Uninstalling applications from your Mac is a straightforward process that helps free up valuable storage space and keep your system running smoothly. Whether you’ve downloaded an app from the App Store or installed it from the internet, knowing how to properly remove it is essential. This guide will walk you through the most effective methods to uninstall programs on your Mac, ensuring a clean and efficient removal.
Uninstalling Apps Downloaded from the App Store via Launchpad
Launchpad provides an easy way to delete applications you’ve obtained directly from the Mac App Store. This method is quick and ideal for managing your App Store downloads.
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Quit the Application: Before attempting to uninstall, ensure the application is completely closed. If the app is running, right-click its icon in the Dock and select “Quit”.
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Open Launchpad: Access Launchpad by clicking its icon in the Dock. It resembles a rocket ship. Alternatively, you can open it from your Applications folder. Another quick way to open Launchpad is by pinching closed with your thumb and three fingers on your trackpad.
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Locate the App: Browse through your Launchpad pages to find the application you wish to uninstall. If you have many apps, use the search bar at the top of the Launchpad window and type the app’s name to quickly locate it. You can navigate between pages by clicking the dots at the bottom of the screen or swiping left or right on your trackpad with two fingers.
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Enter Jiggle Mode: Press and hold the Option key, or click and hold any app icon until all the icons start to jiggle. This indicates you’ve entered deletion mode.
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Delete the App: Apps downloaded from the App Store will display a Delete button (an “X” icon) next to their icon in jiggle mode. Click the Delete button next to the application you want to remove.
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Confirm Deletion: A confirmation dialog box will appear asking, “Are you sure you want to delete [App Name]?”. Click Delete to proceed with the uninstallation. The app will be immediately removed from your Mac.
Image alt text: Deleting an application from Launchpad on macOS, showing the delete button (X icon) and confirmation dialog.
When You Can’t Uninstall from Launchpad
It’s important to note that the Delete button only appears for applications installed from the App Store. For programs installed from other sources, such as directly from a developer’s website or using a disk image, you’ll need to use the Finder method described below.
Uninstalling Programs Using Finder: The Universal Method
The Finder method is a more universal approach and works for uninstalling most applications on your Mac, regardless of their source. This method involves moving the application to the Trash.
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Quit the Application: Ensure the program you intend to uninstall is not running. Quit the app by right-clicking its icon in the Dock and selecting “Quit”.
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Open Finder: Switch to Finder by clicking on your desktop or by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock, which looks like a blue and white smiling face.
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Navigate to the Applications Folder: In the Finder window, locate the Applications folder. You can find it in the sidebar of any Finder window. Alternatively, you can go to the menu bar and select Go > Applications, or use Spotlight search (Command + Spacebar) to find and open the Applications folder.
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Locate and Select the Application: Scroll through the Applications folder and find the program you wish to uninstall. Click on the application icon to select it.
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Move to Trash: There are several ways to move the application to the Trash:
- Drag and Drop: Click and drag the application icon directly to the Trash icon in your Dock.
- File Menu: With the application selected, go to the menu bar and choose File > Move to Trash.
- Keyboard Shortcut: Select the application and press Command + Delete (⌘ + ⌫) keys on your keyboard.
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Provide Administrator Credentials (If Required): You might be prompted to enter your administrator username and password to confirm the move to Trash. This is usually the same username and password you use to log in to your Mac. Enter your credentials and click “OK”.
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Empty the Trash: Moving the app to the Trash only places it there temporarily. To completely uninstall the program and free up storage space, you need to empty the Trash. Go to the Finder menu in the menu bar and select Empty Trash.
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Confirm Empty Trash: A dialog box will appear asking, “Are you sure you want to permanently erase the items in the Trash?”. Click Empty Trash to finalize the uninstallation.
Image alt text: The Trash icon in the Dock on a macOS desktop, highlighting the process of emptying the trash to uninstall applications.
When You Can’t Uninstall from Finder
There are situations where you might encounter difficulties uninstalling an application using the Finder:
- System-Required Apps: macOS prevents you from deleting apps that are essential for the system to function correctly. These include built-in apps like Mail, Safari, Messages, and other core macOS applications. These apps generally cannot be uninstalled.
- App in Use: If you receive a message stating that the app is in use and cannot be moved to the Trash, ensure the application and any related processes are completely closed. If necessary, restart your Mac and try the uninstallation process again. You can also try starting your Mac in Safe Mode and then attempting to uninstall the application.
Additional Tips for Complete Uninstallation
- Check for Uninstaller Applications: Some applications, especially larger or more complex software, come with their own dedicated uninstaller program. Look for an “Uninstall” application within the application folder or in your Applications folder. If an uninstaller is provided, it’s recommended to use it as it may remove associated files that simple deletion might leave behind.
- Subscription Management: Uninstalling an app does not automatically cancel any subscriptions you may have purchased through it. To manage or cancel subscriptions associated with App Store apps, you need to do so through your Apple ID settings.
- Removing Leftover Files (Advanced): In most cases, the methods above are sufficient for uninstalling applications. However, some applications might leave behind preference files or support files in your Library folders. For a truly complete removal, advanced users can manually search for and delete these files, but this is generally not necessary for most users and should be done with caution.
By following these methods, you can effectively uninstall programs on your Mac, reclaim storage space, and maintain an organized and efficient system.
