How to uninstall apps on mac?
Quick Answer
To uninstall apps on Mac, for App Store apps, open Launchpad, click and hold an app icon until it wiggles, then click the 'X' button; for most other apps, drag the application from the Applications folder in Finder to the Trash and empty it; for complex software like Adobe Creative Cloud, use its dedicated uninstaller or cleanup tool for complete removal.
Understanding Mac App Uninstallation
Uninstalling applications on a Mac involves more than just dragging an app icon to the Trash, especially for applications not downloaded from the Mac App Store. While dragging to Trash removes the primary application bundle, many apps, particularly those installed via a .pkg installer or those with extensive features like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud, scatter various associated files across your system, including preference files, cache data, and application support folders within your user's Library directory.
Understanding these different installation methods is crucial for complete removal. Apps from the Mac App Store are generally self-contained and easier to remove via Launchpad. However, third-party apps often create helper tools, login items, and extensive data in locations like ~/Library/Application Support/, ~/Library/Caches/, and ~/Library/Preferences/. Failing to remove these remnants can lead to wasted disk space, potential software conflicts, or leave behind sensitive data, which is why a thorough uninstallation process is important for maintaining your Mac's performance and privacy over its typical 5-7 year lifespan.
For instance, an app like Google Chrome creates a 'Google' folder in Application Support, while a video editor might store gigabytes of cache files. Simply deleting the Chrome app from the Applications folder leaves these folders behind. A proper uninstallation aims to clean up these associated files, ensuring no digital clutter remains on your macOS Ventura or Sonoma system, preventing issues like slow startups or unexpected application behavior from lingering data.
How to Uninstall Apps Specifically on macOS
First, for apps downloaded from the Mac App Store, use Launchpad for the simplest removal. Open Launchpad from your Dock or by pinching with four fingers on your trackpad. Locate the app icon you wish to remove, then click and hold the icon for approximately two seconds until all app icons begin to wiggle. An 'X' button will appear in the upper-left corner of the app icon; click this 'X' and then confirm the uninstallation when prompted. This method ensures all associated files installed by the App Store are removed.
Second, for most other applications, including those downloaded directly from a developer's website, utilize Finder. Open a new Finder window and navigate to the 'Applications' folder from the sidebar. Locate the specific application you want to uninstall, for example, 'VLC media player.app'. Drag this application icon directly into the Trash icon located in your Dock. After dragging, right-click (or Control-click) on the Trash icon and select 'Empty Trash' to permanently delete the application files, typically completing within 5-10 seconds depending on the app's size. This step is crucial for freeing up disk space, which could be several gigabytes for larger apps.
Third, for complex applications, especially those that come with their own installers or are part of a suite like Adobe Creative Cloud or Microsoft Office, always look for a dedicated uninstaller. Many professional software packages, such as Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Word, include an uninstaller utility within their original application folder (often named 'Uninstall [App Name]') or provide a separate 'Cleaner Tool' on the developer's website. For example, the Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool can effectively remove all traces of Adobe applications, which is vital for preventing licensing conflicts or leftover files that could total several gigabytes. Run these specific uninstallers first, as they are designed to clean up all scattered files and configurations associated with the software suite.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One frequent error is simply dragging an app to the Trash without emptying it. Many people do this because it seems like the app is gone, but the files remain on your hard drive, consuming valuable storage space (e.g., 500 MB for an app like Pixelmator Pro) until the Trash is emptied. Always remember to right-click the Trash icon and select 'Empty Trash' to complete the deletion process.
Another common mistake is neglecting to remove associated files scattered across your system, especially for non-App Store apps. People often assume dragging the main app icon is sufficient, but this leaves behind preference files, caches, and application support data in your user Library folder, which can accumulate to hundreds of megabytes or even several gigabytes over time. For example, an old game might leave 10GB of data in ~/Library/Application Support/.
A third error is attempting to delete an application while it is still running or has background processes active. macOS will display a message like 'The item “AppName” can’t be moved to the Trash because it’s open.' Many users then get frustrated. Always ensure the app is fully quit, and check Activity Monitor (found in Utilities folder) for any lingering processes related to the app before attempting deletion. Force quitting an app from Activity Monitor can resolve this issue quickly.
Finally, ignoring an app's dedicated uninstaller for complex software is a significant oversight. For instance, trying to manually delete components of an anti-virus program or a virtual machine application like Parallels Desktop without using its specific uninstaller can leave critical system files behind, potentially causing system instability or preventing future installations of similar software. Always check the developer's website or the app's original installation folder for a proper uninstallation utility.
Expert Tips for Best Results
Always ensure the application you intend to uninstall is completely quit before attempting removal. If an app is stubborn and won't quit normally, open Activity Monitor (located in Applications/Utilities), search for the app's name or related processes, select them, click the 'X' button in the toolbar, and choose 'Force Quit' to terminate all background processes. This ensures the app's files are not locked and can be moved to the Trash without error messages.
For a truly thorough cleanup of lingering files from non-App Store applications, manually check your user's Library folder. In Finder, hold down the Option key and click 'Go' in the menu bar, then select 'Library'. Navigate to 'Application Support', 'Caches', and 'Preferences' folders. Look for folders or files named after the uninstalled app or its developer (e.g., 'Spotify' or 'Microsoft'). Delete these specific folders and files, but be extremely careful not to delete unrelated system files, as this can cause system instability. This manual step can reclaim hundreds of megabytes of disk space.
After uninstalling an application and emptying the Trash, consider restarting your Mac. A restart can clear out any lingering temporary files, release system resources, and ensure that all changes made during the uninstallation process are fully registered by macOS. This is particularly helpful after removing larger applications or those that installed system extensions, ensuring a clean slate for your system.
Distinguish between App Store apps and downloaded apps for optimal uninstallation. App Store apps, like Pages or Keynote, are sandboxed and are usually cleanly removed via Launchpad's 'X' button. Downloaded apps, such as Zoom or Firefox, often create more scattered files and are best uninstalled by dragging from the Applications folder to the Trash, followed by a manual check of the Library folder for remnants. Understanding this distinction helps you choose the most effective and complete uninstallation method for each specific app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if an app won't delete and says it's open?
If an app says it's open and won't delete, open Activity Monitor from Applications/Utilities. Locate the app's process, select it, click the 'X' button in the toolbar, and choose 'Force Quit'. Once the process is terminated, you can drag the app to the Trash and empty it.
How do I find leftover files from an uninstalled app manually?
To find leftover files, open Finder, hold down the Option key, click 'Go' in the menu bar, and select 'Library'. Within the Library folder, check 'Application Support', 'Caches', and 'Preferences' for folders or files related to the uninstalled app or its developer. Delete these specific items cautiously.
Can I uninstall built-in macOS apps like Safari or Mail?
No, you cannot directly uninstall built-in macOS applications like Safari, Mail, or Photos. These apps are integral parts of the operating system and are protected by system integrity features to maintain macOS functionality and stability. Attempting to remove them can cause system issues.
Should I use a third-party app uninstaller tool for my Mac?
While third-party uninstallers like CleanMyMac X or AppCleaner can automate the process of finding and deleting associated files, they are not strictly necessary if you follow the manual steps carefully. For most users, the built-in methods combined with a manual Library folder check are sufficient and free, preventing unnecessary software installations.
What is the difference between deleting an app and emptying the Trash?
Deleting an app by dragging it to the Trash moves its primary files to a temporary holding area. Emptying the Trash permanently removes those files from your Mac's storage, freeing up disk space. Until the Trash is emptied, the files still exist on your hard drive, consuming space.