The simplest way to remove an app from your Mac
The fastest way to delete an app on a Mac is to open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, find the app you want to remove, and drag it to the Trash. That is the complete process for most apps — they store their files in one folder and leave nothing behind when you move that folder to Trash.
After you drag the app to Trash, empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in the Dock and selecting Empty Trash. Until you empty it, the app still takes up space on your Mac and can still run if you open it from the Trash folder.
Some apps are built differently and leave behind preference files, caches, or support folders even after you move the main app to Trash. For most people, this does not matter — those leftover files are small and do not affect performance. If you want to remove them too, you will need to search for them manually or use a third-party uninstaller app.
Key Takeaways
- Open Finder, navigate to Applications, find the app, and drag it to the Trash to remove it from your Mac.
- Empty the Trash afterward so the app no longer takes up storage space or can be accidentally opened.
- Most apps leave behind small preference and cache files that do not affect your Mac's performance, and you do not need to remove them.
- Some apps like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud have their own uninstaller programs you should use instead of dragging to Trash.
- You can also delete apps through Launchpad by clicking and holding an app icon until an X appears, then clicking the X.
When an app has its own uninstaller
Larger apps from major companies often come with their own uninstaller program. Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Slack are common examples. These uninstallers remove not just the main app folder but also license files, helper programs, and settings that the app spread across your Mac during installation.
To learn about an app has an uninstaller, open Finder and go to Applications. Look for a folder with the app's name — if you see one, double-click it. Inside you may find an Uninstall or Remove program. If you see one, run it and follow the prompts. If there is no uninstaller folder, the drag-to-Trash method is the right approach.
You can also check the app's own menu. Open the app, click its name in the menu bar at the top of the screen, and look for an Uninstall option. Not all apps have this, but some do.
Deleting apps through Launchpad
Launchpad is the grid of app icons you see when you swipe up with four fingers on your trackpad, or click the Launchpad icon in the Dock. You can delete apps directly from this view without opening Finder.
Click and hold any app icon in Launchpad until all the icons start to jiggle and an X appears in the corner of each app. Click the X on the app you want to remove. A confirmation message will appear asking if you want to delete the app — click Delete to confirm. The app will move to Trash when ready.
This method works the same way as dragging to Trash through Finder — it removes the main app folder but may leave behind small preference files. It is faster if you already have Launchpad open, but Finder gives you more control if you want to check the app's folder before deleting.
Finding and removing leftover files
After you delete an app, you may want to find and remove the preference files and caches it left behind. These files are usually small — often just a few megabytes — but some people prefer to remove them for a cleaner system.
Open Finder and press Command+Shift+G to open the Go to Folder dialog. Type ~/Library and press Enter. This opens a hidden folder where Mac stores app settings. Look for folders named after the app you deleted — for example, if you deleted Slack, search for a folder called Slack or com.slack.Slack. You can delete these folders by dragging them to Trash.
The same hidden Library folder also contains a Caches subfolder where apps store temporary files. Open Library, then double-click Caches, and look for folders matching the app name. These are safe to delete. If you are not sure whether a folder belongs to the app you removed, leave it alone — deleting the wrong cache can cause other apps to behave strangely.
What happens to apps you delete
When you drag an app to Trash, it stops appearing in Launchpad, Spotlight search, and the Applications folder. If you try to open a file that the app normally handles — like a Word document or a Photoshop file — your Mac will no longer know which app to use and will ask you to choose one.
The app remains in the Trash until you empty it. If you change your mind within a few days, you can open the Trash, find the app, and drag it back to Applications. Once you empty the Trash, the app is gone and cannot be recovered from your Mac — you would need to read and install it again from the App Store or the developer's website.
Removing apps you downloaded from the App Store
Apps you downloaded from the Mac App Store can be deleted the same way as any other app — drag to Trash or use Launchpad. However, the App Store keeps a record that you downloaded the app, so you can reinstall it later without paying again if it was a paid app.
Open the App Store app, click your account icon in the top right corner, and select Purchased. You will see a list of every app you have ever downloaded from the App Store. Next to each app is either an Install button (if it is not currently on your Mac) or an Open button (if it is installed). This makes it straightforward to reinstall an app you deleted if you decide you need it again.
Freeing up storage space after deletion
Deleting apps frees up storage space on your Mac, but only after you empty the Trash. If your Mac is running low on storage, check how much space you will gain by looking at the app's size before you delete it.
To see how much space an app uses, open Finder, go to Applications, right-click the app, and select Get Info. The window that opens shows the size at the top. Large apps like video editors, design software, or games can use several gigabytes. Smaller apps like text editors or note-taking tools usually use less than 100 megabytes.
After you delete an app and empty the Trash, you can check your Mac's available storage by clicking the Apple menu in the top left, selecting About This Mac, and clicking Storage. The bar at the bottom shows how much space is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete an app while it is running?
Yes, you can drag an app to Trash even while it is open. However, it is better to quit the app first by pressing Command+Q or clicking the app name in the menu bar and selecting Quit. This prevents the app from trying to save files or access its own folder while you are deleting it.
What if I cannot find an app in the Applications folder?
Some apps are installed in other locations or are built into macOS. Try searching for the app using Spotlight — press Command+Space, type the app name, and see where it shows up. If it is a system app that came with your Mac, you usually cannot delete it. If it is a third-party app, Spotlight will show you its location so you can navigate to it in Finder.
Do I need to restart my Mac after deleting an app?
No, you do not need to restart. The app stops running when ready when you delete it, and your Mac will not need a restart. However, if an app was running in the background and you want to make sure all its processes are completely closed, restarting does not hurt.
Will deleting an app remove it from my other Apple devices?
No, deleting an app from your Mac does not affect the same app on your iPhone, iPad, or other Macs. Each device has its own separate app installation. If you want to remove an app from multiple devices, you need to delete it from each one individually.
Is it safe to delete preference files from the Library folder?
It is safe to delete preference files for apps you have already removed. However, be careful not to delete preference files for apps you still use — this can reset the app's settings to defaults. If you are unsure whether a preference file belongs to an app you deleted, leave it alone. These files are small and do not affect performance.