Mac Tutorials
How to Uninstall Apps on macOS: Easy Steps to Follow
Looking to declutter your macOS by getting rid of unused apps? 😕 Struggling to figure out how? 💡 Well, it’s your lucky day! We’re here with a step-by-step guide on how to easily uninstall apps on macOS. 🎉 Not one, but two easy methods to follow, and voila, your macOS would be free of unwanted apps. 🤩👌 Let’s get started, shall we?
First Method: Using Finder
Before you dive straight into uninstalling the app, remember—you need to close the app first. 😇 To do this, simply right-click on the app icon on your dock and click on the ‘Quit’ option. 🤓 Here, we begin the journey with our example app, Figma. 🗃️
Now, to uninstall the app, click on Finder and navigate to Applications. 👓 From the list of applications, locate the app you want to uninstall (in our case, Figma) and drag and drop it on the bin. 🗑️ A sound confirms that the app is uninstalled. 👍
However, the journey doesn’t end here. You have to make sure the app is permanently deleted. To do this, right-click on the bin and click on ‘Empty Bin’. 🧹 This ensures that the app is completely deleted from your macOS. 🌟 To reassure yourself, you can head to the LaunchPad and confirm that the app is no longer there. 🚀 Ta-da! Your first method to uninstall apps succeeded. 🥳
Second Method: Using System Storage
If the first method doesn’t suit your fancy or doesn’t work for you, fear not! There’s a second method to help you out. 🎊 For this method, let’s use Sublime Text, another application, as our example. 💌
First, click on the Apple icon and select ‘About This Mac’. 🍎 Here, head straight to Storage and then ‘Manage’. 🧠 In this new window, navigate to Applications where you will see the list of all your apps. 🕵️
Spot the app you want to uninstall (here, Sublime Text), click on it, and you’ll see a delete option on the right bottom corner. 🌐 Click ‘Delete’ to remove the app from your macOS. 💥 Again, a quick check in the LaunchPad will confirm that the app is no longer present. 🎯 Congratulations, your second method worked like a charm! 🎆
Conclusion: 🏁
And there you have it, folks! Two easy ways to uninstall apps from your macOS. 🏆 Whether it’s Figma, Sublime Text, or any other app, employing either of these methods will ensure they’re safely and completely removed from your system. 🎁 We hope you found this guide helpful and that you feel more confident in managing your macOS applications! 😄 Thanks for reading, and here’s to a decluttered MacBook! 🥂🧹
FAQ
What is the main focus of this article?
The main focus of this article is to provide easy steps on how to uninstall apps on macOS.
Is it easy to uninstall apps on macOS?
Yes, it is relatively easy to uninstall apps on macOS if you follow the correct procedures.
Do I need any special software to uninstall apps on macOS?
No, you don’t need any special software. You can uninstall applications directly on your Mac.
What apps can I uninstall?
You can uninstall any apps that you’ve downloaded, but be mindful not to uninstall system apps.
Are there apps I should not uninstall?
Yes, you shouldn’t uninstall system apps as they’re essential for macOS operation.
How can I identify system apps?
System apps usually have a standard Mac icon and are often found in the Applications folder.
What are the steps to uninstall an app?
The steps may vary based on the application, but generally you need to drag the application to the trash and then empty the trash.
Can I recover an app after uninstalling it?
Unless you have a backup, once an app is uninstalled and the trash is emptied, recovery may not be possible.
How long does it take to uninstall an application?
The time it takes to uninstall an app can vary but it’s usually a quick process.
Can I uninstall multiple apps at once?
macOS does not support uninstalling multiple apps at once. You have to uninstall each app individually.
Does uninstalling an app remove all its files?
Uninstalling an app removes its main files, but some residual files might remain.
How can I remove leftover files from uninstalled apps?
You can use utilities like CleanMyMac X to remove residual files from uninstalled apps.
Could uninstalling an app harm my MacOS?
Uninstalling an app shouldn’t harm your MacOS, just be cautious not to uninstall system apps.
Can I reinstall an app I’ve uninstalled?
Yes, you can usually reinstall an app from the App Store or the developer’s website.
Do I need to restart my Mac after uninstalling an application?
Not usually, but you may need to restart if the uninstallation process requests it.
Can I stop an uninstallation process in between?
Once the uninstallation process has started, it’s typically better to let it complete to avoid potential issues.
How can I stop automatic updates of an app I don’t want to uninstall?
You can go to System Preferences > App Store and uncheck ‘Automatically check for updates’ for that app.
How do I know if an app is fully uninstalled?
If the app no longer appears in your Applications folder or Launchpad and the trash is emptied, the app is usually fully uninstalled.
Can I uninstall apps that were part of the macOS installation?
Apps that were part of your macOS installation are usually system apps, and it’s not recommended to uninstall them.
Do I have to have administrative privileges to uninstall an app?
You typically need administrative privileges to uninstall apps on macOS.
Can I backup an app before uninstalling it?
Yes, you can make a backup of the application by copying it to another folder or external drive before uninstalling it.
What to do when an app can’t be deleted?
If an app can’t be deleted, it might be open or locked. Close the app or unlock it, and try again.
How to uninstall an app that won’t delete?
You can force uninstall an app using Terminal, but this should be a last resort and only used for non-system apps.
How to uninstall an app’s system character files?
Some applications may leave behind system character files. Tools like CleanMyMac X help remove these files.
Will uninstalling an app delete its data?
Yes, uninstalling an app generally deletes its data, unless the data is stored separately and is not deleted during the uninstallation.
Can an app be deleted without the administrator’s password?
Generally, you need an administrator’s password to delete apps on macOS.
Can I uninstall pre-installed Apple applications?
Pre-installed Apple applications count as system apps and should not be uninstalled.
Why doesn’t the app disappear immediately after being sent to the trash?
The app may not disappear until you empty the trash. If it still doesn’t disappear, another part of the system may be using it.
Can I delete apps directly from Launchpad?
Yes, you can press and hold the Option key, then click the ‘x’ that appears on the app to delete it from Launchpad.
What happens to my iCloud data if I uninstall an iCloud-based app?
Your iCloud data is typically unaffected when you uninstall an iCloud-based app, as the data is stored in iCloud, not the app itself.