How to Uninstall Apps on Your Mac: 6 Quick Ways

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Hashir Ibrahim

Last updated: July 27, 2024

Expert verified

Downloading apps on Mac, using them once, and then completely forgetting about them – I’ve often done that. As a result, my system piles up with unused apps hogging up space and slowing down my Mac. So, what’s the workaround? Uninstall apps on your Mac – the ones you don’t need, of course! Here, I’ll show you the easiest ways to get rid of unused apps on your Mac.

Uninstall Unwanted Apps on Mac In One Click Using MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller

While you can use the Apple native methods to uninstall apps, they’re not as quick and accurate as using third-party software like MacKeeper. Plus, no native method deletes leftover files while uninstalling an app.

Follow these steps to uninstall apps on your Mac with their leftover files using MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller:

1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
2. After installation, launch MacKeeper and click the Smart Uninstaller in the left-hand menu.

3. Click Start Scan.

4. Select the applications you want to delete from the list and click Remove Selected.

5. Tap the Remove button on the pop-up to confirm the deletion.

6. MacKeeper will uninstall the apps and remove associated files and folders. You will get a Removal Completed notification. Click Continue to finish the process.

Now, you can move on to deleting the app leftovers using the Smart Uninstaller:

1. Launch the Smart Uninstaller and click Start Scan.

2. When the scan completes, click Leftovers in the left sidebar.

3. Select the leftover files you want to delete in the right pane and click Remove Selected.

4. Tap the Remove button to confirm the removal.

5. This will remove your selected app leftovers, and you’ll get a Removal Completed notification. Click Continue to finish the process.

5 Alternative Ways to Uninstall Apps on Your Mac

While I’ve always found MacKeeper to be the best solution for uninstalling apps and their leftovers on my Mac, I understand that some users prefer exploring built-in methods. So, below, I’ve shared some alternative ways to uninstall apps on your Mac.

1. Use Finder to Uninstall Apps on Mac

Using Finder to uninstall apps on your Mac is the most commonly used method. It’s particularly handy for apps that don’t come with their own uninstallers. Just find the Applications folder on your Mac, select the app you want to remove, and drag it to the Bin.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using Finder to uninstall apps on your Mac:

1. Click the Finder icon in the Dock.

2. Open the Applications folder from the left sidebar.

3. Scroll through the list of apps in the Applications folder until you find the app you want to uninstall.
4. Click the app icon and drag it to the Bin icon in the Dock. Alternatively, right-click the app icon and select Move to Bin.

5. After dragging the app to the Bin, right-click the Bin icon in the Dock and select Empty Bin.

6. Restart your Mac to ensure that all changes are applied.

2. Use Launchpad to Uninstall Apps on Mac

Using Launchpad to uninstall apps on your Mac is another user-friendly option. With Launchpad, you can easily delete any app you downloaded from the App Store.

Here’s how to use Launchpad to uninstall apps on your MacBook:

1. Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock, or use the Mac keyboard shortcut key: F4.

2. Scroll through the list of apps in Launchpad until you find the app you want to uninstall.

3. Click and hold the app icon until it starts shaking, and an X icon appears on the top-left corner of the app icon. Click the X icon to delete the app.

4. A pop-up window will ask you to confirm if you want to delete the app. Tap the Delete button to confirm, and it will move the app to the Bin.

5. After deleting the app, right-click the Bin icon in the Dock and select Empty Bin.

6. Restart your Mac to ensure that all changes are applied.

3. Use the App’s Native Uninstaller

Whenever I have to uninstall an app on my Mac that I downloaded from the web, I always check first if it has its native uninstaller. Most internet-downloaded apps do. Using the native uninstaller is super helpful as it deletes the app with its associated files.

Here’s how to remove applications using their native uninstaller:

1. Find the application you’d like to uninstall in your Applications folder.
2. Right-click or control-click the app’s icon and select Show Package Contents from the drop-down menu.

3. Look at all the files inside the package and locate a file named [the app name] Uninstaller or something similar.
4. Double-click the Uninstaller file and follow the instructions given by an uninstall wizard that pops up (if there are none, the program has now been uninstalled).
5. Once finished, don’t forget to empty the Trash on your Mac to ensure all associated files are removed from your hard drive.

4. Delete App Leftovers to Completely Uninstall an App on Your Mac

If you prefer not to use a third-party tool, you can manually search for leftover files. To delete app leftovers and completely uninstall an app on your Mac, follow the steps below:

1. Open Finder and navigate to the Library folder. To do this, click Go in the menu bar while holding the Option ⌥ key and select Library.

2. Look for any folders or files related to the app you uninstalled. Common locations include the following:
   • ~/Library/Application Support
   • ~/Library/Preferences
   • ~/Library/Caches
3. Carefully delete any files or folders that are associated with the app. Be cautious not to delete system files or files related to other apps.

5. Use Terminal to Uninstall Apps on Mac

Using Terminal to uninstall apps on my Mac is a method I reserve for certain situations, especially when other methods don’t seem to do the job thoroughly. It’s a bit more technical, but it gives me a lot of control over the uninstallation process.

Here’s how to go about it:

1. Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

sudo uninstall file://

3. Now, open the Applications folder in Finder and drag the app you want to delete to Terminal. It will automatically paste the app path. Then, press Enter.

4. Enter your Mac admin password and press Enter.

5. The app will be successfully deleted. You can restart your Mac to ensure all changes are applied.

What If You Can’t Uninstall an App on Mac

Deleting apps on a Mac that won’t delete can be a bit tricky, but there are several methods you can try. Below, I’ve shared the ones I’ve tried.

1. Force Quit the App First

Sometimes, you’re unable to delete an app because it’s open. So, first Force Quit the app, then try uninstalling it again. Here’s how:

1. Press Command ⌘ + Option ⌥ + Esc to bring up the Force Quit window.

2. Select an app in the window and click Force Quit.

3. Next, open the Finder and navigate to the Applications folder.

4. Find the app you want to delete.
5. Right-click the app, select Move to Bin, or drag the app to the Bin.

2. Check for a Dedicated Uninstaller

Some apps come with their own uninstallers. Check the app’s folder in the Applications directory to see if there’s an uninstaller tool. If there is, use it to remove the app.

3. Boot into Safe Mode

Sometimes starting your Mac in Safe Mode can help delete stubborn apps. Restart your Mac and hold down the Shift ⇧ key until you see the Apple logo. Once in Safe Mode, try deleting the app using the Finder method.

4. Use a Third-Party Uninstaller

There are various third-party apps available that can help with stubborn app deletions, such as MacKeeper, AppCleaner, CleanMyMac, etc. These tools can help remove apps along with their associated files.

Uninstall Apps on Mac Like a Pro

Now that you know how to uninstall apps on your Mac, you may want to learn other ways to keep your Mac clean and organized. Here are a few tips:

• Declutter your Mac by emptying the Bin regularly, deleting old and unnecessary files, and clearing caches.
• Use folders, tags, and labels to organize your files on Mac. It will help you easily find files on your Mac without sifting through hundreds of items.
• Free up space on your Mac by removing duplicate files.

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