Sometimes your Mac can feel slow or run out of space because of too many unused apps. You decided to remove some of these applications since they take up too much storage, slow down your Mac, show malware alerts like the PT.updd warning, or even block important system updates. Cleaning up your Mac this way can help it run faster and smoother again. Learning how to uninstall apps on Mac is the first step toward freeing up space and improving performance.
Many Mac users get frustrated when trying to close or remove apps completely. It’s the only way to fully stop apps running in the background, but you can’t delete them directly from Launchpad. This often leads to the question, “Why is uninstalling apps on a Mac so tricky?” Taking the right steps can make the process much easier. This guide will help you understand how to uninstall apps on Mac without confusion.
Deleting apps on a Mac isn’t always simple. Some can be removed quickly, but others stay stuck. Here, we’ll show you how to get rid of all apps completely, even the ones that seem impossible to erase. With the right steps, you can free up space and make your Mac run better. Keep reading to find out how to uninstall apps on Mac effectively.
How to Remove Apps from Your Mac
There are many ways to delete apps from your Mac. You can try using a third-party uninstaller, Launchpad, Finder, or even the app’s own built-in uninstall feature. Each of these methods works in a slightly different way, so it’s a good idea to check them one by one. This way, you can choose the option that feels easiest and works best for your situation. Removing unused apps not only clears up space but also helps your Mac run faster and more smoothly. This section will show you how to uninstall apps on Mac using different methods.
Guide to Deleting Apps from Mac Quickly
- Remove apps from your Mac using CleanMyApp
- Delete apps on Mac through Launchpad
- Uninstall apps on Mac with Finder
- Use the app’s built-in uninstaller to remove software from Mac
Method 1: Use CleanMyApp to Uninstall Apps on Mac
There are a few methods to uninstall apps on a Mac. However, simply moving a program to the Trash does not fully remove it from your system. To clean your Mac properly, you also need to delete the leftover files that apps often leave behind, such as cache files, saved preferences, and hidden scripts that keep the app running in the background. Removing these extra files not only clears up space but also helps your Mac perform better and stay clutter-free. Using CleanMyApp makes it easy to learn how to uninstall apps on Mac completely.
When you uninstall an app on your Mac, some files don’t get removed with it. The leftover files from apps are often stored in many different folders on your Mac, like the Application Support folder. Searching for and removing all these files by yourself can be hard and takes a lot of time. This is why using a proper uninstaller tool can save you effort and keep your Mac clean. This is one of the most reliable ways for how to uninstall apps on Mac safely.
If you want an even easier way to uninstall apps, try using CleanMyApp. It’s a simple and powerful tool that scans your Mac for all files related to the app and removes everything with just one click. This makes cleaning up your Mac fast and stress-free. CleanMyApp is highly recommended if you’re unsure how to uninstall apps on Mac manually.
Once the software is installed, select the apps you want to remove. Next, click on Uninstall and then choose “Continue Uninstall.” It will instantly remove the app and all related files from your Mac, helping it run smoother and faster. This is a quick solution if you’re looking for how to uninstall apps on Mac.
Want an easy way to uninstall apps on your Mac? This method can help you do it quickly and without any hassle. If it works for you, why not share it with others so they can clean up their Macs too. This is one of the simplest ways for how to uninstall apps on Mac effectively.
Method 2: Uninstall Mac Apps Easily via Launchpad
If you’re looking for a quick way to remove apps, Launchpad can help. Normally, apps downloaded from the App Store or verified by your Mac can be uninstalled directly from Launchpad on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. This makes it an easy option for cleaning up your Mac without any extra tools. Launchpad is a simple solution for anyone learning how to uninstall apps on Mac.
Quick Guide to Deleting Mac Apps with Launchpad
- Click the Launchpad icon in the dock to open it.
- Find the app you want to remove.
- Hold down on the app until it wiggles and a small “X” appears.
- Press the “X” and confirm by clicking Delete.
To remove more apps, repeat the same process. However, apps not downloaded from the App Store usually don’t show the “X” button in Launchpad. In that case, use the next way to uninstall. This will help you get rid of all unwanted programs on your Mac. Try this method first if you’re figuring out how to uninstall apps on Mac.
Method 3: Remove Apps on Mac with Finder
If the app wasn’t installed from the App Store, you won’t see the “X” icon in Launchpad when you press and hold it. In such cases, you’ll need to try another method to remove the app from your Mac. Finder provides another useful option for how to uninstall apps on Mac.
You can use Finder to uninstall apps that don’t show the delete option in Launchpad. This method is simple and works well for apps downloaded from outside the App Store.
- Open Finder and click on the “Applications” folder.
- Find the app you want to delete from the list.
- Right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash.”
- Enter your Mac password if it asks for it.
- Right-click the Trash bin and choose “Empty Trash” to remove the app completely.
Once you follow these steps, removing stubborn apps becomes simple. These apps won’t trouble you again after this. The same steps can help you delete other files and even uninstall Grammarly on your Mac. So now, keeping your Mac clean and organized is much easier. Follow these steps if you want to know how to uninstall apps on Mac properly.
Method 4: Remove apps on Mac using their built-in uninstaller
Many programs are made with an uninstall button to give users a smoother experience. Using this built-in tool is the best way to delete the app completely from your Mac. It saves you time and avoids leaving behind hidden files. This method also reduces the risk of accidentally removing important system data. If available, built-in uninstallers are the easiest method for how to uninstall apps on Mac.
At times, an app’s uninstaller shows up as a folder named “App Name Uninstaller” or something close to that. You can find this folder by going to Finder and opening the Applications folder. Once you open it, look for the uninstaller file inside, click on it, and follow the instructions on the screen to completely delete the app.
If the app has its own uninstall button, open the app and check its menu or settings for the uninstall option. Once you find it, click on it to remove the app from your MacBook fully. This is another method to learn how to uninstall apps on Mac.
Pass these methods along to your friends so they can also easily uninstall programs from their Mac.
Easy ways to remove apps from Mac that can’t be deleted
Getting rid of apps on Mac isn’t always as easy as it seems. Sometimes, deleted apps still show up, or certain programs just won’t go away from Launchpad. So, how can you delete apps on Mac that refuse to uninstall from Launchpad? Don’t stress, we’re here with clear and simple fixes to help you out. Troubleshooting is sometimes necessary when learning how to uninstall apps on Mac.
Force stop and erase apps on Mac easily
It can be frustrating when you’re trying to delete an app from your Mac. You might see an error message that says, “The item can’t be moved to the Trash.” Don’t worry, we’ll help you fix this and remove the app for good. This guide will show you how to uninstall apps on Mac easily.
Most of the time, you can’t delete an app because it’s still open or stuck. To solve this, force quit the app first. After closing it, you should be able to remove it from your Mac.
Here’s how you can force quit an app that’s still running:
- Open Finder, go to Applications, then click on Utilities, and open Activity Monitor.
- Find the app you want to close from the list.
- Click on the app and press the X button at the top left of the Activity Monitor screen.
- A pop-up will appear, click Force Quit to stop the app.
If the first method doesn’t work, there’s another simple way to close stubborn apps. You can press Command + Option + Esc on your Mac, which is similar to Ctrl + Alt + Delete on Windows. This shortcut will bring up a window where you can force quit the app. Once it’s closed, go back to Finder and delete the app from there. This quick step makes the whole process much easier.
How to uninstall apps fully on Mac using Terminal
If you’re struggling to delete certain apps, there’s another way to fix it. Terminal on Mac is a tool where you can type commands to handle tasks. It can also help you remove stubborn apps that won’t go away using normal methods. This method works well if you’re comfortable using text commands. Terminal is a powerful option for how to uninstall apps on Mac when others fail.
Open Finder, go to Applications > Utilities, and then open Terminal.
Type this command carefully and press Return:
cd /Applications/
Now type the command below (leave a space after it), drag the app you want to delete into the Terminal window, and press Return:
sudo rm -rf
Enter your admin password when asked and press Return again to confirm.
The app is now fully removed from your Mac without leaving any leftover files.
How to Remove All Leftover Files to Fully Delete an App on Mac
You can delete apps on your Mac by moving them to the Trash using Launchpad, Finder, or the app’s own uninstall tool. But this doesn’t remove everything. The makers of the app don’t want you to erase all parts of it. So, some files are left on your Mac. These extra files might keep your settings or wait for you to open the app again someday. Cleaning leftovers is an important part of how to uninstall apps on Mac completely.
When you uninstall apps from your MacBook, some files like caches, preferences, and saved states may still remain on your system. To completely remove these apps and free up storage space, it’s recommended to either use a trusted app uninstaller or manually delete the leftover files.
This is an important step if you’re learning how to uninstall apps on Mac.
Here’s a simple method to delete leftover files after you remove an app from your Mac:
- Open Finder and click on “Go” at the top menu. Then pick “Go to Folder” from the list.
- Type ~/Library/ in the box and press “Go.”
- Look inside the Library folders and delete files that belong to the app you deleted. Check folders such as Saved Application State, Cookies, Application Scripts, Containers, Application Support, Caches, Logs, and Preferences.
Apps create many leftover files, and deleting all of them yourself can take a long time. So, it’s best to use a trusted app cleaner like CleanMyApp to save time and effort.
Summary and last ideas
If you want to delete programs from your Mac, this guide will show you how to do it step by step. It also explains how to remove apps that won’t delete through Launchpad or Finder. You’ll find simple methods to completely erase them and free up space on your Mac. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to uninstall apps on Mac.
By following these tips, you can keep your Mac clean and running smoothly without leftover files taking up storage or slowing things down. Remember, using a trusted uninstaller tool can save you time and effort, but if you prefer manual steps, this guide has covered that too. Hope this makes the whole process easy and stress-free for you so you can enjoy a faster and cleaner Mac experience.
Add comment