How to Uninstall Apps on a Mac

If your Mac is getting cluttered with apps you no longer use, you may be wondering how to remove them. Uninstalling an app can also help free up storage, make your Applications folder easier to manage, and remove software you tried but no longer need.

If you want to know how to uninstall apps on Mac, the process is usually straightforward. The right method depends on how the app was installed, so this guide explains the safe options and what to check before you delete anything.

What you’ll need

• Your Mac.
• An administrator password if macOS asks you to approve a change.
• Your app’s sign-in or license details if you may want to reinstall it later.

Step 1: Check whether the app has its own uninstaller

Some apps include a special uninstaller. This is often the best way to remove them because it can also take care of supporting files that belong to the app.

1. Open Finder from the Dock.
2. Select Applications in the sidebar. If it is not there, choose Go from the menu bar, then Applications.
3. Open the folder for the app, if it has one.
4. Look for an item named Uninstall, Uninstaller, or something similar.
5. If you find one, open it and follow the instructions on screen.

Some apps place their uninstaller directly in the Applications folder rather than inside a separate folder. If you cannot find one, check the app developer’s support website for removal instructions.

Good to know: Security software, printer utilities, and some professional apps may use their own uninstallers. Follow the developer’s instructions for these apps rather than simply dragging the app to the Trash.

Step 2: Remove an app using Finder

For many apps, you can uninstall them by moving the app to the Trash. This works for many apps you installed yourself, especially those downloaded from the web.

1. Open Finder.
2. Click Applications in the sidebar.
3. Find the app you want to remove.
4. Click the app once to select it.
5. Choose File from the menu bar, then select Move to Trash. You can also drag the app to the Trash in the Dock.
6. If asked, enter an administrator name and password or use Touch ID, if available.

The app is now in the Trash, but it has not been permanently deleted yet. Keep reading before emptying the Trash so you can check that you have selected the right item.

Careful: Do not delete apps you do not recognize, or items inside folders named System, Library, or similar. Some of these files are needed by macOS or other apps.

Step 3: Uninstall an app downloaded from the App Store

Apps from the Mac App Store can often be removed through Finder, just like other apps. You can also use Launchpad on Macs and macOS versions where it is available.

1. Open Launchpad if it is available on your Mac.
2. Find the app you want to remove. You may need to look through more than one page or use the search field.
3. If the app can be deleted this way, click and hold its icon until the icons begin to jiggle.
4. Click the Delete button, if one appears, then confirm if asked.

If no Delete button appears, use Finder instead: open Applications, select the app, and choose File > Move to Trash. Some built-in Apple apps cannot be removed.

Tip: Removing an app from your Mac does not usually cancel a subscription you pay for through that app. Check the subscription with the company or service that bills you.

Step 4: Empty the Trash when you’re sure

Moving an app to the Trash does not permanently remove it. You can restore it if you change your mind, as long as you have not emptied the Trash.

1. Click the Trash icon in the Dock.
2. Look through the contents and make sure you do not need anything there.
3. If you are happy to remove the items, choose Finder from the menu bar.
4. Select Empty Trash, then confirm if macOS asks.

You can also empty the Trash by Control-clicking its Dock icon and choosing Empty Trash. Once the Trash is emptied, restoring the app may require downloading or installing it again.

Step 5: Check for leftover app files only if needed

Some apps leave behind settings or support files after the main app is removed. These can include preferences, saved settings, or files that help the app work. They are not always large, and you do not need to remove them to uninstall the app.

If you want to check, start with the app developer’s own removal instructions. Avoid deleting unfamiliar folders manually, especially in your Mac’s Library folders.

1. Open Finder.
2. Choose Go from the menu bar, then select Go to Folder.
3. If the app developer has identified a specific support-file location, enter that exact location.
4. Review the named files carefully and follow the developer’s instructions before removing anything.

If you do not have clear instructions, it is safer to leave any leftover files alone. Removing the main app is usually enough for everyday purposes.

Troubleshooting: If you cannot uninstall an app

Move to Trash is dimmed or unavailable. The app may be part of macOS, or your account may not have permission to remove it. Check whether the app is built into macOS and whether you are using an administrator account.

Your Mac says the app is open. Quit the app first. Click its name in the menu bar and choose Quit, or press Command-Q while the app is active. If it still appears to be running, restart your Mac and try again.

The app asks for a password. Some apps need administrator permission to be removed. Use the password for an administrator account on the Mac. If it is a work or school Mac, ask the person who manages it before changing installed software.

The app returns after you delete it. Check whether it is being reinstalled by a management tool, another installer, or a companion app. Follow the developer’s removal instructions, or contact your workplace or school IT support if the Mac is managed.

A tidier Mac, one app at a time

You can remove many Mac apps by moving them from Applications to the Trash, but an app’s own uninstaller is the better choice when one is provided. Take a moment to check what you are removing, and your Mac will be easier to keep organized.