How to Uninstall Apps on Mac Computers

Uninstalling apps from a Mac laptop or desktop computer is incredibly simple in most cases. Farknot Architect / Shutterstock

Removing programs from a Macintosh can be very easy. In many cases, all you have to do is drag the application's icon to the Trash. Learning how to uninstall apps on Mac computers really is that easy.

Sometimes, though, applications store the files they need to run in other locations on your computer's hard drive, and finding them can take some detective work. If you are typically a Windows user who uses the uninstall option, you might have a little culture shock; macOS does not have this feature built in.

Why Would You Delete Apps on Your Mac?

Applications take up space on your hard disk and can slow your computer. Also, a new version of a program may not work correctly unless you get rid of the old one.

It's pretty much the same reason you occasionally tidy your office or clean your garage: Clutter breeds inefficiency.

How to Uninstall Mac Apps

Most of the time, it is easy to uninstall programs.

Exit the program you want to delete.
Open the Applications folder (the app icon is the letter A), which you'll find by opening a new window in the Finder (icon with a blue face) or clicking on the hard disk icon.
Drag the icon of the program you want to uninstall toward the Trash icon.
Empty Trash.

When files for the application you want to delete are in one location, dragging the icon to the Trash will take care of most of the work.

In Mac talk, apps like this are "bundled." To see the files in an application's bundle, click on its icon while holding down the Control key. You should see an option that says: "Show package contents."

Uninstalling apps downloaded from the Mac App Store is even easier! Just delete the application from the Applications Folder and its accompanying folder in User\Library\Containers [source: Tanous].

More Detailed Instructions

For some other programs, it is more complicated to remove apps. When installed, these programs create files in several locations, often in the System Folder.

The first step in removing them is to check the program's documentation to see if there is an uninstall utility. If your program has an uninstall utility associated with it, it may have been installed with the program or included on the disk that came with it.

If you downloaded a disk image to install apps, sometimes you'll find an uninstaller there. Running an uninstall utility can make removing a program much easier.

Orphan Files

You should be aware that removing an unbundled program by moving it into the Trash can leave behind orphan files on your computer. Preference files are usually small, and you might want to ignore them if you're trying to free up disk space. Background files or application support files can be larger, especially for multimedia programs like GarageBand [source: MacRumors].

These files are likely to reside in Library folders in your hard drive or Home folder. They will usually contain the name of the program, like Office or Acrobat, or the developer, such as Microsoft or Adobe. You can search for the relevant names using Spotlight.

Drag the files you find to the trash to get rid of them.

Tips for Deleting Apps on a Mac

Enlist a Bot

If searching through obscure corners of your computer for what could be hundreds of files sounds like something a machine could do better than you, you're right. There are plenty of software programs that do just that.

They're usually your best bet for cleaning an app off your Mac, and some of them are free. Popular examples include AppTrap, Appcleaner and AppZapper.

Leave Invisible Files Alone

Some of the files that a program might create on your hard disk are invisible. It may be tempting, especially for neat freaks, to find and delete these files. But some files are deliberately hidden because they are essential to the computer's operating system.

Deleting the wrong file could land you in deep trouble [source: Landau]. The best advice is not to go where even experienced techies fear to tread. Uninstall utilities can search out and destroy these files, but doing so on your own invites trouble.

Empty the Trash

Another important thing to do is empty your Trash when you finish uninstalling. Moving a program's icon to the Trash doesn't remove the files from your hard disk or clear up any space. Only when you empty the Trash is the application really gone.

7 More Pieces of Advice

Here are some other important tips.

When you install a program, check to see how to uninstall it. Make a note if it has its own uninstall utility or instructions.
Before you begin any uninstalling process, check to make sure your Trash is empty or contains nothing you might want to save.
Log on as your computer's administrator whenever you uninstall. If you're uninstalling at work and don't have administrator privileges, you'll have to consult with your IT department.
If you opt for a third-party uninstall utility, look at the features. Some developers charge for their software, but you may not need the bells and whistles. Free utilities may work fine.
It often makes sense to leave preference files alone. If you ever reinstall the same software, you won't have to set the preferences.
Suites of software from a developer, such as the Office suite from Microsoft, often share files. Removing the files of one component may affect the others, so it's good to be cautious with these [source: The X Lab].
If, after you remove a program, the icon is still in your dock, you can get rid of it by simply dragging it off the dock and letting it go [source: Tech-FAQ].

Removing software from your Mac is a lot less of a hassle than cleaning your office or garage. But clearing away computer clutter and making space on your hard disk can be just as satisfying.