Dec 06, 2019 Click next to the app that you want to delete, then click Delete to confirm. The app is deleted immediately. Apps that don't show either didn't come from the App Store or are required by your Mac. To delete an app that didn't come from the App Store, use the Finder instead. App Cleaner & Uninstaller finds all types of startup programs on Mac and allows you to easily disable or enable them. Follow this link to download the app for free. Run App Cleaner & Uninstaller. Go to the Startup Programs section. Select unneeded apps and switch.
Quick question – how do you uninstall programs on Mac?
If your answer is to drag the app to the Trash, we’re sorry to say that you’ve been doing it wrong.
You probably know or guess that you can remove apps by dragging them to the Trash bin, but it is not quite so. Dragging normal files like documents and movies to the Trash works fine. But doing the same for apps leaves gigabytes of leftover junk files on your hard drive. We’re going to show you what gets left behind and what you can do to completely uninstall apps from here on out.
How to uninstall on Mac
If you are trying to delete an old application, reinstall a corrupted software or just free up disk space on your Mac, removing all components of the program is important. These include the app, its preferences and support files, and sometimes other hidden files.
To completely uninstall a program on Mac you have to choose one of three options:
- Using Trash.
- Using Launchpad.
- Using a native uninstaller
The ways mentioned above include navigating your Mac’s in search of the apps you want to remove and then locating their remaining data. The latter can take even more place than the app itself and can be stored anywhere in your folders.
I prefer clearing my Mac from apps using special software made for this particular task - CleanMyMac X. It’s Uninstaller feature, is an app-killer that sweeps away any program you don’t want on your Mac and clears remaining junk.
Now let’s go ahead and delete some apps!
1. Uninstall Mac apps using Trash
Whether you're running macOS Catalina or an earlier macOS, like Mojave or Sierra, the process of manually uninstalling remains relatively similar. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open Finder.
- Go to Applications.
- Choose the app you want to delete.
- Press Command + Delete (⌘⌫).
- Open Trash.
- Click the Empty button in the upper-right corner of the window.
And the app is gone.
Even uninstalling apps on macOS Catalina requires getting rid of leftovers, despite the fact that it's the latest and the most sophisticated system for Mac. Apple has done such a good job on macOS 10.15 but left this unfortunate issue unresolved for another year.
To completely remove programs from Mac manually, you have to find all the associated files that come along with the app. That means not just dragging the app icon to the Trash from your Applications folder, but searching the depths of the system files on your Mac.
We’re going to reveal the locations of the most common files that are associated with apps. To remove the app leftovers from your Mac just navigate to each of these folders and hunt for the app you want to remove. If you find files with the app name you can send them to the Trash.
So, when uninstalling any software, you have to go over each of these folders one by one and remove the following:
- Binary and dock icons are located in
/Applications/
- Application support files are located in
~/Library/Application
- Support Caches can be found in
/Library/Caches/
and~/Library/Caches
- Plugins are located in
~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/
- Library can be found in
~/Library/
- App preferences are located in
~/Library/Preferences/
- Crashes are found in
~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter/
- App saved states are located in
~/Library/Saved Application State/
There are many more hidden files, some of which cannot be accessed by the user. And macOS/OS X will prevent you from deleting some app files.
As you can see, it's not that easy to uninstall applications Mac doesn't need, even when you know what to do. By the way, be sure to look for the name of the app in the file names of the files you remove. Don’t remove anything you don’t know! Do your due diligence before removing something from your system.
When you delete software on Mac manually, be sure only to remove an app file or folder when you’re sure of what it is. Look at the name very carefully before you nuke it. Removing the wrong files could cause problems with your system.
There are three main reasons to replace a drive:. If Finder seems to take a while to load, file transfer is slow, or programs take a while to respond – you may be interested in upgrading your Mac’s hard drive. Will old mac software work on new systems. If you find that launching programs is horrendously slow or that you experience crashes and freezes, a RAM upgrade may need to be in the works. To check RAM usage, try an app like.On the other hand but similarly related, hard drives also are a major player in a computer’s performance.
Remember, please be careful when deleting system files — you never know how it will affect your Mac if you remove the wrong ones (or the right ones for that matter!).
2. Uninstall Mac programs with Launchpad
How to uninstall on Mac is using the Launchpad? It's easy and this manual method works like this:
- Click Launchpad icon in your Mac's Dock.
- Find the app you want to delete.
- Click and hold the app until it starts shaking.
- Click X in the top-left corner of the app icon.
- Click Delete.
This will uninstall the app from your Mac. However, keep in mind that after removing the program, you should also delete its leftovers as we've described above.
Can't delete apps on Mac?
Unfortunately, manual methods won’t get everything. Some apps are pre-installed macOS components and protected by the system while others will refuse to delete because they are already open (even though that’s often not true).
So, how to delete the apps on Mac that won't delete? You can try the manual removal after force quitting the app in question (press Command-Option-Esc and if the app is on the list shut it down) or rebooting your Mac.
If you're still unable to delete apps on Mac or if you’re worried you won't do it correctly and want a safer alternative, there’s the easy method of uninstalling apps from your Mac so you don't have to force delete applications. It actually does a better (and safer) job and in a fraction of the time. Read on to learn how to delete apps on Mac automatically.
3. Uninstall apps with CleanMyMac X
When I referred to the easy method of uninstalling apps, I meant using CleanMyMac X. As for me, deleting apps is a pretty tiresome task. I’ve always put away this chore, as it will waste a huge amount of my time. But, my Mac was running low on free storage, so I decided to try CleanMyMac X to fix this problem and uninstall programs on Mac with ease. I used the Uninstaller module to get rid of multiple apps at once. Here’s what you need to do:
- Download CleanMyMac X, install, and launch it (it takes less than a minute).
- Go to Uninstaller.
- Choose All Applications.
- Check the boxes next to the app you want to remove.
- Press Uninstall.
As you can see, CleanMyMac X shows precisely how much place each app takes, so it’s easier to detect the heaviest programs. Another benefit is that you can bulk uninstall programs on Mac without dragging each app and its files to the Trash.
Is it possible to delete system files on Mac?
CleanMyMac X doesn’t let you delete system apps like Safari. Neither of Mac cleaners can do that. But, CleanMyMac X allows you to delete the data associated with system apps and reset them completely. Click CleanMyMac X’s menu in the upper-left corner and choose Preferences. Go to Ignore List and click Uninstaller. Here uncheck the box next to “Ignore system applications.”
Now, you can close Preferences and go back to Uninstaller. Click ► next to the app's icon to show its files. Then check the data you want to delete and choose Reset from the drop-down list next to the app’s icon. Then press Remove.
It will help to clear some space on your Mac. Note that your app logs may also disappear after the reset.
4. Use the native uninstaller
Many applications are designed to clean after themselves. They come with a built-in uninstaller — a self-destroying utility bundled with the main app. This is mostly true for third-party apps that you download from the internet. That’s why native uninstallers remain more of a Windows thing, not much heard of in the Mac world.
The original uninstallers can be found in Finder > Applications. If your app looks like a folder (within the Applications folder) most likely it will have a separate uninstaller. The name will read [Your app] Uninstaller or Uninstall [Your App].
Open the folder, find the launcher, and just follow the onscreen instructions. After the removal is complete, you can enjoy your extra storage space!
Clear app leftovers: preferences files and caches
No sane developer wants people to delete their application. As your desperate ex, they would do everything to stay on your Mac, like planting pieces of their software around your Mac so one day they can return. Support files, preference files, and caches — all these will likely remain even if you’ve deleted the app itself.
Here I’ll show you how to root out these remaining traces. I’ll use the Telegram app as an example.
Delete application support files
Click on Finder > Go to Folder… (in the upper menu).
Paste in: ~/Library/Application Support/Your App Name
In my case its: ~/Library/Application Support/Telegram
Now, delete the content of this folder.
Delete application Preferences
The Preferences folder contains your user settings. These files are tiny but there’s no reason not to delete them, just out of principle.
Click on Finder > Go to Folder…
Paste in: ~/Library/Preferences/
Open the folder. Now type the name of your app in the search bar. Click to search 'Preferences.” Delete the found items.
Delete the caches
In the same vein, you’ll have to delete the remaining app caches.
This time, use the following command to paste in Finder > Go to Folder..
Paste this: ~/Library/Caches/Your App Name
Note: In some cases, you need to search for the app developer's name, rather than the name of the app.
Delete leftovers with CleanMyMac X
If you’ve been doing a 'spring cleaning' in your Applications folder, chances are some files are still left somewhere in your Mac’s system. CleanMyMac X detects and collects them into the Leftovers tab.
Go to Uninstaller once again and select Leftovers. Select all the remaining files and press Uninstall to say goodbye to the app remains.
Now you are just as good at uninstalling applications on Mac as any Apple engineer. Hopefully, you now have plenty of free space. Don't miss a few related articles below.
These might also interest you:
By Tasnia Salinas, on January 27, 2020, in Mac Uninstaller
Summary: In this article, we show you How To Clean Uninstall All Unwanted/Outdated Programs on macOS Catalina with the best Mac App Uninstaller - Omni Remover. Make sure you have downloaded the latest version here before continuing.
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To uninstall or remove programs from your Mac is not piece of cake as you would think, as there are some roguish apps, like MacKeeper and SyphonInject. macOS doesn't have standalone App Uninstaller Programs like Windows does. If you just switched from Windows PC to macOS, or somehow you are new to Mac, you may feel confused as there is no Uninstall Programs from My Mac option. You're not alone. Even senior Mac users may have trouble of uninstalling applications, programs, extentions and widgets from their Mac computers.
macOS Catalina (macOS 10.15) has thoroughly ended support on 32-bit applications and also caused tremendous disaster on large amount of commonly used programs (like Adobe Creative Cloud, MicroSoft Office) due to its newly enhanced security gateway technology. In case you may have such a Mac App Cannot Be Opened Issue, or you simply want to get rid of a retired program on a Mac, we are going to show you how to uninstall programs on a Mac (4 Best Mac Programs Uninstall Methods Involved).
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Table of Content: How To Uninstall Programs on macOS Catalina
Part 1: How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Catalina in LaunchPad
Apple App Store offers millions of applications to download and install on your Mac, and if you feel some programs are useless any more, or their trial period is over, or you've found better alternatives, you can uninstall these Unwanted/Outdated programs with ease. Don't go that hurry to remove any programs on your Mac as sometimes your operation may cause troubles. Here are some checkpoints you'd better have a look before starting.
What You Need to Know Before Uninstalling Programs on Mac
- Mac App Removal is Permanant - To uninstall programs on a Mac, in most cases, it's permanent deletion. So make sure you have a backup copy of the program that you want to get rid of.
- Take a look on program remnant junk - By uninstalling programs on a Mac, you have good chance that a large amount of caches and leftover junk may remain and occupy your hard drive storage.
- Don't Uninstall macOS Pre-installed Programs - You can't uninstall programs that come as part of macOS. For instance, iTunes on macOS Mojave and earlier versions, Quick Time, Safari, Mail, App Store, etc, unless you use some 'hacking' skills via command line [Always Be Careful and Know Exactly What You're Doing].
The way to install app programs on a Mac is versatile. For example, you can buy and download apps programs from Apple App Store, install apps from a disc, or install third party software downloaded directly from developer homepage (Make sure the app you try to install is from an unidentified developer). That's the reason the method of uninstalling programs on your Mac varies. If your app programs are downloaded from App Store, you can uninstall them like deleting an app from your iPhone or iPad.
The new Apple Music app is the ultimate music streaming experience on Mac. 1 Explore a library of 60 million songs, discover new artists and tracks, find the perfect playlist, download and listen offline, or enjoy all the music you’ve collected over the years. And find it all in your music library on all your devices. Oct 30, 2019 Open the iTunes Store app. Scroll down and tap your Apple ID then select View Apple ID. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password. Beneath iTunes in the Cloud, tap Hidden Purchases. Find your purchased music and tap the cloud icon to unhide it. View your hidden purchases from the iTunes in the cloud section. How to unhide purchases on a Mac or PC. ITunes is the world's easiest way to organize and add to your digital media collection. We are unable to find iTunes on your computer. To download from the iTunes Store, get iTunes now. Already have iTunes? Click I Have iTunes to open it now. Browse Mac App Store. Looking for Mac apps? Try the Mac App. Nov 15, 2019 With macOS Catalina, your iTunes media library is now available in the Apple Music app, Apple TV app, Apple Books app, and Apple Podcasts app. And Finder is where you can manage and sync content on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. https://avatarlucky.netlify.app/itunes-app-disappeared-from-mac.html. Oct 22, 2019 Installed macOS Catalina on my Mac Book Pro and lost the iTunes app in dashboard. How do I get iTunes App back? Also, will Photos library ever stop updating? MacBook Pro 15', macOS 10.15 Posted on Oct 20, 2019 4:06 AM. Reply I have this question too (5) I.
How-To Steps To Uninstall Unwanted/Outdated Programs on Mac Catalina
Step 1:
On your Mac, Open Launchpad by click it on Docker:
- 2
Step 2:
Long press the program icon that you want to get rid of on your Mac for 2-3 seconds > You'll see all these app icons get giggling > click the Delete button to uninstall this programs on your Mac.
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Part 2: How To Uninstall Unwanted Programs on Mac Catalina in Finder
If you find there is no Delete icon on the jiggling apps you want to uninstall, it means these programs were downloaded from Internet or installed via disc/thumb drive. If so, you can open Finder > on Finder sidebar, click Applications, then drag the apps you don't need to Trash. Or, simple click context menu for that app, and click Move To Trash to uninstall this program from your Mac.
Most macOS software programs run maintenance support scripts, generate running log, and store cache data at predefined intervals. So to uninstall programs on a Mac isn't as straightforward as you would think. When you drag an unwanted/outdated program from Applications Folder to Trash, the main app may be gone, but many associated files and folders are left behind. You can easily delete them since it's just a matter of locating the program support files and removing those as well.
How-To Steps To Uninstall Unwanted/Outdated Programs on Mac Catalina
How To Remove Programs From Mac
Step 1:
Open Finder app on your Mac > Applications > Find the programs that you want to remove:
- 2
Step 2:
Right click the program icon > Click Move To Trash to delete this program on your Mac:
- 3
Step 3:
Open Finder > in Menu, click Go > enter
~/Library
: - 4
Step 4:
Go inside of these application support data folders and search/delete for any files that are associated with the programs you want to uninstall: Application Support | Caches | Containers | Frameworks | Logs | Preferences | Saved | Application State | WebKit
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Part 3: How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Catalina Using Command Line
Uninstalling programs from Mac through Command Line/Terminal is, in most cases, for advanced Mac users who have advanced knowledge of Mac OS X. Only if you are Command Line expert and know exactly what you are doing, then you can have a try with these steps to remove your programs completely on a Mac. Don't Try this if you don't fully understand the syntax used in Command Line (How To Uninstall Xcode Command Line Tool).
How-To Steps To Uninstall Unwanted Programs on Mac Using Command Line
Step 1:
Trash the known application program files from your Mac by following steps mentioned above > Open Terminal:
- 2
Step 2:
Make sure you're logging in your Mac with Admin account > Use this syntax to find remnant components
mdfind -name [application name]
: - 3
Step 3:
Remove associated files from system locations with rm:
sudo rm -rf /Whatever
> Repeat as necessary with associated component files returned bymdfind
:
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Part 4: How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Catalina Using Omni Remover
Uninstalling software on Mac OS X is generally simple and straightforward, as most programs don't run background components or alter system settings files (like the Registry on Windows). However, in rare cases, if you want to remove an old, malfunctioning or corrupt program, reinstall a software to fresh register number or you need to free up space on your Mac, you hardly get a satisfied without the help from third party but professional Uninstaller Apps.
Omni Remover is what you need. This neat and agile Mac App Uninstaller program aims to ease up the pain in macOS program uninstalling and cleaning. With it, you can easy remove unwanted apps by dragging-n-dropping, while the extraordinary part is, it will automatically start scanning app leftovers, remaining caches, orphaned or corrupt junks, so as to give you complete Mac App Uninstalling solution.
How-To Steps To Uninstall Unwanted Programs on Mac Using Omni Remover
Step 1:
Free Download Omni Remover on your Mac (Compatible with all recent macOS like macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, etc.) > Open Omni Remover.
How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Step 1 Step 2:
Choose App Uninstall in Omni Remover > Select the program you want to delete > Check the basic information, such as program version number, developer, app size (Take Chrome as an example, original install space is 403.6MB), etc.
How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Catalina Step 2 Step 3:
Click Scan to browse program cache junk, downloaded support files, and all other related remnants.
How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Catalina Step 3 Step 4:
Omni Remover will scan all this program related app junk on macOS system > After a second, you can check how much storage space (2.2GB on our end) could be reclaimed by removing this bloated program from your Mac > click Clean to continue:
How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Step 4 Step 5:
After a few seconds, Omni Remover will finish uninstalling programs from your Mac.
How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Step 5
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Part 5: More Helpful macOS Programs Removal Tips
A software program on macOS can hardly working smoothly without generating cache, cookie and other temporary application files. So it's recommended to get an expert Mac App Cleaner and Uninstaller software to keep your mac running fast and light. Get impressed by the Omni Remover cleaning result? Check all Mac App Cleaning and Uninstalling features in Omni Remover.
General Tips for Freeing Up Space on Mac:
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Unless the program you just uninstalled is downloaded from App Store, otherwise, the removal of your apps would be permanent. So alway make sure you can source of setup file for your removed apps, or create a backup before uninstalling. At last, we recommend you to download Omni Remover to start completely uninstalling Google Chrome from your Mac. Free Download >
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