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Title: How to uninstall apps on Mac

Date: Fri, 23 May 2025 11:00:20 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/ho...

Whether you are trying to free up storage space or just want to tidy up your
system, uninstalling apps on a Mac is a straightforward process. In many
cases, removing an application is as simple as dragging it to the Trash, but
depending on how the app was installed, there may be a few extra steps
involved. Third-party tools are an option, but in most cases, you can
uninstall Mac apps easily yourself. Some apps also leave behind associated
files that you may want to get rid of to free up space, or to remove every
last trace for a cleaner uninstall. Here is a step-by-step guide to
uninstalling apps on a Mac, covering several different methods to help you
manage your device effectively.

How to uninstall apps from Launchpad

Launchpad provides a simple way to remove apps that were downloaded from the
App Store.

Open Launchpad by clicking its icon in the Dock or by pinching closed with
your thumb and three fingers on the trackpad.

Find the app you want to delete. You can look it up in the search bar at the
top if needed.

Press and hold the app icon until it starts to jiggle.

Click the small X button in the app icon's corner.

Confirm by clicking Delete.

If you do not see an X button, the app was likely not installed from the App
Store. In that case, you will need to use a different method to remove it.

How to uninstall apps by moving them to Trash

For apps downloaded from the internet or installed from a disk, you can
uninstall them manually through Finder.

Open Finder.

Navigate to the Applications folder.

Locate the app you want to uninstall.

Drag the app to the Trash in the Dock, or right-click the app and select Move
to Trash.

To completely remove the app, right-click on the Trash and select Empty
Trash.

Some applications may require you to enter your administrator password to
complete the deletion. Also, don't empty your Trash too quickly after an
install. Whether it's a program or files associated with one, it can be
easier to retrieve those things if they're still lingering in your Trash.

How to use an appΓÇÖs uninstaller

Certain apps come with their own built-in uninstallers, especially larger
programs like Adobe products, Microsoft Office or antivirus software. These
uninstallers are designed to remove the app and all associated files.

Open the Applications folder in Finder.

Look for a folder associated with the app you want to uninstall.

Open the folder and find the uninstaller tool, often labeled as Uninstall
[App Name] or something similar.

Double-click the uninstaller and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you do not see an uninstaller, check the app's official website for
specific removal instructions.

How to delete app leftovers manually

Dragging an app to the Trash usually removes the application, but some
support files, caches, and preferences can remain on your Mac. These leftover
files do not typically harm your system, but they can take up unnecessary
space over time.

To manually delete leftover files:

Open Finder and click Go in the menu bar.

Select Go to Folder.

Type ~/Library and press Return.

Search for any folders or files related to the app. Common places to check
include:

~/Library/Application Support/

~/Library/Preferences/

~/Library/Caches/

Move any related files or folders to the Trash.

Empty Trash to permanently remove them.

Be cautious when deleting files from the Library folder. Only remove files
that are clearly associated with the app you uninstalled.

How to uninstall apps using Terminal

For users comfortable with command-line tools, Terminal offers another way to
remove apps. This method can be useful for stubborn apps that do not
uninstall easily through other methods.

Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.

Type the following command: sudo rm -rf (do not press return/enter just yet),
then drag across the app you wish to uninstall, and Terminal will
automatically paste its path. Then press enter/return.

Enter your administrator password when prompted and hit return to complete
the action.

Terminal does not provide a confirmation message, so make sure you enter the
correct app name before executing the command.

How to uninstall system apps and default apps

MacOS does not allow users to remove core system apps like Safari, Messages
or Mail through standard methods. These apps are protected to maintain system
stability.

While it is technically possible to delete system apps using Terminal
commands and disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP), this is not
recommended. Removing system apps can cause unexpected behavior and security
vulnerabilities, and may interfere with system updates.

For apps you cannot uninstall, consider hiding them or removing them from the
Dock if you want to keep your workspace tidy.

How to reinstall apps on Mac

If you change your mind after uninstalling an app, it is usually easy to
reinstall it.

For apps downloaded from the App Store, open the App Store, search for the
app and click Get or the Download button.

For apps downloaded from the web, revisit the official website and download
the latest version.

If you deleted a default macOS app, restoring it may require reinstalling
macOS or using the macOS Recovery feature.

Keeping a backup of important apps or their installers can help avoid any
inconvenience if you need to reinstall them later.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/ho...
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