Quick question – how do you uninstall programs on Mac?

The logic tells usa we should but drag an unwanted app to the Bin. Alas, it is not quite so. Dragging normal files like documents and movies to the Trash works fine. But doing the aforementioned for apps leaves tons of leftover junk files on your hard drive.

  • An app is stored in more than 1 place
  • Many apps have small "satellite" apps
  • Some apps have unusual locations

For example, Steam games are stored in a custom folder, that's why deleting such apps is a flake harder. We're going to evidence you lot what gets left behind and what you can do to completely uninstall apps from here on out.

How to uninstall on Mac

If you are trying to delete an former application, reinstall a corrupted software or simply free up disk infinite on your Mac, removing all components of the program is of import. These include the app, its preferences and support files, and sometimes other hidden files.

To completely uninstall a program on Mac you have to cull one of three options:

  • Using Trash.
  • Using Launchpad.
  • Using a native uninstaller.

The ways mentioned in a higher place include navigating your Mac'southward in search of the apps you want to remove so locating their remaining data. The latter can take even more place than the app itself and tin can be stored anywhere in your folders.

I prefer clearing my Mac from apps using special software made for this particular task - CleanMyMac 10. It's Uninstaller characteristic, is an app-killer that sweeps away any plan you don't want on your Mac and clears remaining junk.

Now let'southward go alee and delete some apps!

1. Uninstall Mac apps using Trash

Whether you're running macOS Monterey or an earlier macOS, like Catalina or Mojave, the process of manually uninstalling apps remains relatively similar. Here's what you need to practice:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Get to Applications.
  3. Choose the app you want to delete.
  4. Press Control + Delete (⌘⌫).
  5. Open Trash.
  6. Click the Empty button in the upper-correct corner of the window.

And the app is gone.

Uninstalling apps on macOS Monterey still requires getting rid of leftovers, despite the fact that it'southward the latest and the most sophisticated system for Mac. Apple has done such a good chore on recent macOS versions just de-installation to this day remains an issue.

To completely remove programs from Mac manually, you have to find all the associated files that come along with the app. That means not just dragging the app icon to the Trash from your Applications folder, but searching the depths of the arrangement files on your Mac.

For example, here'due south one app storing cache in dissimilar places on your Mac:

Nosotros're going to reveal the locations of the most common files that are associated with apps. To remove the app leftovers from your Mac simply navigate to each of these folders and chase for the app you want to remove. If you find files with the app proper name you can send them to the Trash.

And then, when uninstalling any software, you have to go over each of these folders one past ane and remove the following:

  • Binary and dock icons are located in /Applications/
  • Application support files are located in
    ~/Library/Application Back up
  • Support Caches tin be constitute in /Library/Caches/ and
    ~/Library/Caches
  • Plugins are located in ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/
  • Library tin can be establish in ~/Library/
  • App preferences are located in ~/Library/Preferences/
  • Crashes are found in
    ~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter/
  • App saved states are located in
    ~/Library/Saved Application State/

At that place are many more hidden files, some of which cannot be accessed past the user. And macOS/OS X will prevent y'all from deleting some app files.

As you lot can run across, it's not that piece of cake to uninstall applications Mac doesn't need, even when you lot know what to practise. By the way, be sure to expect for the name of the app in the file names of the files you remove. Don't remove anything y'all don't know! Do your due diligence before removing something from your system.

When y'all delete software on Mac manually, exist sure only to remove an app file or binder when yous're sure of what it is. Look at the name very carefully earlier you nuke information technology. Removing the incorrect files could cause issues with your organisation.

Remember, delight be careful when deleting system files — you never know how it will affect your Mac if y'all remove the incorrect ones (or the right ones for that matter!).

two. Uninstall Mac programs with Launchpad

How to uninstall on Mac by using the Launchpad? It'southward easy and this manual method works like this:

  1. Click Launchpad icon in your Mac'south Dock.
  2. Notice the app you desire to delete.
  3. Click and hold the app until it starts shaking.
  4. Click Ten in the summit-left corner of the app icon.
  5. Click Delete.

This volition uninstall the app from your Mac. Nevertheless, keep in mind that afterward removing the plan, you should also delete its leftovers as nosotros've described above.

How to delete Mac apps that won't delete

Unfortunately, manual methods won't get everything. Some apps are pre-installed macOS components and protected by the arrangement while others will turn down to delete because they are already open (even though that'due south oft non truthful).

So, how to delete the apps on Mac that won't delete? You can endeavour the transmission removal after strength quitting the app in question (printing Command-Selection-Esc and if the app is on the list shut it down) or rebooting your Mac.

If you're nevertheless unable to delete apps on Mac or if you're worried you won't do it correctly and want a safer culling, there's the like shooting fish in a barrel method of uninstalling apps from your Mac so you don't have to force delete applications. It really does a ameliorate (and safer) job and in a fraction of the time. Read on to acquire how to delete apps on Mac automatically.

3. Uninstall apps with CleanMyMac Ten

When I referred to the easy method of uninstalling apps, I meant using CleanMyMac X. As for me, deleting apps is a pretty slow task. I've e'er put abroad this chore, equally it will waste a huge amount of my fourth dimension. But, my Mac was running low on gratuitous storage, so I decided to try CleanMyMac X to fix this problem and uninstall programs on Mac with ease. I used the Uninstaller module to get rid of multiple apps at once. Here'southward what you need to do:

  1. Download the gratuitous version  of CleanMyMac X and launch it (takes less than a infinitesimal).
  2. Go to Uninstaller.
  3. Choose All Applications.
  4. Cheque the boxes next to the app you lot want to remove.
    5. All apps selected in the Uninstaller module of CMMX
  5. Printing Uninstall.

Every bit you can see, CleanMyMac X shows precisely how much place each app takes, so information technology's easier to detect the heaviest programs. Another do good is that y'all tin majority uninstall programs on Mac without dragging each app and its files to the Trash.

Is information technology possible to delete system files on Mac?

CleanMyMac X doesn't permit you delete system apps like Safari. Neither of Mac cleaners can do that. Only, CleanMyMac X allows you lot to delete the information associated with organisation apps and reset them completely. Click CleanMyMac X's menu in the upper-left corner and cull Preferences. Go to Ignore List and click Uninstaller. Here uncheck the box side by side to "Ignore system applications."

Now, yous can close Preferences and go back to Uninstaller.  Click ► next to the app's icon to show its files. Then bank check the data yous want to delete and choose Reset from the drop-downwards list next to the app'south icon. So press Remove.

Safari reset selected in the Uninstaller module in CMMX

It will help to articulate some space on your Mac. Note that your app logs may as well disappear after the reset.

four. Use the native uninstaller

Many applications are designed to clean after themselves. They come with a built-in uninstaller — a self-destroying utility arranged with the main app. This is mostly truthful for third-party apps that you download from the internet. That's why native uninstallers remain more than of a Windows matter, non much heard of in the Mac earth.

The original uninstallers tin can be found in Finder > Applications. If your app looks similar a folder (within the Applications folder) most probable it volition accept a split up uninstaller. The name will read [Your app] Uninstaller or Uninstall [Your App].

Open up the folder, find the launcher, and just follow the onscreen instructions. After the removal is complete, you can enjoy your extra storage space!

Clear app leftovers: preferences files and caches

No sane developer wants people to delete their application. As your drastic ex, they would do everything to stay on your Mac, like planting pieces of their software around your Mac so one solar day they can return. Support files, preference files, and caches — all these will likely remain even if you've deleted the app itself.

Hither I'll show y'all how to root out these remaining traces. I'll use the Telegram app as an example.

Delete application support files

Click on Finder > Go to Folder… (in the upper menu).
Paste in: ~/Library/Application Support/Your App Name

In my example it's: ~/Library/Application Back up/Telegram

At present, delete the content of this folder.

Delete application Preferences

The Preferences folder contains your user settings. These files are tiny but in that location'southward no reason not to delete them, but out of principle.

Click on Finder > Go to Folder…
Paste in: ~/Library/Preferences/

Open up the folder. At present type the name of your app in the search bar. Click to search "Preferences." Delete the establish items.

Delete the caches

In the same vein, you'll have to delete the remaining app caches.

This time, apply the following command to paste in Finder > Go to Binder...
Paste this: ~/Library/Caches/Your App Name

Note: In some cases, you lot need to search for the app programmer's proper noun, rather than the name of the app.

Tip: Don't forget to search for onetime .DMG installers in the Finder. To completely uninstall application, Mac will show you lot the list of installers and their size via Search.


Delete leftovers with CleanMyMac X

If you've been doing a "spring cleaning" in your Applications folder, chances are some files are still left somewhere in your Mac's arrangement. CleanMyMac X detects and collects them into the Leftovers tab.

Get to Uninstaller once more and select Leftovers. Select all the remaining files and printing Uninstall to say goodbye to the app remains. If the app is withal running, CleanMyMac X will close information technology, so it's a quick way to force delete an app on Mac.

Leftovers in the Uninstaller module of CMMX

Now you are only every bit good at uninstalling applications on Mac as any Apple engineer. Hopefully, you now have plenty of free infinite. Don't miss a few related manufactures below.