Mac devices are powered by macOS, which comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. While macOS is quite powerful and can handle tasks efficiently without consuming excessive resources, some simple tasks can feel cumbersome, especially for new users.
If you’re here, it means you’re looking for ways to remove or uninstall apps from your Mac. In this guide, I’ll share various ways to uninstall apps from your Mac, so if one method fails, you have other options to try.
There are many reasons why you might want to remove an app from your Mac. For instance, you might want to free up some space, as the budget Mac come with only 256GB, which is not enough for a PC. Or you may also want to delete an app if it’s no longer useful. Regardless of the reason, this guide will help you remove apps from your Mac.
Note: Before uninstalling an app on Mac, make sure to quit the app first. You can use Command + Q to quite an app or right-click on the app icon in the Dock and select “Quit.” You can also force stop an application from Activity Monitor.
The Simple Method to Uninstall an App on Mac
- First open the Applications page also known as Launchpad from the dock.
- Now look for the app icon of the app you want to remove.
- Click on the app icon and hold until the apps start jiggling.
- Then you will see a cross attached to icons. Click on it to delete the app.
- It will ask for confirmation, click on Delete and the app will be uninstalled.
When the apps are in jiggle mode, only some apps will have the cross icon, so how to uninstall other apps? Well you can delete them with the methods below.
Also Check: You can finally customize your iPhone to match your suitย withย iOSย 18
Uninstall an App on Mac via Trash
Just as you can delete files and folders, you can also delete apps in the same manner. Hereโs how it works.
- Open Finder and go to Applications folder which will be available in the main storage.
- It will show all the applications installed on your Mac. Look for the app you want to uninstall.
- After locating the app, drag and drop its icon to the Trash icon available in the Dock.
- When you drop the icon into the trash, the app will be moved to trash.
- Go to the Trash and then completely remove the app.
As long as the app is in the Trash, you can recover it by selecting the option “Put Back.” However once the app is deleted from the Trash, you cannot recover it; you will have to install it again.
Uninstall Apps on Mac from Storage Manager
If you are unable to remove an app or game using the above methods, you can uninstall them from the Settings app. Sometimes, apps and games have their own uninstaller that prevents users from uninstalling them using conventional methods. In such cases, you can use this method.
- Open System Settings and go to General > Storage.
- In Storage settings, click on information โiโ icon next to Applications.
- It will list all the apps and games installed on your Mac. Click on the app/game you want to remove.
- The Delete button will appear below, tap on the button and confirm to uninstall the app.
- If the app or game has its own uninstaller, then you will see Open Uninstaller button on the opposite of Delete. Click on Open Uninstaller and follow the on-screen instructions.
Also Check: Download: iPhone 1 to iPhone 16 Wallpapers [Complete Collection]
How to remove leftover files
If you have deleted an app using one of the methods mentioned above, there will still be some traces that are occupying space on your Mac. So it’s time to remove them as well. Here I will explain with the example of Telegram app. So let’s say you have uninstalled Telegram app, now follow the instructions below.
- Open Finder on your Mac.
- In the Finder’s search bar, search for telegram (app name that you removed).
- Now click on the + icon next to Save button. In the first column dropdown select ‘Name‘ and in the second select ‘Matches‘ and enter ‘telegram’ (app name) in the blank bar.
- Click again on + icon, now in this row, select ‘System files‘ and ‘are included.’
- Now all the files that you get are leftovers. Select all and drag them to Recycle Bin/Trash. Then you can remove them from Trash as well.
How to Delete apps along with leftover files
When you delete apps with usual methods, some apps leave behind files that occupy space on your Mac. And then you need to delete leftover files manually by searching them on Finder. However, there are tools that also remove files along with uninstalling the app. Here I’ll share a free tool that you can use.
- Download and install AppCleaner on your Mac.
- Open the App Cleaner app. Also open Applications folder in Finder.
- Now drag and drop the app (you want to delete) to the AppCleaner window.
- App Cleaner will fetch all the files related to the app, considering you have given required permission.
- You can choose what files you want to keep or you want to delete along with the app.
- Finally, click on Remove and the app will be uninstalled without any leftover files.
There are many third-party apps that let you remove apps and leftover files. However, this one is lightweight and free. You can use any remover app you prefer.
Thatโs all on how to completely remove an app from Mac. I hope you now understand how to delete an app on your Mac. Which method do you find easier? Let us know in the comments.
More Guides for your Mac:
- How to Connect a MacBook to a Toshiba TV [Wireless & HDMI]
- This app changed how I monitor and protect my MacBookโs battery
- How to Personalize App Icons on Your Mac
- How to Change Apple Maps from Km to Miles [iPhone, iPad, Mac]
- Download iMac 2024 Wallpapers in 4K (M4 iMac)
- How to use iPhone from Mac with iPhone Mirroring