Note (September 2026): An earlier version said the Library folder is hidden by default in Mac OS X 10.6; it has been hidden by default since Mac OS X 10.7 Lion (2011). Folder paths in the article have also been corrected.
To uninstall an app on a Mac, open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar and drag the app to the Trash (or Control-click it and choose Move to Trash). If the app came with an “Uninstall” or “Uninstaller” tool, run that instead. According to Apple, the app is permanently removed the next time the Trash is emptied.
Key Takeaways
- Apple’s standard method is Finder > Applications > drag the app to the Trash, then empty the Trash.
- If an app folder contains an uninstaller, Apple recommends running it rather than dragging the app away.
- Apps that macOS requires, such as Mail, Safari, Music, Notes and Maps, cannot be uninstalled.
- Leftover settings and support files live in the hidden ~/Library folder (hidden by default since Mac OS X 10.7 Lion).
- System Settings > General > Storage shows what is using space and can empty the Trash automatically after 30 days.
Apple is one of the premier and most sought after brand when it comes to technology. Their signature iPhone, iPad, iPod, and MacBook invite a long queue whenever a new version is launched. A common problem across these devices is running short of storage space, which is a different thing from memory (RAM): storage holds apps and files, while memory holds whatever is currently running.
It is not possible to upgrade to a new model every time there is a new launch, however, what is feasible is that you can make space in your iPhone or MacBook for it to function smoothly.
More often than not, people download many apps on their mobile or laptop which in the long run occupy more space than is essential. This causes the system to slow down, interrupting essential work. Handing over your phone to a kid or an adolescent can often lead to a memory shortage in your Mac, leading you to frustration as applications may take an eternity to open.
This issue can be eased by uninstalling the apps you no longer use and, for large apps, removing the support files they leave behind. However, not all people are tech savvy and can manage to uninstall unwanted apps on MacBook. Here’s a step-by-step guide, based on Apple’s own instructions, to help you clean up disk space on your Mac.
Tips for Uninstalling Apps on Mac
Uninstalling apps is sometimes essential for upgrading to a better and latest software. Though uninstalling software on macOS is as simple as moving the program from the Applications folder to the Trash, some residual files can keep occupying disk space. It is therefore worth checking for leftover components after removing a large app.
The various components include, apart from the application, the help products, hidden files and/or kernel extensions. Many Mac users are found guilty of downloading a large number of apps which often go unused, just occupying a large amount of storage space.
You can easily find out large Mac programs which you hardly use and uninstall them to free disc space in your system. Here are a few important tips to help you uninstall programs on Mac.
- While installing any new app or program on your Mac, make a note of the uninstalling instructions.
- Check the Trash before you start: when it is emptied, everything in it, including the removed app, is erased permanently, so move out any file you still need.
- Always log on as the computer’s administrator while uninstalling apps.
- If opting for a 3rd party uninstall, read the fine print, as some developers charge for their software.
- Often file sharing takes place between suites of software from a single developer. In this case, it is important to remove files carefully as it may affect other programs too.
- If even after uninstalling of program, the icon is still seen in the dock, you can simply drag it off the dock to remove it completely.
- You can leave the preference files in case you ever want to reinstall the same software at a later time. In this case, you would not be required to set the preferences.
1] How is Deleting Apps in Mac Different from that in Windows?
Having a number of apps on the system invariably leads to it slowing down. In the case of Windows, programs are installed and often even removed using special installing systems.
Due to some flaws in the OS, software developers were able to install fragmented pieces of their apps across the C: boot drive. The obvious disadvantages include security concerns as well as difficulty in uninstalling executable programs in Windows.
Unlike Windows, Mac functions differently. The UNIX way of separating system files in MacOS X launched by Apple in 2001 from user’s working space is different from Windows drastically.
Apps are usually stored in the /Applications folder, while their settings (preference files) are kept in ~/Library/Preferences. Additional supporting files are stored in ~/Library/Application Support and /Library/Application Support. In Finder, the apps appear under Applications in the sidebar.
The application can be launched by double-clicking on the app’s icon or clicking once on the shortcut in the Dock. To uninstall most apps in macOS, drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash; according to Apple, the app is permanently removed the next time the Trash is emptied. However, some Mac programs are stubborn: some ship with their own uninstaller, and apps that macOS requires, such as Mail and Safari, cannot be removed at all.
2] How to Completely Remove a Program in Mac?
Though deleting programs is extremely easy in Mac compared to Windows, sometimes it is not enough. To make space on your Mac and speed it up, you need to completely delete or uninstall unwanted programs from Mac. This is so because sometimes, apps might have few files scattered around at different places on the Mac.
In such a case, you are required to delete the preference files of the app from the Library folder on your Mac. Follow these steps to completely remove the program from Mac:
- To reach the user Library folder (hidden by default since Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, released in July 2011, but easy to reveal), click the desktop or a Finder window, press and hold the Option key, then open the Go menu in the top menu bar.
- Click the Library option, which appears in the Go menu only while Option is held, to open the folder. Alternatively, choose Go > Go to Folder and type ~/Library.
- Scroll through the entire folder and search for the folder related to the application you wish to uninstall.
- Open Application Support directories through the finder. Search for the folder named after the app (or its developer) you want to delete, move it to the Trash, and leave alone any folder you do not recognize.
3] Apps for Deleting Programs in Mac
If things were as easy as they sound, life wouldn’t be that difficult. Deleting apps is easier said than done. Finding remnants of the program in obscure corners of the computer, sifting through numerous files looking for a particular folder requires infinite levels of patience.
Some of the files are created by programs on the hard disk which are invisible. Finding and deleting them is a difficult task. However, there are a number of third-party programs, some of them free, that can help you remove an app and its leftovers from your Mac. Names that have circulated for years include AppCleaner, Uninstaller, AppZapper, CleanApp, AppTrap, AppDelete and RAW App Remover. Not all of them are necessarily still maintained, so confirm that a tool supports your macOS version before installing it; as of October 2026, AppCleaner’s developer, FreeMacSoft, lists version 3.7 for macOS 15 and later.
How Do You Uninstall an App on a Mac Step by Step?
Apple’s Mac User Guide describes the same core method for every macOS version from macOS High Sierra through macOS 27 Golden Gate, the current release as of October 2026 (released on September 14, 2026).
- Click the Finder icon in the Dock, then click Applications in the Finder sidebar.
- If the app is inside a folder, open the folder and look for an item called “Uninstall [App]” or “[App] Uninstaller”. If one is there, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
- If there is no uninstaller, drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash at the end of the Dock, or Control-click the app and choose Move to Trash.
- Empty the Trash. Apple notes that the app is permanently removed from the Mac the next time you or the Finder empties the Trash.
If macOS reports that the app is in use, Apple advises restarting the Mac or starting up in safe mode, then trying again.
How Do You Delete Apps Downloaded From the App Store?
Apps from the Mac App Store are removed the same way. Apple’s App Store guide says to click Applications in the Finder sidebar, Control-click the app icon and choose Move to Trash. Apple’s guide also explains how to reinstall apps downloaded from the App Store.
Since macOS Tahoe 26 (released September 15, 2025), Launchpad has been replaced by a new Apps view, so older advice that relies on Launchpad may not match newer Macs. The Finder method works on all current versions.
Which Mac Apps Cannot Be Uninstalled?
macOS does not allow the removal of apps that the Mac requires. According to Apple, this includes many apps installed with macOS, such as Mail, Music, Books, Notes, Podcasts, Maps, News, Stocks and Safari.
Where Do Mac Apps Leave Files Behind?
Dragging an app to the Trash removes the app itself, but some apps keep settings and data in Library folders.
| Location | What it usually holds | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| /Applications | The apps themselves | All users |
| ~/Library/Preferences | Preference (settings) files | Your user account |
| ~/Library/Application Support | Supporting data used by apps | Your user account |
| /Library/Application Support | Supporting data shared by all users | All users |
The tilde (~) means your home folder. Apple’s Mac User Guide says the Library folder is hidden; to open it, hold the Option key and choose Go > Library in Finder. To keep it visible, choose Go > Home, then View > Show View Options, and select Show Library Folder. Apple also advises against storing personal files in the Library folder.
How Do You Check What Is Using Storage on a Mac?
Before deleting apps at random, check which items take the most space. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Storage. Apple lists three built-in recommendations there:
- Store in iCloud: keep Desktop and Documents files, photos and messages in iCloud.
- Optimize Storage: automatically remove Apple TV movies and shows you have already watched and keep only recent email attachments on the Mac.
- Empty Trash Automatically: erase items that have been in the Trash for more than 30 days.
If the Mac still feels slow after freeing space, see these possible reasons a Mac’s performance slows down and the most common MacBook problems and how to fix them.
Common Mistakes When Removing Mac Apps
- Forgetting to empty the Trash: the app keeps using disk space until the Trash is emptied.
- Deleting unknown Library folders: remove only folders clearly named after the app or its developer, because shared folders can serve other apps from the same developer.
- Skipping the uninstaller: apps that install extra components often include their own uninstaller, which Apple recommends using when present.
- No backup: make a backup before a big clean-up; this guide on the easiest way to back up a computer to the cloud covers the options.
For general advice that also applies to Windows laptops, see these effective ways to speed up your laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does moving an app to the Trash uninstall it on a Mac?
Moving an app to the Trash uninstalls it once the Trash is emptied. According to Apple, the app is permanently removed the next time you or the Finder empties the Trash; until then it can be put back.
Why can’t I delete an app on my Mac?
A Mac app usually cannot be deleted because it is a required part of macOS (such as Mail or Safari) or because it is still running. For a running app, Apple suggests restarting the Mac or starting up in safe mode and trying again.
How do I delete an App Store app on a Mac?
An App Store app is deleted in Finder: click Applications in the sidebar, Control-click the app and choose Move to Trash, then empty the Trash. It can be downloaded again from the App Store later.
How do I find the hidden Library folder on a Mac?
The Library folder opens from Finder by holding the Option key and choosing Go > Library, or by choosing Go > Go to Folder and typing ~/Library. It has been hidden by default since Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.
Do I need a third-party uninstaller for my Mac?
Most users do not need a third-party uninstaller, because Apple’s Finder method and built-in uninstallers handle most apps. A cleaner tool such as AppCleaner can help find leftover files, but check that it supports your macOS version.
