4 ways you can uninstall or delete apps on MacBook
Last Updated: 2026-05-13 11:22:02
MacBooks, Mac Studios, and iMacs all run macOS, which is an excellent operating system capable of handling multiple apps at once. And with the new MacBook Neo bringing new users to the platform, we are guiding them with some basic how-tos about macOS and the devices.
One of them is related to installing and uninstalling apps on a Mac, which is not as straightforward as it is on Windows. Depending on your Mac’s model, your storage space might be limited, which may have forced you to delete and uninstall apps.
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If you have used a Windows PC for most of your life deleting apps on a Mac can be a tad confusing. Here are multiple ways by which you can remove apps from a Mac that includes the simple drag-and-drop method to using third-party applications to uninstall various system or other software.
How to uninstall apps and programs on a Mac
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There are various ways to uninstall a program from a Mac. macOS uses disk images (.dmg) to install software, whereas some files come with a package or .pkg file labelling. Alternatively, some applications are compressed into a Zip file (.zip). You can find all the applications and programs listed in the Applications folder. Here is a step-by-step guide to uninstalling any of these apps on a Mac.
Method 1: Delete or uninstall apps from Finder
The most straightforward way to remove an app from a Mac is to use the Finder app on macOS. Here are the steps to follow:
- Make sure you've closed the app and exited it from the Dock
- Next, open the Finder app, which should be visible in the Dock.
- From the left sidebar, head to the Applications folder and subsequently click to select the app that you want to delete.
- Delete the app by holding and dragging it to the Trash or right-click and select ‘Move to Bin’ from the menu bar. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command + Delete on your keyboard.
- Depending on your system’s settings, you may be asked to authenticate the action with the Mac’s password or Touch ID to move that app to the Bin.
- Right-click on the Bin icon from the dock and choose Empty Bin to remove the app from the Mac.
Method 2: Uninstall apps from Launchpad
Launchpad provides a simple way to remove apps that were downloaded from the App Store. Here are the steps to remove those apps through Launchpad
- Open Launchpad by selecting its icon in the Dock or by pinching closed with your thumb and three fingers on the trackpad
- Scroll to find the application you want to delete or search for it through the top bar
- Press and hold the app icon until it starts to jiggle
- Click the small X button in the app icon's corner and confirm by clicking Delete.
You can also use the App Store to uninstall apps and programs on your MacBook, especially those that are purchased or downloaded from the App Store. Just open the App Store and click on your profile in the bottom left corner. Here you will find all the apps connected to your account. Click on the ‘three dots’ and select ‘Delete App’ to remove any application.
Method 3: Uninstall apps using Terminal
If you are comfortable with command-line tools, Terminal offers another way to remove apps from a Mac. This method can be useful if you are not able to remove the app using the above two methods.
- Open Terminal from the Launchpad.
- Type the following command: sudo rm -rf. However, make sure you don’t press Enter yet.
- Now, again from the Launchpad, drag across the app you wish to uninstall, and Terminal will automatically paste its path. After that, hit Enter.
- You will be asked to type your administrator password, which won’t be visible while typing
- Don’t worry, the Mac is registering your input. After you have completed typing your password, hit return to complete the action.
The Terminal app will not provide any confirmation of the deletion of the app, so make sure you select the correct app before execution.
Method 4: Uninstall apps using third-party apps
If you’re stuck with an app that can’t be deleted or uninstalled using any of the above methods, using any dedicated third-party app could be a suitable option. The Apple App Store has its fair share of uninstallers, and one of them you can check out is Delete Apps: Uninstaller (free). It’s a completely free app that requires a few staple permissions like access to your Applications folder.
Once you have given permission to the Application folder, simply select the apps you want to remove. The selected applications will then be removed from your Mac with their remaining residual data. This is probably the best method to remove an app that won’t delete through the traditional methods.