Uninstalling apps on a Mac is a simple process, but it can be confusing for some users who are used to the Windows way of uninstalling software. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to uninstall apps on a Mac.
- Drag the App to the Trash
The easiest way to uninstall an app on a Mac is to simply drag it from the Applications folder to the Trash. To do this, open Finder and navigate to the Applications folder. Find the app you want to uninstall and drag it to the Trash icon in the Dock.
- Empty the Trash
Once you’ve dragged the app to the Trash, you’ll need to empty the Trash to completely remove the app from your system. To do this, right-click on the Trash icon in the Dock and select “Empty Trash” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can click on the Trash icon to open it, and then click on the “Empty” button in the upper-right corner of the window.
- Use a Third-Party Uninstaller
While the drag-and-drop method works for most apps, some apps may leave behind files and folders even after you’ve emptied the Trash. To ensure that all traces of an app are removed from your system, you can use a third-party uninstaller like AppCleaner. AppCleaner is a free app that scans your system for all files and folders associated with an app and allows you to delete them all at once.
To use AppCleaner, download and install the app, then open it and drag the app you want to uninstall to the AppCleaner window. AppCleaner will then scan your system for all associated files and folders. Review the list to make sure you want to delete everything, then click on the “Remove” button to uninstall the app.
- Uninstall Apps from the App Store
If you’ve installed an app from the App Store, you can uninstall it by simply deleting it from Launchpad. To do this, open Launchpad (by clicking on the Launchpad icon in the Dock or by pressing F4 on your keyboard), then click and hold on the app icon until it starts shaking. Click on the “X” button in the upper-left corner of the icon to uninstall the app.
In conclusion, uninstalling apps on a Mac is a straightforward process. You can simply drag the app to the Trash and empty the Trash to remove it from your system. If you want to ensure that all traces of an app are removed, you can use a third-party uninstaller like AppCleaner. If you’ve installed an app from the App Store, you can uninstall it by deleting it from Launchpad.