If your Mac is getting overcrowded with apps you no longer use, it might be time to free up some storage space. But how do you uninstall an app on a Mac? That answer depends on the app itself—and how, and from from where, it was installed.
For most basic apps, you can just move its icon to the trash, and the program is removed. More complex apps may use their own uninstall procedure or require a third-party uninstaller to completely remove all the orphan files and settings it may leave behind. Let’s look at the various ways to remove an app on your Mac.
Move an App to the Trash
(Credit: Lance Whitney/Apple)
The easiest way to remove an installed app is to dump it in the Trash by right-clicking the app’s icon and selecting Move to Trash. Otherwise, drag the icon onto the Trash icon at the right end of the Dock. Just remember to empty the Trash to remove the file from your computer.
Another option is to select the app and press Command + Delete. You may be asked to type your Mac password. Once entered, the app is then removed from your computer.
(Credit: Lance Whitney/Apple)
If the app is connected to a subscription, remember to unsubscribe before deleting the app. Open the App Store app on your Mac and click your name in the lower-left corner. At the Account screen, click Account Settings > Manage next to the entry for Subscriptions.
(Credit: Lance Whitney/Apple)
Look for the app you want to remove and click the Edit link. At the next screen, click the Cancel Subscription button and confirm the decision. You can also cancel a subscription from an iPhone, iPad, or the Apple account website. Once the subscription has ended, you are free to delete the app.
X Out Apps From the Mac App Store
(Credit: Lance Whitney/Apple)
You can use Launchpad to remove apps that you installed from the App Store. The process is similar to removing an app on your iPhone or iPad. Click the Launchpad icon on the Dock. Move the mouse pointer to any icon in the Launchpad window and press your finger down on the touchpad or mouse button until the icons start jiggling.
You can now remove any icon with an X in the upper-left corner. Click the X button on the app you want to uninstall, then click Delete to confirm. The app is then removed; you can click on any empty area of the screen to turn off the jiggling.
(Credit: Lance Whitney/Apple)
Another option for removing apps installed from the Mac App Store is through Finder. Click the Go menu and select Applications. Any apps that can easily be removed will sport the familiar X in the upper-left corner. Just click the X for the app you wish to delete, and it’s then removed.
If you try to uninstall an app that is also in use as an extension, you may receive an error. Fix this by completely closing out Safari (Safari > Quit Safari). Or right-click the Safari icon in the Dock and select Quit. The app should then be free to delete.
Clean Up After Deleted Apps
(Credit: Lance Whitney/Apple)
Moving an app to the trash or clicking the X symbol is a quick and convenient way to remove an unwanted program. However, some apps leave behind orphan files that will continue to clutter your hard drive. In this case, there are specific folders to clean up after an app is deleted.
Open the Go menu, select Go to Folder, and copy and paste each of the following folders one at a time:
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~/Library/Application Support
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~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter
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~/Library/Caches
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~/Library/Containers
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~/Library/Cookies
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~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins
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~/Library/Logs
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~/Library/Preferences
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~/Library/Saved Application State
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/Library/Caches
After the name of the folder appears in the window, click it to open that folder in Finder. Look for any subfolders or files with the name of the application you deleted and move them to the trash.
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Remove an App With its Uninstaller
(Credit: Lance Whitney/Apple)
Some programs, like Adobe Creative Cloud, come with their own uninstaller that you’ll want to use to remove the app and all associated files and settings. Open the app to view its main screen or dashboard. Look for an entry for each app in the suite and click on an options or actions menu. In the case of Adobe Creative Cloud, you’ll find an Uninstall command in the menu for each app, such as Photoshop or Premiere. Click that command to remove the app.
(Credit: Lance Whitney/Apple)
Some apps may also have an uninstaller file stored in Finder. Open the Applications folder and, if it has one, click into the folder of the app you wish to delete. If you see an uninstaller file, you can double-click it to remove the app.
Third-Party Uninstallers for Mac
One more option is to use a third-party uninstaller utility. The advantage of a good tool is that it not only removes an app but gets rid of any leftover files and settings. A variety of uninstallers are available for the Mac, both paid and free. Here are two effective choices:
AppCleaner for Mac
(Credit: Lance Whitney/Apple)
AppCleaner for Mac(Opens in a new window) offers a few ways to remove an app for free. Open to the app you wish to uninstall in Finder. Drag the program’s icon onto the AppCleaner window. You can also click the bullet-point icon in the upper right of the AppCleaner window, then select the app from a list of all installed apps. The program will then display all the related files for the app. You can then select which files you want to wipe, and click Remove to uninstall them.
AweUninser for Mac
(Credit: Lance Whitney/Apple)
AweUninser for Mac(Opens in a new window) is a free uninstaller that will let you see a list of all installed apps on your Mac. Click the trash can icon for the app you want to remove, and then click the Uninstall button. For $29.95, the paid versions also includes a junk cleaner, duplicate file finder, disk manager, and file shredder.
