How to Uninstall Programs on Mac Computers

Co-authored by Chiara Corsaro and Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: April 29, 2022 Approved

Need to free up space on your Mac? Deleting apps you don't need is one of the best ways to get the job done! If you installed an app from the App Store, it's super easy to uninstall from the Launchpad. Other apps can be uninstalled using Finder, or by running the app's dedicated uninstaller. This wikiHow article will guide you through the quickest and most effective ways to remove programs from your Mac.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Using Launchpad

1
Open the Launchpad. If you installed apps from your Mac's App Store, you can delete them from the Launchpad. To open Launchpad, click the Launchpad icon on the Dock which is usually at the bottom of the screen. If you are using Big Sur, you can see Launchpad icon as nine small squares. In older version of macOS, you will find the Launchpad icon as a rocket image.
- You can also open Launchpad by double-clicking it in your Applications folder, or by pinching your thumb and three fingers together on the trackpad.^{[1]
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2
Click and hold the app you want to delete. After a few seconds, the icons will begin to jiggle.
- If you don't see the app, try typing its name into the search field to see if it's on another screen. If it doesn't show up, try using Finder to delete it.
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3
Click the X on the app you want to delete. A confirmation message will appear.
- If the app you want to remove doesn't have an X, it's either not from the App Store, or it was included with your Mac and can't be deleted. If the app is something you installed through some other means than the App Store, use Finder to delete it instead.
4
Click Delete to confirm. This removes the app from your Mac.
- If you had a subscription to a service in the app, this will not cancel your subscription. You will need to cancel subscriptions separately in the App Store.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Using Finder or an Uninstaller

1
Open Finder
. Finder is the two-toned smiley face icon on the Dock, which is usually at the bottom of the screen.
2
Click Applications. You'll see this in the left sidebar of Finder.
- If you don't see this folder, click the Finder menu, select Preferences, and check the box next to "Applications." You should now see an Applications folder in Finder.
3
Find the program that you want to uninstall. Scroll through the programs here until you find an icon for the program that you want to remove.
- If the program is inside of a folder, double-click the folder to open it and look for an app called "Uninstaller" or something similar.
- If there is an uninstaller app, you can double-click it to remove the program from your computer safely. After starting the uninstaller, follow the on-screen prompts to delete the app.
4
Drag the app to the Trash. The Trash is the trashcan on your desktop or Dock. If you're in the UK, this icon is typically labeled "Bin" and not "Trash. If prompted to enter your password, you'll need to do so to confirm.
- Another way to move an app to the Trash is to click it once to select it, click the File menu, and then choose Move to Trash or "Move to Bin."
- You can also select the icon once and press Delete to send it to the Trash.
5
Empty your Trash or Bin (optional). The deleted item will remain in your Trash (or Bin, if you're in the UK) for 30 days in case you change your mind. If you want to delete it sooner (like if you need to free up disk space), you can empty the Trash now. First, click the Trash icon on the Dock to make sure there's nothing you want to keep. Then, click and hold the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

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Question

How can I delete a program from my computer?

Chiara Corsaro
Phone & Computer Repair Technician
Chiara Corsaro is the General Manager and Apple Certified Mac & iOS Technician for macVolks, Inc., an Apple Authorized Service Provider located in the San Francisco Bay Area. macVolks, Inc. was founded in 1990, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating, and is part of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).

Chiara Corsaro

Phone & Computer Repair Technician

Expert Answer

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Move the program to the trash, then empty the trash. Once the trash has been emptied, we typically recommend restarting your machine to clear out any temporary cache files.

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What if it says the app can't be deleted because it's open but it's not open and I have already right clicked and selected quit?

Michael Everman

Community Answer

That means it is a virus and keeps opening itself, or it is left open. You can try opening the activity monitor and forcing it to quit to be able to delete it.

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Question

Will downgrading to Yosemite be my only option if previous uninstall attempts haven't worked?

Community Answer

Yes, that could be an option. However, try reinstalling the apps first.

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Question

What if I don't have the library option in the "Go" menu?

Community Answer

You do have the library option! If it isn't showing, hold Alt/Option. When you have the options in the "Go" menu, the library option will show up.

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Question

I've sent MS Office to the trash. Now I need to reinstall it. How?

Community Answer

Sending a program to Trash in a Mac is similar to removing a program from Control Panel in Windows. That means you have install it again, but before that, empty the Trash.

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Question

If I install the app with a .dmg format, how do I delete the application?

Community Answer

Right click and select "Move to trash" from the dropdown menu. This will send the application to the trash, and then you can empty your trash.

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Question

How do I get rid of Advanced Mac Cleaner? I want to trash it. I haven't been able to click and drag it to trash, no X above icon.

Community Answer

Go to "Library" and trash it from there.

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Question

What if the "X" does not appear in the launchpad deletion process?

Community Answer

The application or program can probably be found in your Applications folder. Open Finder and click on the Applications folder located on the sidebar. Once there, locate the program or application you wish to delete, and drag it to the trash bin located on the far right of the task bar. Once finished, right click on the trash bin and click on Empty Trash.

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Question

Will this completely uninstall programs, or just access to the apps?

Community Answer

Files created by the program will generally remain, but the program itself will be gone.

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What do I do if I don't see the uninstaller-OS cleaner on step 2?

Community Answer

It is an additional program that will have to be installed from the app store. That is why you're not able to see it.

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Tips

Some applications will leave behind folders with preferences, files, or other data. You can delete these files from the Library folder.

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If you delete an app that you purchased through the App Store, you can reinstall it for free from within the App Store.

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