Deleting Forward from your Mac

Forward is an email app that some people install on Mac to manage multiple email accounts in one place. If you no longer use it, you can remove it completely in a few minutes. The process is straightforward: drag the app to the Trash, then empty the Trash to finish.

Forward stores some files on your computer even after you close it. Removing just the app icon leaves behind login information, cached emails, and settings that take up space. A full deletion removes both the app and these leftover files, which is cleaner and frees up more storage.

Key Takeaways

  • Dragging Forward to the Trash removes the app but leaves behind settings and cached data on your Mac.
  • To fully delete Forward, you should also remove its support files from your Library folder.
  • Forward stores login credentials and email cache in a hidden folder that you can access through Finder.
  • Emptying the Trash completes the deletion and frees up the storage space Forward was using.

Remove the Forward app from Applications

Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Scroll down until you see the Forward icon — it looks like a curved arrow. Click and hold on Forward, then drag it to the Trash in your dock. You can also right-click Forward and select "Move to Trash" from the menu.

At this point, the app no longer appears in your Applications folder and you cannot launch it. However, Forward's settings, cached emails, and login information remain stored in your Library folder. If you want to fully remove Forward and reclaim all the space it uses, continue to the next step.

Delete Forward's support files from Library

Open Finder and press Command + Shift + G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog. Type ~/Library/process Support and press Enter. Look for a folder named Forward or com.forwardapp and drag it to the Trash.

Next, go to ~/Library/Caches using the same keyboard shortcut. Search for any folder with "Forward" or "forwardapp" in the name and move it to the Trash. Then check ~/Library/Preferences for a file called com.forwardapp.plist or similar and delete that as well. These folders and files contain Forward's settings, cached email data, and login credentials.

Empty the Trash to complete the deletion

Click the Trash icon in your dock. You will see all the items you moved there, including the Forward app and its support files. Right-click anywhere in the Trash window and select "Empty Trash," or use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + Delete.

Once the Trash is empty, Forward is completely removed from your Mac. The space it occupied is now available for other files and programs. If you ever reinstall Forward later, it will start fresh with no memory of your previous settings or accounts.

What happens to your emails after you delete Forward

Deleting Forward does not affect the emails stored on your actual email provider's servers — whether that is Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another service. Those emails remain in your account and you can access them by logging into the provider's website or using a different email app.

Forward only stores a local copy of your emails on your Mac for faster searching and offline reading. When you delete Forward, that local copy is removed, but your original emails are safe. If you switch to a different email app like Apple Mail or Thunderbird, you may need to read your emails again, but they will still be there.

Reinstalling Forward if you change your mind

If you delete Forward and later decide you want it back, you can read it again from the Forward website or the Mac App Store. The reinstalled version will be completely fresh — it will not remember your previous email accounts or settings. You will need to log in again and set up your email accounts from scratch.

Because Forward stores all its data in the Library folders you deleted, there is no way to recover your previous setup after a full deletion. If you think you might use Forward again soon, you could instead just quit the app and leave it in Applications, which takes up very little space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting Forward remove my emails?

No. Forward only stores a copy of your emails on your Mac. Your actual emails remain on your email provider's servers and you can access them through their website or another email app. Deleting Forward removes only the local copy stored on your computer.

Do I have to delete the Library files, or can I just move the app to Trash?

You can do either. Moving just the app to Trash removes it from your Applications folder and you cannot launch it anymore. Deleting the Library files as well removes all settings, cached emails, and login information, which frees up more storage space and is cleaner if you do not plan to use Forward again.

Where do I find the Library folder if it is not showing in Finder?

The Library folder is hidden by default on Mac. Use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + G in Finder to open the "Go to Folder" dialog, then type ~/Library and press Enter. This takes you directly to your Library folder without needing to unhide it.

Can I recover Forward's data after I empty the Trash?

Once you empty the Trash, the data is difficult to recover without specialized tools. If you think you might need your Forward settings or cached emails later, do not empty the Trash when ready — wait a day or two to make sure you do not need anything. After that, emptying the Trash is safe.