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Delete Apps From Launchpad
This method works for apps downloaded from the Mac App Store.
- Open Launchpad (click the Launchpad icon in the Dock, or pinch with four fingers on the trackpad).
- Press and hold any app icon until all the icons start jiggling (like rearranging apps on iPhone).
- Apps that can be deleted show an “X” button in the top-left corner.
- Click the “X” on the app you want to remove.
- Click “Delete” to confirm.
The app is removed from your Mac immediately. If it was a paid app, you can re-download it anytime from the App Store without paying again – it’s tied to your Apple ID.
If the app doesn’t show an “X” button, it either came with macOS (system apps can’t be deleted through Launchpad) or it was installed outside the App Store. Use the Finder method below for non-App Store apps.
Delete Apps From Finder
This works for all apps, whether from the App Store or downloaded from the web.
- Open Finder.
- Click “Applications” in the sidebar (or press Command + Shift + A).
- Find the app you want to delete.
- Drag the app to the Trash in the Dock. Or right-click the app and select “Move to Trash.”
- Empty the Trash to permanently delete the app (right-click the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash”).
Some apps ask for your Mac’s admin password before they can be moved to Trash. Enter your password to authorize the deletion.
Delete Apps From System Settings
macOS Ventura and later offer another route through System Settings.
- Click the Apple menu, then System Settings.
- Click “General” in the sidebar, then “Storage.”
- Click “Applications” in the storage breakdown.
- Select the app you want to remove and click “Delete.”
This view also shows how much storage each app uses, which helps you decide what to remove when you’re running low on disk space. Sort by size to find the biggest space hogs.
Remove Leftover Files After Deleting an App
Dragging an app to the Trash removes the app itself, but many apps leave behind support files, caches, preferences, and other data scattered across your Mac. These leftover files take up space and can occasionally cause issues if you reinstall the app later.
Common locations for leftover files:
| Location | What’s Stored There |
|---|---|
| ~/Library/Application Support/[App Name] | App data, databases, user files |
| ~/Library/Preferences/[com.app.name.plist] | App settings and preferences |
| ~/Library/Caches/[App Name] | Cached files and temporary data |
| ~/Library/Containers/[App Name] | Sandboxed app data |
| ~/Library/Logs/[App Name] | Log files |
To access the Library folder: open Finder, click “Go” in the menu bar, hold the Option key, and click “Library” (it’s hidden by default). Browse the folders above and delete anything related to the app you removed.
Use a Third-Party Uninstaller
For a cleaner removal that catches all leftover files, use a dedicated uninstaller app.
AppCleaner (free): Drag any app onto AppCleaner’s window and it finds all related files across your system. Review the list and click “Remove” to delete everything. This is the simplest and most popular option.
CleanMyMac (paid, $35/year): Includes an uninstaller that finds and removes all app leftovers, plus other cleanup tools for caches, system junk, and malware scanning.
These tools are most useful for apps that create a lot of support files – development tools, creative apps, and games tend to leave the most behind.
Delete Apps That Won’t Delete
System apps: macOS prevents you from deleting built-in apps like Safari, Mail, Messages, FaceTime, and others. These are part of the operating system. You can’t remove them through normal means, and attempting to do so through Terminal (using sudo rm) can break your system. If you don’t want to see them, remove them from the Dock and Launchpad.
Apps that say “in use”: If you get an error that the app can’t be deleted because it’s in use, quit the app first (right-click its Dock icon and select Quit, or press Command + Q while the app is active). If it still won’t delete, check Activity Monitor (Applications, then Utilities, then Activity Monitor) for any background processes related to the app and force-quit them.
Apps installed by an admin: On shared Macs, some apps require admin privileges to delete. Enter the admin password when prompted. If you don’t have admin access, ask the Mac’s administrator to remove the app.
Reinstall Deleted Apps
App Store apps: Open the App Store, click your profile icon, and go to “Purchased” (or “My Purchases”). Find the app and click the download button. Previously purchased apps are free to re-download.
Non-App Store apps: Re-download from the developer’s website. If you no longer have the license key, check your email for the original purchase confirmation.
How do I free up the most space quickly?
Go to System Settings, then General, then Storage. macOS shows a breakdown of what’s using space. Click “Applications” and sort by size. Games, creative apps (Xcode, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro), and development tools are typically the largest. Removing one large app can free up 5 to 20 GB instantly.
Will deleting an app delete my data?
It depends on the app. Some apps store data within the app bundle (deleted when you remove the app). Others store data in your Documents folder, iCloud, or the Library folder (stays after deletion). If you’re unsure, check for important files in the app before deleting. Apps like Photos and Music store their data in separate library files that aren’t affected by deleting the app.
Can I delete apps from the Dock without uninstalling them?
Yes. Drag the app icon off the Dock and hold until you see “Remove.” Release the icon and it disappears from the Dock. The app itself stays installed on your Mac and is still accessible through Launchpad, Finder, or Spotlight search. This just cleans up your Dock without uninstalling anything.
See also: How to Clear Cache on MacBook Pro, How to Change MacBook Wallpaper, How to Screen Record on MacBook Pro
Sources
Apple – Delete Apps on Mac | Apple – Free Up Storage on Mac