Have you ever uninstalled an app on your Mac, only to discover it‘s still taking up GBs of storage space? Or noticed old app icons lingering in your Launchpad months after you deleted them? Uninstalling Mac apps seems easy, but completely eradicating all traces of them takes some work.
In this guide, I‘ll show you the most effective methods for permanently deleting apps from your Mac, once and for all. By the end, you‘ll have the toolkit to reclaim precious drive space for the apps and media you actually use. Let‘s get started!
Why You Should Permanently Uninstall Apps
Before jumping into the how-to, you may be wondering…why bother fully uninstalling apps rather than just deleting the main program? Here are three compelling reasons:
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Free up storage space: The average Mac user has over 10GB of space taken up by unused apps and hidden files according to a 2022 CleanMyMac study. Removing them fully can provide a noticeable storage boost.
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Fix performance issues: Leftover junk files from uninstalled apps can slow down your system by overloading the drive and RAM usage. Deleting them prevents sluggish performance.
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Enhance security: Apps you no longer use can still harbor vulnerabilities allowing malware intrusions. Uninstalling them limits your exposure to hacks.
Review the apps you haven‘t opened in months or years – chances are good they are just wasting space and processing power right now. So let‘s change that!
launchpad: An Easy Starting Point for Removal
The Launchpad provides a simple way to uninstall apps downloaded from the App Store or as DMGs. To use it:
- Open Launchpad via the dock icon or gesture (pinch with thumb & 3 fingers on trackpad).
- Find the app you wish to delete. Tap and hold its icon until icons shake.
- Click the small "X" now appearing at the top left corner of the app icon.
- After removal completes, empty Trash to finalize the process.
While handy for quick deletions, Launchpad merely removes the main .app file, leaving behind hidden support components. So it works best for smaller, simpler apps.
For heavier programs with lots of background processes, we‘ll need…
Leveraging The App Store‘s Removal Powers
If you originally installed an app via the App Store, uninstalling it directly from there ensures everything gets removed:
- Launch App Store then click your account icon at the bottom.
- Select "Purchased" from the dropdown menu.
- Find the app you wish to remove from past purchases.
- Tap the cloud icon and choose "Delete App" instead of redownload.
Don‘t skip emptying the Trash afterward – this finishes eliminating the app data left behind after the Store uninstalls.
While handy for App Store-installed software, what about other programs? Keep reading!
Removing Apps Manually through Finder
For apps installed via methods like direct website downloads or CD installations, the Finder provides a DIY way to uninstall them:
- Open Finder and navigate to /Applications in the sidebar.
- Locate the app you wish to remove. Drag its icon onto the Trash can.
- With the app deleted from Applications, open your Trash and select "Empty Trash" to complete the process.
I‘ll be honest though – moving an app to the Trash really only deletes the main .app bundle. It leaves frameworks, hidden support directories, preferences and other traces behind.
To really wipe an app off your Mac for good, we need…
Specialized Uninstaller Apps
The best way to thoroughly remove all vestiges of an application from caches to frameworks is using a dedicated uninstall/cleaning utility. These handy tools automatically locate and delete everything related to an app in one swoop.
| Uninstaller | Price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| AppCleaner | Free | Simple drag & drop interface | Limited to basic uninstalls only |
| CleanMyMac X | $40/year | Variety of Mac cleaning tools included | On the pricey side |
| AppTrap | $30 one-time | Cleverly isolates new files apps make | Manual scan required to remove Apps |
Based on ease of use and price, I recommend AppCleaner to most users. Simply drag the app you want gone onto AppCleaner, then click "Delete" after scanning completes to obliterate it from your system. It‘s that simple!
[screenshot showcasing AppCleaner interface]While great for removing apps themselves, traces can still get left in hidden user libraries. Read on to access those!
Accessing Hidden Folders with Finder
Some apps scatter files into hidden folders like /Library or your /Users/(username)/Library areas. Here is how to open these folders in Finder:
- Hit Command+Shift+G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog box.
- Type in the /Library path you want such as:
/Users/yourname/Library(your user Library)~/Library(main system Library)
- Hit Enter and delete any unwanted app folders/files found here.
Be careful in Libraries as they contain both app data AND crucial system files. Refer to documentation if uncertain about deleting something.
With standalone apps fully removed now, let‘s finish by covering uninstalling stubborn installs left behind by external installers…
Terminal Commands for Power Users
For advanced Mac users comfortable using Terminal, the Unix shell provides unlimited access for finding vestigial app files and obliterating them.
Helpful Terminal uninstall commands include:
# Show all hidden files in Finder
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true
# Hide files when done
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool false# Delete app bundle & data
sudo rm -rf /Applications/AppName.app# Remove associated user data
sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/AppName Only use Terminal removal commands if you have experience working with Terminal. But for power users, its unfettered file access helps remove stubborn apps other methods can‘t touch.
FAQ and Final Words
Hopefully by giving you a look "under the hood" at everything that runs apps on a Mac, this guide has demystified what needs to happen to fully uninstall them.
Here are answers to some common uninstall questions:
Do I need third party apps to uninstall Mac software?
In most cases, no – App Store, Finder, and Launchpad removals work fine for simpler programs. Uninstallers offer benefits when wiping more complex suites like Adobe CS or Office.
Where do I find leftover hidden files after deleting?
Check folders like /Library, ~/Library (your user Library) and /Users/(username) via Finder > Go > Go to Folder after standard uninstalls.
Is it the same for all Mac OS versions?
The Finder and App Store uninstall methods work reliably back through OS X Lion. Only pre-2007 OSes might vary.
Thanks for learning the ins and outs of permanent Mac app removal with me! Please drop me a line if you have any other questions. Now it‘s time to breathe new life into your Mac by deleting those dormant apps for good.
