How to remove app from desktop mac

Sometimes you just need a bit more storage space. One of the easiest ways to do that on your Mac is to uninstall apps that you don't use anymore.

But on a Mac (including a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini or Mac Pro), there are several different ways to uninstall apps, depending on where you installed them from (the web or the Mac App Store).

We'll go through the different methods here so you can clean apps you no longer use from your Mac to free up some space and get you better organized.

Here's how to uninstall apps on a Mac.

How to Uninstall Mac Apps Downloaded From the Mac App Store

1.  Open Launchpad. You can get to it from your dock, if you keep it there, or in Finder > Applications.

Image 1 of 2

2. Click on the app until it wiggles, similar to the effect on iPhones and iPads. You can also hold down the Option (⌥) key.

3. Click on the delete button (a small X) in the top left corner of the App Store app you want to delete.  

4. Click "Delete" when you're asked to confirm.

How to Uninstall Mac Apps Downloaded From the Web

1. Open the Finder and go to the Applications folder. It's in the left sidebar. (If you have installed an app somewhere outside of this folder, you'll need to find it there. Consider using Spotlight to find it.)

2. Drag the app to the Trash in the dock. Alternatively, you can right-click the app to uninstall and click "Move to Trash."

Image 1 of 2

3. Empty the Trash. You can right click on the trash icon and pick "empty Trash." Alternatively, go to Finder > Empty Trash.

Deleting apps through the Finder largely works. You won't be able to see them and you will have to reinstall them to use them. But it can also leave some residual data in the hidden "Library" folder. Most people won't notice, but if you're like me, you like knowing that everything is really, really gone. Here's my method for ensuring that gets erased, too.

How to Uninstall Mac Apps and Residual Data with AppCleaner

To uninstall apps as well as data that may be left behind, I like the free third-party software AppCleaner (though the developer accepts donations if you're feeling charitable). Here's how to use it.

1. Open AppCleaner.

2. the app you want to uninstall to AppCleaner.

3. Click "Remove." Everything listed will move to the trash.

4. Empty the Trash

If you're inclined, you could go through the Library yourself and not use third-party software, but I've been using this method for years without issue (and less risk of breaking things).

About Uninstallers

Some Mac applications downloaded from the web come with a secondary app, called an uninstaller. Those are few and far between these days, but for those that do, running the app should remove both the software and any leftover data for you.

Removing old apps that you aren’t using anymore can help you keep your Mac running like new. This is especially important if you have a malicious app that is causing your problems. Here are several ways to uninstall apps on your Mac, and how to completely remove any of the program’s orphan files.

How to Uninstall Apps on a Mac Using Trash

One of the easiest ways to uninstall an app on your Mac is by dragging it from the Applications folder to the Trash in your Dock. Then right-click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

1. Open a new Finder window on your Mac. You can do this by clicking the half-gray, half-blue face icon in your Dock. 
   
   
2. Then click Applications on the left panel. You can also open the Applications folder by pressing the Command + Shift + A keys on your keyboard at the same time.
   
   
3. Next, click and drag an app on top of the Trash icon in your Dock. 
   
   
4. Finally, right-click the Trash bin and select Empty Trash. If you are using a trackpad, you can do this by pressing the Control key while you click on the Trash icon.

Note: Only the app itself will be uninstalled by dragging it to the trash. While the orphan files that would be left behind are usually tiny, some of them can contain malicious software.

How to Uninstall Apps On a Mac Using 3rd-Party Uninstallers

If you want to completely uninstall an app on your Mac, including any orphan files, you can use a 3rd-party uninstaller like App Cleaner. Just download, install, and launch the app. Then drag an app into the AppCleanerwindow and click Remove.

 Note: To make things easier, these steps apply to the AppCleaner program, but there are lots of other 3rd-party uninstallers available.

1. Go to the AppCleaner website and download the app. AppCleaner is a totally free app. You can download it by clicking on the version that is compatible with your macOS
   
   
2. .Then open the downloaded file. You can find the installer in your Downloads folder. If you want to keep the app, drag it into your Applications folder.
   
   
3. Then drag an app to the uninstaller’s window. It will take a moment to scan all files associated with the app.
   
   
4. Finally, click the Remove or Delete button. You can select which files and folders that you want the app to delete by checking the boxes to the left of each file.   

How to Uninstall Apps on a Mac Using an App Uninstaller

Some apps come with their own uninstallers. It is recommended that you use the uninstaller tool that came with the application in order to make the uninstallation process safer.

1. Open a Finder window. You can also open a new Finder window by clicking on the desktop and pressing the Command + N keys.
2. Click Applications in the left sidebar. 
3. Open the folder of the application that you want to uninstall. If the app is not in a folder, it probably doesn’t have an uninstaller.
4. Double-click on the app’s uninstaller tool. 
5. Follow the instructions for removing the app. 

How to Uninstall on a Mac Using the Launchpad

To uninstall apps you downloaded from the App Store, open the Launchpad app in your Applications folder. Then click and hold the app you want to uninstall. Finally, click the “X” that appears and select Delete to confirm.

1. Open Launchpad app on your Mac. If you don’t see this app in your Dock, you can open it from your Applications folder.
2. Then locate the application that you want to uninstall. 
3. Next, click and hold the app icon. After a few seconds, the icon will start to shake, and an X will appear in the top-left corner. 
4. Then click on the “X” that appears. 
   
   
5. Finally, select Delete to confirm.

If you are still not able to uninstall certain apps on your Mac, it might be a virus. Check out our guide on how to remove malware from your Mac to find out more.

How do I remove an app from my Mac desktop without deleting it?

How do I completely remove an app from my desktop?