The simplest way to remove an app
The fastest way to delete an app from your MacBook Pro is to drag it to the Trash from your Applications folder. Open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, find the app you want to remove, drag it to the Trash icon in your dock, and empty the Trash. That removes the app itself — but not always the small files it left behind on your computer.
If you want a more thorough removal that cleans up those leftover files, use the built-in Finder search to look for folders and preference files the app created, then delete those too. This takes a few extra minutes but leaves your computer cleaner.
Some apps come with their own uninstaller program. If you see an Uninstall icon in the Applications folder alongside the app, double-click it and follow the prompts — this usually removes everything the app created in one step.
Key Takeaways
- Dragging an app to Trash from the Applications folder removes the app itself but may leave behind preference files and support folders.
- You must empty the Trash after dragging an app there, or the app still takes up space on your computer.
- Some apps include their own Uninstall program in the Applications folder, which removes the app and its files in one action.
- Preference files and caches left behind by deleted apps use very little space, so thorough removal is optional unless you want a completely clean computer.
- Never delete an app by dragging it from the dock — always use the Applications folder in Finder.
Dragging to Trash: the standard method
Open Finder by clicking the Finder icon in your dock — it looks like a blue and white face. In the sidebar on the left, click Applications. You will see a folder full of all the apps installed on your MacBook Pro.
Scroll through the list or use the search box at the top right to find the app you want to delete. Click and hold on the app icon, then drag it down to the Trash icon in your dock (usually at the far right of the dock). Release your mouse or trackpad when the Trash icon highlights. The app disappears from the Applications folder.
Now right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select Empty Trash. This permanently removes the app from your computer. If you skip this step, the app still takes up storage space — it is just hidden in the Trash.
Finding and removing leftover files
When you delete an app by dragging it to Trash, macOS leaves behind small files the app created while it was running. These are usually preference files (settings you chose) and cache files (temporary data the app stored). They take up minimal space, but if you want your computer completely clean, you can find and delete them.
Open Finder and click on your username in the sidebar — this takes you to your home folder. Press Command and the period key at the same time (Command + .) to show hidden files. Hidden files are normally invisible because they start with a dot, but this keyboard shortcut makes them visible.
Look for a folder called Library. Open it, then open the Preferences folder inside. Search for any files with the app's name in them — for example, if you deleted Slack, look for files that say "Slack" or "com.slack". Drag these files to Trash. Then go back and check the Caches folder (also inside Library) and delete any files related to that app there too.
When you are done, press Command + . again to hide the hidden files, then empty the Trash. This removes both the app and the files it left behind.
Using an app's built-in uninstaller
Some apps come with their own uninstaller program. Open Finder, go to Applications, and look for an icon that says Uninstall or Uninstaller next to the app you want to remove. If you see one, double-click it.
The uninstaller will walk you through the removal process — usually just asking you to confirm that you want to delete the app. When it finishes, the app and most of its files are gone. This method is more thorough than dragging to Trash because the app's own uninstaller knows exactly which files it created.
After the uninstaller finishes, check your Applications folder to make sure the app is no longer there. If it is still there, drag it to Trash and empty the Trash as described above.
What not to do when deleting apps
Do not delete an app by dragging it from the dock. The dock is just a shortcut to the app — removing it from the dock does not remove the app itself from your computer. The app stays installed and keeps using storage space. To actually delete an app, you must go to the Applications folder in Finder.
Do not delete apps from the Applications folder while they are running. Close the app first by clicking the red close button in the top left corner of its window, or by pressing Command + Q. If you try to delete a running app, macOS will warn you and may not let you complete the deletion.
Do not worry about deleting preference files if you are not comfortable navigating hidden folders. The files left behind are small and do not significantly affect your computer's performance. Removing them is optional.
Reinstalling an app you deleted by mistake
If you delete an app and then change your mind, you can restore it from the Trash as long as you have not emptied the Trash yet. Click the Trash icon in your dock, find the app, and drag it back to the Applications folder.
If you have already emptied the Trash, you will need to read the app again from where you originally got it — usually the App Store, the app's website, or another software read site. The app is not lost permanently; you just need to install it again.
Storage space and app removal
Deleting an app frees up the storage space it was using on your MacBook Pro. How much space you recover depends on the app — some are small (a few megabytes) and some are large (several gigabytes). Games and video editing software tend to be the largest.
If your MacBook Pro is running low on storage, deleting large apps you no longer use is one of the fastest ways to free up space. You can check how much space an app uses by right-clicking it in the Applications folder, selecting Get Info, and looking at the size listed at the top of the window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting an app from the dock remove it from my MacBook Pro?
No. The dock is just a shortcut to apps. Removing an app from the dock does not uninstall it — the app stays on your computer and keeps using storage space. To actually delete an app, you must go to the Applications folder in Finder and drag it to Trash.
What happens to my files if I delete an app?
Deleting an app does not delete files you created with that app. If you delete a word processor, your documents stay on your computer. However, you will not be able to open those files with that app anymore unless you reinstall it or use a different program that can open the same file type.
Can I recover an app after I empty the Trash?
Once you empty the Trash, the app is deleted permanently and cannot be recovered. If you change your mind, you will need to read and install it again from the App Store or the app's website. This is why it is a good idea to close an app and make sure you do not need it before you empty the Trash.
Do I need to delete preference files when I remove an app?
No, it is optional. Preference files and cache files left behind by deleted apps use very little storage space and do not affect your computer's performance. Deleting them is only necessary if you want your computer completely clean or if you plan to reinstall the app and want it to start with fresh settings.
Why is an app still showing in my Applications folder after I dragged it to Trash?
You may have dragged the app to the dock instead of to the Trash icon. Make sure you are dragging it all the way to the Trash icon at the far right of the dock, and that the Trash icon highlights before you release. If the app is still there, try again, or use the app's built-in uninstaller if it has one.