McAfee account.
    • If you are new to using McAfee you must create an account, enter the email address and password you'd like to use for your McAfee account and select Create my account.
    • If you already have a McAfee account select Sign in now, and sign in using your existing email address and password. This will transfer your existing account to your Spark plan.
12. Once you've completed the initial set up steps in the app, your McAfee Security Standard subscription is active. You can now get started on setting up the different protection features. 

If you haven't activated McAfee Security with Spark yet, you can download the McAfee Security app using either:

• The link in the activation SMS sent from Spark
• By clicking Activate McAfee Security in MySpark or the Spark app

If you've already activated your subscription, you'll need to send your other devices a download link. Check out How do I share the download link with my other devices?

You can't download the McAfee Security app directly from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store as you can't link your subscription to Spark this way. 

Mobile or tablet

When downloading the McAfee app on a mobile or tablet device, you'll be prompted to create an account during set-up.

PC

When downloading the McAfee app on a PC, you will be given the option to provide your email address. You'll need to verify your email address with a one-time passcode (OTP), which will be sent to your email during the account creation process. You'll then receive an email from McAfee to set a password.

Mac

You are not offered the option to create a McAfee account during activation on install on a Mac. If you are using a Mac and wish to also have a McAfee account (we recommend you get one), you’ll need to share the download link and install the McAfee app on a PC, mobile or tablet, where you will be prompted to create an account.

You'll need to either:

• Uninstall and reinstall the McAfee app on your PC. Please note, you'll lose all settings.
• Send the download link to another device (preferably a mobile or tablet) and create an account during set-up of the app on this device.
  

No, current McAfee subscriptions or licences are not transferable to Spark. However, you can have both subscriptions at the same time, just on different devices. If you want to use your McAfee Security with Spark subscription on a currently protected device, you'll need to uninstall the McAfee app, then activate your McAfee Security with Spark subscription on the device using MySpark or the Spark app

You can continue to use your current McAfee subscription until your protection terms ends. You can view the expiration date of your current subscription in your McAfee app.

To uninstall McAfee Security use the McAfee removal tool to uninstall Spark Security Suite:

1. Download the tool
2. Select Run
3. Follow the on screen instructions
4. Restart your computer

If you receive a Clean-up Unsuccessful error message, the clean-up did not work.

Please follow the steps below:

1. Restart your PC and run the McAfee Removal tool again
2. If you see Clean-up Unsuccessful again, ignore it
3. Restart your PC
4. Attempt to reinstall your McAfee software

If you are still unable to install:

1. Click here to contact McAfee customer service
2. Let the agent know:
   • McAfee Removal tool produced a Clean-up Unsuccessful message
   • You are unable to reinstall your McAfee software