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How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareOriginal
2025-03-13 11:20:11984browse

If you want to completely uninstall an application on Mac, you’ll be pleased to know it’s a fairly simple process. Most apps can be removed by right-clicking their icon in the Applications folder, then selecting the Move to Trash option. Remember to Empty Bin.

However, if you don’t remove your unwanted software properly, you could leave behind unnecessary files that take up valuable storage space and may cause problems later down the line. In this guide, we’ll show you how to correctly uninstall a program on Mac with six easiest and most effective methods. For now, read their pros and cons.

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

2. Remove programs with Launchpad

Another quick and simple way to remove programs from Mac is via Launchpad:

  1. Click the Launchpad icon in your Dock.
  2. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard. A small X will appear in the corner of some apps—click it, then select Delete to uninstall the app.

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

3. Uninstall software via the native uninstaller

One of the most effective ways to fully uninstall apps on Mac is to use the software’s native uninstaller. Try this:

  1. Open the Applications folder in Finder and find the software you want to remove.
  2. If a native uninstaller is available, it should appear alongside the app’s icon. Double-click the uninstaller to run it.

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

4. Uninstall programs using the Mac Terminal

Here’s the Terminal command to uninstall an app on Mac:

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Type sudo uninstall file://, but don’t press enter.
  3. Drag an app you don’t want from Applications into Terminal.
  4. Press enter to confirm.

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

5. Delete apps in Finder

To delete Mac apps using Finder, follow these steps:

  1. Open Finder, then select Applications.
  2. Right-click an app you want to delete, then select Move to Trash.
  3. Empty the Trash.

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

Alternatively, you can select an app icon in the Applications folder and then press Command Delete on your keyboard to remove it. You’ll still need to empty the Trash afterward, so don’t forget this step. Apps aren’t properly uninstalled until the Trash can is emptied.

If you’re deleting apps using this method, be sure to remove any associated files, too. If you want to know how to delete leftover files from uninstalled programs on Mac, go through each of the following folders in Finder and ensure any remnants of uninstalled apps are removed:

  • /Applications/
  • ~/Library
  • ~/Library/Application Support
  • ~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter/
  • /Library/Caches and ~/Library/Caches
  • ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/
  • ~/Library/Preferences
  • ~/Library/Saved Application State/

We advise you to take care when navigating these folders and removing files. Many of them contain files that macOS and your third-party apps rely on to function properly, and if you accidentally remove one of those, you could end up with instabilities or complete system crashes.

6. Completely uninstall applications with MacKeeper

A much safer and more effective way to completely delete an app on Mac, including all associated files, is to use MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller, which offers:

  • Batch app removal to delete the hidden files you can’t find manually
  • A simple and easy to use interface to enjoy
  • Safe removal of all associated files that are hidden away
  • The ability to delete preferences, plugins, browser extensions, and other leftovers as well.

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

How to Uninstall Apps on Mac? [Ways to Correctly Delete Programs from Apple Laptop]

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