How to uninstall apps on Mac [2025]

Uninstalling Mac apps is more complicated than it seems. If they are uninstalled by putting the apps in the trash, their cache and residual files will remain on your Mac, taking up space and messing up your space. Fortunately, there is a better way. Let's explore how to uninstall apps on your Mac in just a few clicks without leaving any traces.

I recommend you start with this quick problem solving table that includes all the key decisions you may need.

question	Solution
Manually deleting the application will leave traces	Use CleanMyMac for a complete click-and-delete. Supports batch deletion of applications.
The application needs to be deleted immediately. You don't mind the application's residual files	Drag the application from Launchpad to the Trash.
There is no application in Launchpad	Go to Finder > Applications and drag the application to the Trash.
Need to delete the command line	Use the terminal command sudo uninstall file://[文件路径]
The application cannot be uninstalled	If the application fails to exit and prevents you from deleting it, use QuitAll.

Uninstall any Mac application with CleanMyMac

Use CleanMyMac and other applications on Setapp to delete applications, clean residual files, and perform regular Mac maintenance.

Free trial security test completely remove Mac apps

If you want to uninstall the app automatically, the best way is to use a dedicated uninstaller app. Some benefits of using such software:

• One-click application deletion
• Bulk application deletion
• Delete all traces (e.g., residual files, support files, caches, installation files)

Note: Since there are many Mac application uninstallers on the market, be sure to choose a reputable, trustworthy uninstaller from a well-known brand.

The Mac application uninstaller I highly recommend is CleanMyMac.

CleanMyMac is the best solution for optimizing Mac performance. With just a few clicks, you can clear system junk files, delete unnecessary email attachments, scan malware in your Mac, conduct privacy checks, update apps, and uninstall anything you no longer need.

Here is how to delete an application on your Mac using CleanMyMac:

1. Open the application.
2. Navigate to Applications > Scan in the sidebar.
3. Click "Manage My Apps" and select the app you want to delete.
4. Click "Uninstall".

How to manually uninstall the application

Uninstalling an application with CleanMyMac does not require you to understand how the macOS file system works. However, if you want to manually clear the app, you must be careful to remove all traces of the app on your Mac.

There are several different ways to delete an application right away, from moving the icon to the trash, to removing the application from Launchpad and Finder, to using the terminal.

Move the app to the Trash to permanently remove the app from your Mac

When installing the app temporarily, some Mac users prefer to place their icons directly on the desktop. In this case, when you no longer need an application, just drag and drop it into the Trash icon in the Dock to delete it.

How to use Launchpad to delete applications on your Mac

One of the fastest ways to browse an app collection is to activate Launchpad. The default method is to pinch the trackpad with four fingers, but you can also configure custom keyboard shortcuts for it.

After Launchpad is activated, you can drag and drop any application icon into the Trash in the Dock.

How to delete an application in Finder

The most common way to manually delete applications on your Mac is through Finder.

Open Finder from Dock and navigate to the Applications folder (or use shortcut keys Shift Command A ) After you can right-click on any application and select Move to Trash. Or, select and press Command Delete .

How to use terminal uninstaller

Technical users sometimes prefer to complete tasks without leaving the terminal. You can also use the terminal to delete the application.

Note: The terminal is very powerful and typing incorrect commands may have unpredictable consequences for your Mac. Therefore, if you are not a confident end user, we do not recommend this method.

Here is how to uninstall an application using a terminal:

1. Open the terminal.
2. enter sudo uninstall file:// .
3. Drag and drop the application next to the line you just entered to show its file path.
4. Press Return.

How to manually clean application data

Apps on your Mac can be deleted and their data can be cleaned manually. While this is a tedious process and does not guarantee 100% results (such as deleting all residual files), some users may even try it just to understand more about how macOS file system works.

Here are the actions you need to do to clear the apps and their residual files on your Mac:

1. Use one of the above methods to remove unwanted applications.
2. In the menu bar of Finder, select "Go to" ➙ "Go to folder..." ( Shift Command G ), enter ~/Library/ and press Return.
3. Check various folders to delete residual files from your application, such as Application Support, Internet Plug-Ins, Preferences, Saved Application State, Caches, and Address Book Plug-Ins.

Note: Although the folders listed above contain most of the residual files, some applications can also choose to place them elsewhere on their Mac. Check out the documentation for a specific application to learn more. This is also the reason we recommend using Mac uninstall app to solve all problems faster.

Please read also:

• Change your Macbook name
• How to use system preferences on your Mac
• Fixed an error when connecting to Apple ID server
• Show battery percentage on Mac

How to uninstall an application using a native uninstaller

You can often see technical applications that require access to system-level macOS or act as other application platforms that have their own uninstallers.

In this case, it is better to use the uninstaller first, as it knows all the places where caches and residual files may be hidden. Check the native uninstaller files in the Applications folder, or refer to the application's documentation.

Even if you use an uninstaller for a specific application, it is recommended to use a generic Mac uninstaller like CleanMyMac for scanning, as it will most likely find some remaining files.

How to delete the Mac system settings pane

Certain system-level applications (such as backup software, drawing board support) can install shortcuts directly into your system settings. Typically, these can be deleted without affecting how the application works, or after you have deleted the application.

To remove the application's pane from system settings:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Right-click on the application's pane.
3. delete.

Why can't you uninstall the app on your Mac?

Sometimes, you may find yourself unable to uninstall the app on your Mac. Most of the time, this is because the application is opening and running on the Mac. Exiting it should fix this.

To exit any application, you can make it active and use the shortcut Command Q. If the application does not respond, you can terminate its process through Activity Monitor:

1. Search for Activity Monitor in the Spotlight or Utilities folder.
2. In the CPU tab, select the application that does not work.
3. Click "Stop".

If you are not sure which app you need to exit, or if you want to exit the app at any time, the fastest way is to use QuitAll.

QuitAll allows you to exit as many applications as you want from the menu bar (or exit all at once). You can see at a glance how much CPU each application consumes and whether any applications are not responding and require a forced exit. To exit faster, you can set specific shortcuts in your application's preferences.

The last thing you need to know about how to delete an undeletable app on your Mac is that restarting your Mac can also help. If your Mac cannot restart because some applications are turned on and you cannot exit them, press and hold the power button to force restart your Mac.

Now you know how to manually uninstall programs on your Mac in various ways, from using Finder to Launchpad to native uninstalling programs. If you want to know how to effectively remove an app from your MacBook, try CleanMyMac, which not only deletes any app, it also cleanses its residual files.

Have any issues when you want to clear apps on your Mac but they can't exit? Use QuitAll and close all applications with one click.

Best of all, CleanMyMac and QuitAll can be tried for seven days for free with the Setapp trial. Setapp is a platform with over 250 top Mac and iOS applications covering all categories, from web development to creative expression to optimization utilities. Trial all of these apps for free today and discover some new favorites!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will moving applications to the Trash uninstall them?

Yes. One of the answers to how to delete an app on your Mac is to move it to the Trash. Remember that simply dragging and dropping an app to the Trash won't delete any app support files that might be hidden elsewhere on your Mac. Use an app like CleanMyMac to delete them.

What is the most effective way to uninstall an application?

Want to know how to uninstall programs in the most efficient way on your Mac? Simply download CleanMyMac and use its built-in uninstaller to completely delete all applications, caches, and residual files. Plus, you can optimize your Mac immediately.

How to delete an application that cannot be deleted?

If you want to remove an app cleanly from your Mac, but it displays an error message, the app may be running. use Command Q Exit it, or close all unnecessary applications at once using QuitAll.

Is it possible to remove preinstalled apps from my Mac?

Yes. If you want to know how to remove an app on your Mac, the same rules apply even if it is pre-installed. You can delete the app by moving it to the Trash or using a complete uninstall solution like CleanMyMac. You can usually re-download pre-installed applications from the App Store, or re-download by re-installing macOS. Now you know how to remove apps from your MacBook in various ways, even if your Mac shows an error message.

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