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by Jenefey AaronUpdated on 2020-10-12 / Update for Mac Data
How To Uninstall An Application On A Mac
- If you’re relatively new to the Mac, it may not be immediately obvious as to how you would delete an app—after all, OS X doesn’t come with any sort of uninstaller like Windows does.Removing.
- How to manually uninstall programs on a Mac. Programs downloaded from the Mac App Store are sandboxed programs. Such apps store all the supporting files in their single Containers folder, isolating them from the rest of the system.
- In order to remove the Apps in Mac, you only have to open the application folder and drag the app to the Bin or Trash Can. This is rather easy if the program is uninstalled simply. However, if the application still denies to uninstall and stays on the Mac then we need to get another solution below.
How to uninstall programs on Mac is a very common query among Mac communities and forums. If you are trying to remove an old application from your Mac, or re-installing corrupted software or just clearing up hard disk space, deleting apps is undoubtedly important. The method is very easy and that’s good news for new Mac users. So, for those who don’t know what to do, we are here with a detailed guide on uninstalling apps on Mac. So, let’s begin. Grammarly mac app store.
How to uninstall apps on a Mac: Method 1 The first process is simplicity itself: click on the Finder icon (a smiling blue and white face, for some reason) in the Dock and then select Applications in the left-hand menu. To uninstall Office for Mac 2011 move the applications to the Trash.Once you've removed everything, empty the Trash and restart your Mac to complete the process. Everyday apps for macs. Before you remove Office for Mac 2011, quit all Office applications and make sure there's nothing in Trash that you want to keep. Leave Office applications closed while you go through this process.
Steps to Uninstall Apps on Mac and How to Remove the Leftover Files
There are mainly two ways on how to delete apps on Mac. The traditional one and the easiest one!
Using Finder:
The traditional way uses the Finder. It has been used for over a decade by Mac users and it is still applicable now as well. It is simple and straightforward and this is how you can do it:
1. Go to the Finder
2. Then go to the /Applications folder and choose the app you want to remove.
3. You can either right-click and tap “Move to Trash” or drag the application icon to Trash.
4. Now, navigate to the Trash icon. Right-click and hit “Empty Trash”.
This is how to uninstall apps on Mac using the classic method. It works in all versions of Mac like OS X El Capitan/ Snow Leopard etc.
Using Launchpad:
The above method is effective and a very simple way to uninstall apps on Mac. But Mac Lion and Mountain Lion onwards, it is even easier as it takes cues from iOS. Yes, it is as simple as uninstalling apps from your iPhone. This only works on apps installed from the App Store and not on third-party downloaded apps. Here’s how to use it:
1. Open LaunchPad.
2. Press and hold the app icon that you need to remove.
3. When it starts jiggling, tap the black “X” icon that will appear automatically.
4. Now, click on “Delete” to remove the app.
Now you know how to uninstall applications on Mac using LaunchPad. LaunchPad won't require emptying the Trash prior to uninstalling any apps unlike in the Finder method. This is similar to iOS and this is a great feature that makes Lion a desirable upgrade.
But this is not the end! An app includes a lot of things like preferences, support files, caches, and hidden files etc. These junk files are associated with apps that are installed on your Mac and when you uninstall the app, sometimes, these files stay on your hard drive. Though this is not an alarming thing, it is nonetheless not required unless in an emergency. It is generally a good idea to know how to remove applications from Mac along with its related files.
So if you want to get rid of them, it is easy. Just locate the related support files of the apps and remove those too. These are some typical location address for app files:
- Application support files: “~/Library/Application Support/ (App Name)”
- Preferences: “~/Library/Preferences/ (App Name)”
- Caches: “~/Library/Caches/ (App Name)”
Select the files and move them to trash. That’s it!
Extra Tip: How to Recover Accidently Deleted Mac App Files
While deleting Apps and data, if you accidentally deleted important files from your Mac, then you can restore it with Tenorshare Any Data Recovery software. It is a specially designed tool which can recover anything from your Mac. Whether you have lost some files accidentally by deletion or due to OS upgrade or formatting or emptying trash, it can recover anything from videos, music, photos, documents etc. Here’s how to use it:
Mac app user icon. 1. Download and launch Any Data Recovery for Mac.
2. Select the types of lost files.
3. Now choose the Target Location. Here choose the drive from where you have lost the files from your Mac in the first place.
4. After the scanning process ends, you can preview and choose the Lost Files for recovery right away. Select the files you want to recover and just click Recover.
5. Provide the destination to save the recovered files. Always provide a location different from the original path of lost files.
That’s it! Can't delete app on mac. You will have all your chosen files recovered in seconds. Don’t miss this amazing software.
Conclusion:
Overall, if you want are wondering how to uninstall software on Mac, now you know what to do. Follow the instructions carefully and choose the one accordingly. As for your convenience, LaunchPad is a faster process altogether when it comes to apps from the App Store. And as for the temporary and supported files of various apps, they tend to stack up and take up disk space. So, it is better you delete all of it. If you want to recover any deleted files, we highly recommend you to go for Tenorshare Any Data Recovery!
Use Launchpad to delete an app
Launchpad offers a convenient way to delete apps that were downloaded from the App Store.
- To open Launchpad, click it in the Dock or open it from your Applications folder. You can also pinch closed with your thumb and three fingers on your trackpad.
- If you don't see the app in Launchpad, type its name in the search field at the top of the screen. Or swipe right or left with two fingers on your trackpad to show the next or previous page.
- Press and hold the Option (⌥) key, or click and hold any app until the apps jiggle.
- 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.
Deleting an app doesn't cancel any subscription you may have purchased with that app. Learn how to cancel subscriptions for apps that were downloaded from the App Store.
Use the Finder to delete an app
- Locate the app in the Finder. Most apps are in your Applications folder, which you can open by clicking Applications in the sidebar of any Finder window. Or use Spotlight to find the app, then press and hold the Command (⌘) key while double-clicking the app in Spotlight.
- Drag the app to the Trash, or select the app and choose File > Move to Trash.
- If you're asked for a user name and password, enter the name and password of an administrator account on your Mac. This is probably the name and password you use to log in to your Mac.
- To delete the app, choose Finder > Empty Trash.
Learn more
To use an app again after deleting it, either reinstall it or restore it from a backup.
- To reinstall apps that were installed as part of macOS, reinstall macOS. This applies to apps such as Safari, iTunes, Books, Messages, Mail, Calendar, Photos, and FaceTime.
- You can also redownload apps, music, movies, TV shows, and books that were installed from the App Store, iTunes Store, or Apple Books.
Learn how to delete apps on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
How To Delete A Program On Mac
Learn what to do if the Dock contains an icon with a question mark.