How to uninstall apps on Mac

This tutorial shows you the various ways to uninstall or delete apps you no longer need on your Mac. Follow any method that seems easy. And in case you cannot delete some Mac apps, we have the required steps to fix that issue.

Ways to uninstall apps on Mac

1. Uninstall apps on Mac from the Applications folder

Using Finder, you can quickly delete apps, including those downloaded from the Mac App Store. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Applications folder from your Dock, Finder sidebar, or press Command + Shift + A when you’re in Finder.
  2. Either right-click or hold the Control key and click the app you want to uninstall.
  3. Choose Move to Trash from the context menu.
  4. If prompted, enter your system password in the pop-up box. The app will then be moved to your Trash.
Move to Trash to Uninstall Apps on Mac Alternatively, you can select the app from the folder and drag it to your Trash. You can delete it from there immediately if you like or have it removed when you empty the Trash.

2. Delete apps from Launchpad

To skip the Trash altogether, you can delete apps from Launchpad on Mac by following these steps:

  1. Open Launchpad from your Dock, Finder, or four-finger trackpad gesture as you usually would.
  2. Either hold the Option key or click and hold any app. You should see the apps jiggle.
  3. Click the X in the top left corner of the app you want to delete.
  4. In the pop-up, click Delete to confirm the app’s removal.

Delete Apps on Mac from Launchpad Apps that do not have an X in the corner are either required on your Mac (like Mail or Messages), or were not downloaded from the Mac App Store.

3. Use AppCleaner to remove Mac apps cleanly

When you delete an app, it may leave some folders and files behind. But using third-party apps like AppCleaner, you can get rid of the app and all its data. Plus, if you find that a Mac app or shortcut is not showing the delete option, AppCleaner should help you get rid of such apps. Here’s how:

  1. Get AppCleaner for your Mac and open it.
  2. Click the bullet list icon from the top right to see all your apps.
  3. Click the app you wish to delete. AppCleaner will take a few seconds to search for that app’s folders and files.
  4. Make sure you check all the boxes and click Remove.
  5. Authenticate via your Mac’s password if asked.

AppCleaner to delete apps on Mac If an app shows the lock icon, that means the app is open, or built-in and macOS doesn’t allow removing these apps.

Other ways to uninstall apps on Mac

Using Spotlight: If you cannot locate the app for some reason, you can use Spotlight Search to find it. Press Command + Space Bar to open search, type the app’s name, and when it displays, hold Command while double-clicking the app. You’ll then be directed to its current location and can follow the first set of steps above to delete it.

Spotlight Search to Find Apps on Mac

Delete from the downloads folder: If you downloaded the app from the internet (that did not require unzipping or other installation steps), you can delete it from your Downloads folder. Open the Downloads folder from the Finder sidebar or click Go > Downloads from the menu bar. Then again, follow the first set of steps to uninstall the app.

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