How to Completely Uninstall Apps on Mac

If you want to learn how to uninstall apps on Mac, there are multiple ways to do it. Fortunately, they are all relatively simple and you can choose which one suits you best. We’ll cover how to delete apps on Mac via the Trash feature, using Launchpad, native uninstallers, using third-party apps, and using Terminal commands. We’ll even go over each step so you can clean up your apps in no time at all. 

Completely Removing Apps from Mac

Learning how to uninstall applications on Mac not only frees up valuable storage space, but can also solve problems caused by malicious or buggy apps that can affect the rest of your system. It’s important to be thorough when deleting these apps, so that leftover files like app save states and support files are fully removed too. Below are the best methods for how to uninstall apps on Mac, going from easiest to most complex. 

Method 1: Uninstall Apps Via Trash

Difficulty: Easy

The uninstall applications Mac Trash method is probably the easiest on our list and the one that most people are familiar with. It uninstalls the app but there may be some minor files left behind on your computer, so be aware that while this is the easiest method, it is not the most thorough. Here’s what to do: 

1. Open Finder by either clicking the icon on your Dock or by simultaneously pushing Command + Option + Space Key
2. On the left sidebar menu click Applications
   
   
3. Find the app you want to delete and either drag it into your Trash (found on your Dock) or you can right click and select Move to Bin. It may prompt you to re-enter your password to confirm this action
   
4. Go to your Trash icon and right click to select Empty Bin/Empty Trash

Method 2: How to Uninstall Apps Using Launchpad

Difficulty: Easy

Once again, this is an easy method for how to remove installed apps from Mac, but just like using the Trash method, leftover files will not be deleted and must be removed manually. This is still a good way to start but just be aware there may be hidden files you might need to track down to fully get rid of them. Here are the steps for using Launchpad: 

1. Open the Launchpad icon (on your Dock)
2. Select the app you want to get rid of
3. Click and hold on the app until it begins to wiggle
4. Click the X on the upper left corner of the app’s icon (preinstalled apps won’t have this X)
   
5. Select Delete. You’ll likely need to confirm your deletion

Method 3: Native Uninstallers

Difficulty: Easy

Some specific apps have native uninstallers, meaning you just have to find the application and click the Uninstaller that is usually paired with the app itself. Here’s how: 

1. Go to Finder
2. Go to Applications
3. Find your application that has an uninstaller (for example, many Adobe apps do)
4. Click the uninstaller and it will automatically uninstall the application and delete the leftover files
   

Method 4: Using 3rd Party Apps to Uninstall Apps

Difficulty: Medium

Because those pesky left behind files can be a chore to track down and manually delete, many users prefer to go the route of an app uninstaller. These can be a very thorough method of how to uninstall apps on Mac, but there are a few things to know: 

• Only use 3rd party apps from reputable sources, such as The App Store
• Do your research and look up user reviews to make sure there’s nothing suspicious about the app you’re about to download
• Look closely for any conditions you’re about to accept and opt out when you can. Many uninstallers are basically a type of adware and they can bog down your system or simply be annoying
• Look to see if the individual app has instructions on how to completely uninstall them. This may save you the trouble of using a 3rd party uninstaller

Now that you have an idea of what to be wary of, here is an example of a 3rd party app uninstaller and how to use it. We’ve chosen CleanMyMac X as it is available on The App Store and officially approved by Apple. Here are the steps:

1. Download and install CleanMyMac X from a reputable source. Note: there is a free version or a paid version
2. Open CleanMyMac X
3. Click the Uninstaller option on the left side menu
   
4. It will open up a menu of all your applications and you select which one to uninstall
5. Choose which app/apps to uninstall and click the uninstall button. This will automatically uninstall the app
   
6. To get rid of leftover files, select Leftovers from the menu options and it will display the files still in your system
7. Manually select the files to delete and click the uninstall button
   
   

Method 5: Uninstall Apps Using Terminal

Difficulty: Medium to hard depending on familiarity with Terminal

Terminal is a command-line interface to communicate directly with your Mac’s operating system through scripts and commands. Here’s how to use this to uninstall apps: 

1. Open Finder
2. Go to Applications
3. Go to Utilities
4. Go to Terminal
5. Type the following: sudo uninstall file://
6. Click and drag the app into Terminal
7. Push Return
8. You will need to enter your login credentials to confirm the deletion

Final Verdict – Deleting an App on Mac

If you’re trying to decide, “How do I uninstall an application on Mac?” it’s really up to you which method you use. Many users aren’t bothered by the small leftover files that remain when they use the Trash or Launchpad methods. If they aren’t causing issues or bugs, you may just leave it at that and not worry about removing all of those files for now. If you want to be thorough, however, a reputable third party app or using the Terminal commands would be a better bet. 

FAQs

What is the best way to completely remove apps on a Mac?

For complete removal you’ll need to hunt down all the leftover installation files from the application. Some do this manually, where others just let a good 3rd party app do the heavy lifting for them. Terminal is another method, just make sure you choose a tactic that deletes all of those leftover files. 

Is deleting an app the same as uninstalling it?

Some entities use these terms interchangeably but many consider deleting the app to get rid of all the accompanying data, such as saved game files, settings, etc. Uninstalling it keeps these intact. With Mac’s specifically, deleting and uninstalling are pretty similar. Just remember, if you want to fully “delete” something you’ll need to get rid of those leftover files that stick around after you uninstall an application.

How do I delete an app that won’t delete on Mac?

Want to know how to delete apps on a Mac that won’t delete? Sometimes apps aren’t being responsive or they are marked as being open, even when they’re not. If this happens, it can interfere with deleting them. Try force quitting the app. It may help get the bugs out and allow you to uninstall it through the methods we’ve already covered. To force quit an app: 

1. Press Option (or Alt) + Command + Escape
2. A force quit pop up will appear and you can select the troublesome app and click Force Quit
   

3. You can also try rebooting your computer to get the app to right itself, which may allow you to delete it

Be aware, some applications were pre-installed with your operating system and cannot be removed.