How to Uninstall Apps on MacBook
There are a few ways to uninstall an app on a MacBook, including through Launchpad, Finder, or the app’s native uninstaller. These methods accomplish the same task, but each is most useful in specific situations. Here’s how to decide which method to use:
Launchpad: Use this method if you got your app from the App Store.App-provided uninstaller: Use this method if you got your app from the internet or another source, and it came with an uninstaller.Finder: Use this method if you didn’t get your app from the App Store, and the app doesn’t have an included uninstaller.
How to Uninstall Apps on a MacBook Using Launchpad
Launchpad is a quick launch feature that you can access from the Dock. It contains all the apps you’ve downloaded from the App Store, and it also allows you to delete apps using a process that will feel very familiar if you’re an iPhone user. Here’s how to uninstall MacBook apps using Launchpad:
How to Uninstall Apps on a MacBook Using Finder
While you might think of your desktop as just that, it’s really an app running called Finder. Finder is an app that provides access to your files, apps, and as well as other features. It includes an applications section where you’ll find all of your apps, including apps you got from the internet and other sources. If your app didn’t come with a dedicated installer, you can delete it through Finder. Here’s how to uninstall MacBook apps using Finder:
How to Uninstall a MacBook App Using Its Uninstaller
An uninstaller is a tool installed alongside an app and its purpose is to fully uninstall the app. If the app you want to delete came with an uninstaller, then it’s always best to use the uninstaller to remove it instead of either of the other methods. Here’s how to uninstall a MacBook app using its uninstaller:
How to Fully Remove App Files From a MacBook
Deleting an app from your MacBook removes the app itself, but the app will sometimes leave other files behind. You can safely leave these files alone in most cases, but you may want to remove them if you’re running low on hard drive space. There are a few ways to do that, like searching for and manually deleting the files, or using a free Mac cleaner app like CCleaner (there’s an optional version that’s not free) that finds and removes the leftover detritus. If you want to clean up leftover files manually, use Finder to search these locations for any files that are related to the deleted app:
~/Library/Application Support~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins~/Library/Preferences~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter~/Library/Saved Application State~/Library/Caches
You can move any files you find to the trash, and then empty the trash to free up space. Be careful to only remove files that are actually related to the deleted app though, as deleting files that are used by other apps can cause those apps to malfunction or even result in system instability. It’s usually recommended to leave those leftover files in place unless you are an expert user. It’s simply too easy to accidentally remove files needed by the system.
