Deleting apps on a Mac works differently from Windows: there is no fixed "uninstall programs" menu. Usually you just drag an app to the Bin. But some apps leave files behind, and others have their own uninstaller. This article explains how to delete an app from your Mac or MacBook completely, and what to do when it will not go.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam. A full drive is one of the reasons Macs get slow; clearing out apps you no longer use helps.
Method 1: via the Finder (works for most apps)
- Open the Finder and click Applications on the left.
- Find the app you want to delete.
- Drag it to the Bin in the Dock, or select it and press Command + Delete.
- Enter your password if asked.
- Empty the Bin to actually free the space.
You cannot delete an app that is still open. Quit it first with Command + Q.
Method 2: via System Settings
Open System Settings, choose General, Storage and click the info button next to Applications. You see a list of all your apps with how much space they take. Select an app and click Delete. That way you immediately see which apps cost the most space.
Method 3: the maker's uninstaller
Some programs install extra components, such as drivers, background processes or their own updater. Think of virus scanners, Adobe programs, Microsoft Office or printer software. They often have their own uninstaller in the program's folder or on the maker's site. Use it, otherwise components stay behind and keep running at startup.
Apps from the App Store
You delete App Store apps the same way via the Finder. If you paid for them, you can download them again later for free via your purchases in the App Store.
Cleaning up leftover files
After deleting, settings and caches sometimes stay behind in the Library of your user folder. They usually take little space. If you still want to remove them, hold Option, choose the Go menu in the Finder and then Library. Look in the Application Support, Caches and Preferences folders for folders with the name of the deleted app. Only delete what you clearly recognise: throwing away the wrong folder can make other apps misbehave.
There are also clean-up programs that do this automatically. Choose a well-known one, and be careful with programs that promise to make your Mac "faster": there are useless or even harmful ones among them.
The app will not go
- "The item can't be moved because it's open": quit the app, or force quit it with Command + Option + Esc.
- A background process keeps running: check System Settings, General, Login Items and turn off items from that app.
- Apple's own apps, such as Safari, cannot be deleted. They are part of macOS.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
If your Mac is slow or freezes even after clearing up, there may be something with the hardware: a worn drive, a battery that throttles the processor or cooling full of dust. We test that and tell you honestly what makes sense. Also read MacBook runs hot or slow and our page about MacBook repair in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
Can I restore a deleted app?
While it is still in the Bin, yes: right-click it and choose Put Back. After that you have to download it again.
Does deleting apps make my Mac faster?
Only if the drive was nearly full or the app ran in the background. An app you never open costs little otherwise.
Where are apps on a Mac?
In the Applications folder, which you find in the Finder sidebar on the left.
