Taking an application off of your Mac isn’t as simple as dragging it into the trash. When you install an app, all sorts of supplementary files take up residence in your hard drive.
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USP: All-Rounder Mac Cleaner; Uninstaller, One-Click Cleaning, Duplicate Finder. On your Mac, click the Finder icon in the Dock, then click Applications in the Finder sidebar. Do one of the following: If an app is in a folder, open the app’s folder to check for an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall App or App Uninstaller, double-click it, then follow the onscreen instructions. Uninstall apps from your Mac and clean all their left-over files safely. Free Editors' rating. Publisher: Free Mac Soft Downloads: 374,828. With these steps on CleanMyMac software, you can uninstall all the selected apps that you have select for uninstalling. This software will remove all the files related to the application and it will completely uninstall the applications. However, CleanMyMac does not uninstall obligatory applications due to restrictions of Mac Operating System.
IObit Uninstaller. Includes several ways to start an uninstall. Remove programs in bulk, one after.
Once there, they’re not easy to get rid of. First, you have to find them; then, you have to make sure they’re really gone. It can be frustrating and time-consuming to do by hand, and there’s no guarantee you’ll catch all those extra files.
Over time, those extra files build up. Without even noticing it, you might be dedicating several gigabytes of your Mac’s memory to this junk data. This can be a drag on your computer’s performance, all for an app you’re not even using anymore.
Luckily, there’s a better way to get rid of these files for good. An app uninstaller is a utility that automates the different steps of app removal:
- Locating outdated or underused apps
- Finding all associated support files and caches
- Moving them to the trash
- Permanently deleting them
If you’re looking to speed up your Mac by uninstalling yesteryear’s app and its associated junk files, you need a dedicated uninstaller. And here is our top 3 list.
| Rating | Name | Features | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CleanMyMac X | Multi-uninstaller that detects unused apps | Link |
| 2 | Hazel | Automated organization of apps and folders | Link |
| 3 | AppZapper | A lightweight drag & drop uninstaller tool | Link |
Choosing the best Mac Uninstaller
But how to pick which uninstaller to use? Plenty of apps can improve your ability to get rid of junk files, but not all uninstallers are alike. Some uninstallers are a feature of a more comprehensive Mac file manager. Others are designed for only that task.
It can be hard to choose the one that suits your needs. That’s why we created the ranked roundup of the best Mac uninstallers below:
1. CleanMyMac X: A top-tier OSX uninstaller
CleanMyMac X tops our list of app uninstallers for Mac. This powerful all-in-one utility has a variety of features designed to help get the most out of your machine, including malware protection and speed optimization.
But the app’s Uninstaller module means that it can compete with single-function uninstaller apps.
By the way, this app is available for a free download — so do check it out.
CleanMyMac X starts by making the task of uninstalling apps easy. Instead of paging through your application folder, trying to remember if an app is a crucial background utility or a waste of space, you can let CleanMyMac X scan and sort your apps.
You can also arrange lists by the last time you used an app, sort apps by vendors like Adobe, or focus on specific categories, like apps from the App Store.
CleanMyMac X is an app uninstaller that is notarized by Apple, which means it’s safe from malicious files.
When it scans for installed apps, CleanMyMac X automatically locates all the app leftovers, the data caches, and associated files that support each app. When the list gives a number for how much space an app is taking up, that number includes this extra system junk, so you can be sure you’re maximizing your disk space.
You stay in control through the whole process. CleanMyMac X lets you select specific apps from its scan list, and delete them permanently along with their support files. Plus, its disk scan will show you how much space you’re freeing up in real time.
CleanMyMac X wins our top spot for its level of sorting flexibility and control combined with deep-cleaning power for your hard drive.
You can also reset apps with this program. By resetting, I mean restoring any app to its default settings. When you reset an app with CleanMyMac X, it will keep your user-created files intact so you won’t lose your projects.
Use app reset when:
- apps are out of sync
- apps are not launching
- apps keep crashing
How to reset applications with CleanMyMac X:
- Download the free version of the app.
- Click on the Uninstaller tab.
- Select an app from the list.
- Click on the dropdown menu under “Uninstall” and choose Reset.
2. Hazel: A handy uninstaller for Mac
Hazel is another app with the power to get rid of unneeded apps and junk for good. Another tool with a range of possible uses, Hazel lets you create condition-based rules that automate certain actions on your Mac.
This is useful for file organization, photo naming, archiving, and generally keeping your desktop clean. But this function also shines when you need to get rid of apps for good.
Hazel lets you set up special rules for your trash, ensuring that files don’t sit in the bin for too long and take up space on your drive. You can configure the app to automatically empty your trash when it reaches a certain size, or to toss apps when they get too old.
Hazel’s App Sweep automatically searches for support files when you delete an app and gives you the option to get rid of them as well.
Hazel’s rule-based interface certainly makes it useful as an app uninstaller, but some may find it a little more complicated to use. It also lacks some features for identifying and comparing unused apps.
3. App Zapper: A leading app uninstaller for Mac
With App Zapper, drag and drop is the name of the game. This compact uninstaller lets you pull applications from your drive into its interface, then hunts down all the related support files. It stands out for its simplicity and for the depth of its cleanups.
You can also consult the Hit List, an automated list of apps with files taking up space on your hard drive. All you do is select the unwanted app and its support files and hit the Zap button to remove them for good.
Well, almost for good. If the thought of deleting apps permanently makes you nervous, App Zapper has the tool for you. Its “undo” feature lets you unzap files you may have deleted by mistake, reducing the risk that you’ll get rid of something important.
App Zapper is simple but thorough. The app can remove:
- Widgets
- Plugins
- Settings
- Junk files
- And more
App Zapper stands out as a straightforward and powerful tool for uninstalling unwanted apps.
4. AppDelete: a powerful Mac app uninstaller
AppDelete is another quick and effective single-purpose uninstaller. Like many of its competitors, this app seeks out and eliminates hard-to-find support files and junk data from the apps you delete. These include widgets, screensavers, preference panes, and other files you might not know were taking up room on your Mac.
When it comes to tossing out unwanted files, AppDelete stands out for its flexibility. While it can permanently remove files from your hard drive, it also gives you the option to log those files or archive them in a space-saving .zip format. This can help improve your Mac’s performance without permanently losing data.
AppDelete has an undo feature that you can use to restore files you deleted by accident.
If you’re looking for a simple-to-use app uninstaller, AppDelete is a strong option. Some users might prefer an uninstaller that’s offers a wider variety of file management functions, but AppDelete does what it does at a high level.
For a more comprehensive file manager with comparable uninstall functions, try CleanMyMac X.
5. TrashMe: an efficient app uninstaller for Mac
The name says it all: TrashMe hunts down your junk files, whether they belong to an app or not. This uninstaller for Mac not only gets rid of your unwanted apps and their support files, but also seeks out unnecessary duplicates and redundant files, giving you the option to toss them permanently.
It also cleans out your cache to give you back all the disk space it can. TrashMe can even find and erase incomplete downloads and “orphaned” files, which may not show up on other scans.
TrashMe can find incomplete downloads that waste your disk space.
With its thorough scanning and deletion features, TrashMe is a great option for completely uninstalling apps. It also offers a high level of control. Instead of emptying the whole Trash bin, TrashMe lets you select which files to delete permanently and which you want to leave in the trash in case you need them later.
Users who like its deep searches should also check out CleanMyMac X, which offers fine-tuned detection.
6. TuneUpMyMac: a flexible app uninstaller
TuneUpMyMac is a full-featured app uninstaller. It stands out for the range of scans and operations it can perform.
Unlike some of its competitors, which only have a drag-and-drop window or list, TuneUpMyMac has an extensive interface that clearly organizes its features. This means you can do specific tasks, like finding duplicates, without starting a complete scan-and-delete process.
This uninstaller also actively suggests file types that you can safely delete to free up disk space, including unused languages and redundant logs. It also features “one-click cleaning,” which automates several tasks and makes cleanup faster and easier.
TuneUpMyMac hasn’t been updated recently, which may impact its performance with newer computers. Still, it’s a solid option for people looking to free up disk space.
A few final remarks
All these Mac uninstallers are similar in functionality. But speaking of the design and user-friendliness, CleanMyMac X, leaves its counterparts way behind, in my opinion. For example, the visual cues are crystal-clear and the also app gives you personalized tips, like “you have 4 unused apps you can delete.”
That was our take on best Mac apps to delete other apps. Now try them in action and start deleting things — getting rid of old clutter is such a relief!
Whether you’re trying to clear up hard drive space or you just want to get rid of an unused app, uninstalling software is a fairly routine task.
Luckily for Mac users, the uninstallation process is a lot simpler on macOS than it is on other platforms. In fact, it’s literally drag-and-drop simple. There’s no “Uninstall Programs” menu in Control Panel like there is in Windows.
Having said that, there are a couple of ways you can actually go about uninstalling apps. Here’s what you need to know.
Uninstall Mac Apps Via Finder
The traditional method for uninstalling apps is to use Finder. If you’re running a particularly old version of macOS (or OS X), this is the method you’ll use.
- Open a Finder window.
- Click on the Applications folder.
- Select the app you want to uninstall.
- Right-click the application.
- In the menu that pops up, click on Move to Trash.
Alternatively, you can simply drag the application directly to the Trash icon. (It’ll be in the bottom-right corner of the Mac taskbar. You may need to hover over the bottom of the display to get it to show.)
Once the app is sent to Trash, there is one more step you’ll need to take to completely rid your computer of it.
This is also the last time to reinstall an app you’ve recently deleted if you changed your mind. Just drag an app from Trash back to the Applications folder. Or right-click on the app in the Trash folder and click Put Back.
But to permanently delete apps from your computer, simply right-click the Trash icon in the bottom-right corner of the menu bar. Then, click on Empty Trash. Depending on how much data is in your Trash can, this could take a moment.
Uninstall Mac Apps from Launchpad
The last method is incredibly simple, but OS X Lion and newer versions of the Mac operating system have an easier method.
First, you’ll need to open Launchpad. There are two ways to go about this.
- Click the Launchpad icon in the taskbar. It’s shaped like a gray rocket, or six squares.
- Alternatively, you can use a Multi-Touch gesture. Simply pinch your thumb and three fingers together to display Launchpad.
From here, the process is similar to iOS.
- Click and hold the icon of the app you’d like to uninstall.
- Wait until the app icon begins to jiggle.
- When it does, click the circular black X icon that appears next to it.
- You’ll be a prompt asking you to confirm. Click on Delete.
It’s worth noting that the Launchpad method won’t work on every app. Typically, it’ll only show up on apps that you’ve downloaded from the Mac App Store.
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Similarly, unlike iOS, you won’t be able to delete native macOS applications like Safari, Mail or Photos.
Using an Uninstaller for Mac Apps
While these methods will cover the vast majority of apps you interact with on a daily basis, there is another method for certain applications.
Although uncommon, some apps will have their own dedicated uninstallers. This is especially true for app suites like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud.
Basically, these app suites come with an uninstaller app because they tend to install other software or support apps. If you install Photoshop on your Mac, for example, Adobe might install a suite of other apps like Adobe Bridge or Adobe Content Viewer along with it.
To do away with an app suite, you can either hunt down each individual app and delete them separately. Or, you can use the uninstaller app that came with the suite.
Generally, it’s recommended that you use the uninstaller. The official uninstall process will typically clean up app data and other miscellaneous files that might otherwise be left behind.
How to Clean Up Leftover Files
Though this isn’t true across the board, some apps will “leave behind” random bits of data or other files. For the most part, there’s really no harm in this. But these leftover files can take up a bit of space on your drive.
If you’re particularly space-conscious, you might want to go through the process of cleaning them up.
The quickest way to do so is to use a third-party utility app that will automatically locate and delete that leftover data, preference files and caches. An app like AppCleaner is a great choice.
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Use AppCleaner to Clean Up Files
AppCleaner is free and incredibly simple to use. Once you download and install it, follow these steps before you uninstall the actual app.
- Open AppCleaner.
- Drag an application to the AppCleaner window.
- It’ll scan and find all associated files.
- Be sure to “check” the files and folders that you want AppCleaner to delete.
- Click the Remove button.
- You’ll usually need to login with an administrator account to authenticate.
Once you do, AppCleaner will move the app and its associated files to the Trash.
AppCleaner also has a “SmartDelete” option that’s located in its Preferences menu. This will save you from having to checkmark each file or folder before AppCleaner removes them.
As with the other methods explained above, you’ll need to empty the Trash before the apps (and their files) are actually deleted from your hard drive.
Manually Clean Up Leftover Files
If you don’t want to use a third-party option, you’ll need to dig around and find those files yourself. It’s not the hardest thing to do, but it requires a bit of know-how.
You will find these leftover bits of data in your Library folder. Here’s how to get to it.
- Open a Finder window.
- Click on the Go menu in the top menu bar.
- Hold down the Option key.
- You’ll see a new folder pop up titled Library.
- Click on Library.
From here, it’s just a matter of searching out the individual leftover files. They might include application support files, preference files, and caches.
In the Library folder:
- Application support files will be located in the Application Support
- Preference files will be located in the Preferences
- Caches will be located in the Caches
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Click on any of the above folders. Then, locate a subfolder named after the app you’ve uninstalled. Occasionally, the folder will be named after the app developer, rather than the app.
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You can either delete the individual files within that subfolder, or just delete the subfolder itself.
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