Ultimate Tricks for Uninstalling Software on Your Mac System

What to Know

• Drag the app to the Trash Can. Or, openFinder >Applications > select app >File >Move to Trash .
• Apps with uninstall applications:Applications > app folder > double-click the file calledUninstall inside the folder.
• App Store apps:LaunchPad > click and hold the app icon > clickX >Delete to confirm.

This article explains how to delete and uninstall apps on the Mac using several methods. Information covers Mac OS X Lion and later macOS versions.

Power Tools add-on for Google Sheets, Lifetime subscription

Uninstall Apps Using the Trash Can

The easiest way to uninstall an app or program from your Mac is by using the trash can located on the Dock.

Drag the application from wherever it is located on your Mac and drop it on the trash can. When you empty the trash, your Mac deletes it.

How to Delete Apps on a Mac That Won’t Delete

Removing Apps With the Finder

The drag-and-drop method of deleting apps with the trash can doesn’t work for all apps, but when you combine it with the Finder, you can delete almost any application. Here’s how:

1. Open a Finder window by selectingFile >New Finder Window in the Apple menu bar or by clicking theFinder icon on the Dock.
   
2. ClickApplications in the left panel of the Finder window to view the installed applications on your computer.
   
3. Click theApplication that you want to uninstall.
4. ClickFile from the drop-down menu in the upper-left corner of the screen.
5. ClickMove to Trash .
6. Right-click theTrash icon in the Dock.
   How to Right-Click on a Mac
7. ClickEmpty Trash in the pop-up menu to remove the application from your Mac.
   

Uninstall Apps Using an Uninstaller

Certain apps may include an Uninstall tool inside their Application folder. In this case, you want to uninstall using that tool.

These are often large apps like Creative Cloud products from Adobe or Valve’s Steam client. To ensure that they completely uninstall from your computer, use the uninstaller if it’s included with the application.

1. Open Finder window > clickApplications to view all the apps on your Mac.
2. Click the application you want to uninstall. A folder opens to show its contents, including an Uninstall program if one exists.
3. Double-click the file entitledUninstall inside the folder.
   
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the application. The directions vary depending on the program you’re deleting.

Uninstall Apps Using Launchpad

Another option for uninstalling apps on a Mac is by using the Launchpad. This is an easy no-fuss way to uninstall the programs that you purchase from the App Store.

1. Click theLaunchpad icon on Dock.
2. Locate the app you want to delete by entering its name in the search field at the top of the screen or by scrolling the pages of the Launchpad.
3. Click and hold the app until all the apps start to shake.
4. When the icon starts shaking, click theX that appears next to it.
   If there is no X next to the app, you can’t delete it through the launchpad. It may be required by the operating system or have an uninstall option you need to use.
5. ClickDelete to confirm the app’s removal.

How to Delete Apps From a MacBook

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for letting us know!

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

Subscribe

Tell us why!

Other Not enough details Hard to understand

Submit