Say Goodbye to Unnecessary Apps in a Few Simple Steps
Greetings to all Mac users out there! Do you have apps on your computer that you no longer need or want? Don’t let them take up valuable space on your hard drive – delete them! But how, you ask? That’s what we’re here for. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to delete apps on your Mac, so you can free up space and streamline your computer. Let’s get started!
Why Delete Apps on Mac?
Before we delve into the specifics of deleting apps on Mac, let’s first talk about why you should do it. There are several reasons why you might want to delete apps:
- Free up space on your hard drive
- Reduce clutter and simplify your computer
- Eliminate potential security risks from outdated or unsupported apps
Now that you know why it’s important to delete apps, let’s move on to how to do it.
How to Delete Apps on Mac: Step-by-Step Guide
Deleting apps on Mac is a straightforward process, but the steps may vary slightly depending on the version of macOS you’re using. Below are the general steps for deleting apps:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Click on the Finder icon in the Dock to open a Finder window |
| Step 2 | Click on the Applications folder in the sidebar |
| Step 3 | Find the app you want to delete and drag it to the Trash icon in the Dock OR right-click on the app and select Move to Trash |
| Step 4 | Empty the Trash by right-clicking on the Trash icon and selecting Empty Trash |
That’s it – the app is now deleted from your Mac! However, there are a few additional steps you may need to take depending on the app you’re deleting. Let’s take a closer look at these scenarios.
Deleting Built-In System Apps on Mac
You may be wondering if it’s possible to delete system apps that came with your Mac, such as Safari or Mail. While it is technically possible to delete them, we don’t recommend it. These apps are integrated into the system and may cause problems if removed. If you really want to get rid of them, you can disable them by following these steps:
- Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal)
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo chmod 000 /Applications/[APP NAME].app(replace [APP NAME] with the name of the app you want to disable) - Enter your administrator password when prompted
- Restart your Mac
Note that this will only disable the app – it won’t delete it completely. If you want to enable the app again, follow these steps:
- Open Terminal
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo chmod 755 /Applications/[APP NAME].app(replace [APP NAME] with the name of the app you want to enable) - Enter your administrator password when prompted
- Restart your Mac
Deleting Apps from Launchpad
If you prefer to use Launchpad to manage your apps, you can also delete apps from there. Here’s how:
- Open Launchpad (click on the Launchpad icon in the Dock or pinch together with your thumb and three fingers on your trackpad)
- Click and hold on the app you want to delete until it starts to jiggle
- Click on the X icon in the upper-left corner of the app icon
- Click Delete in the confirmation dialog that appears
The app will now be deleted from your Mac.
Deleting Apps with Third-Party Uninstallers
Some apps come with their own uninstallers that you can use to remove them from your Mac. If you’re not sure if an app has an uninstaller or how to use it, check the app’s website or documentation for instructions.
Deleting Apps from iCloud
If you’ve downloaded apps from the Mac App Store or iTunes, you can also delete them from iCloud. Here’s how:
- Open the App Store app (in the Applications folder)
- Click on the Purchased tab
- Find the app you want to delete and click on the X icon to its right
- Click Delete in the confirmation dialog that appears
The app will now be removed from your iCloud account and won’t appear on any of your devices.
FAQs
1. Can I recover a deleted app on Mac?
Yes, you can recover a deleted app from the Trash as long as you haven’t emptied it yet. Open the Trash, find the app, and drag it back to the Applications folder. Alternatively, you can right-click on the app and select Put Back.
2. Will deleting an app on Mac delete all its associated files?
Not necessarily. Some apps may leave behind associated files even after you’ve deleted the app itself. To ensure that all associated files are also deleted, you can use a third-party uninstaller or manually search for and delete the files.
3. Can I delete multiple apps at once on Mac?
Yes, you can select multiple apps in the Applications folder or Launchpad and drag them to the Trash all at once.
4. Can I delete apps that are currently running on Mac?
No, you must first quit the app before you can delete it. Right-click on the app in the Dock and select Quit or use the Command + Q shortcut.
5. Why do some apps have a lock icon in the Applications folder?
The lock icon indicates that the app is a system app and can’t be deleted by regular users. You may need to enter your administrator password to delete these apps.
6. Can I delete system apps on Mac?
As mentioned earlier, we don’t recommend deleting system apps on Mac as they are integrated into the system and may cause problems if removed.
7. Does deleting apps on Mac affect my data?
No, deleting apps on Mac only affects the app itself and any associated files, not your personal data or documents.
8. Can I delete apps on Mac that I paid for?
Yes, you can delete paid apps just like free apps. If you want to reinstall the app later, you can download it again from the Mac App Store or iTunes.
9. What happens if I delete an app that came with my Mac?
As mentioned earlier, we don’t recommend deleting system apps that came with your Mac as it may cause problems with the system. If you do delete one of these apps, you can recover it by reinstalling macOS.
10. Can I delete apps from iCloud without deleting them from my Mac?
Yes, deleting an app from iCloud only removes it from your iCloud account, not from your Mac. To delete an app from your Mac, you must follow the steps for deleting apps on Mac as described above.
11. Can I delete apps from my Mac remotely?
No, you can only delete apps from your Mac directly. However, if you have Family Sharing set up, you can request that a family member delete an app from their Mac.
12. Will deleting apps on my Mac make it run faster?
Deleting unnecessary apps on your Mac can free up space and improve performance, but it won’t necessarily make it run faster. Other factors such as available memory and system optimization also play a role in overall performance.
13. Can I delete apps that are in use by other users on my Mac?
No, you must have permission to delete apps on your Mac. If another user installed an app, you may need to ask them to delete it or provide you with permission to do so.
Wrapping Up
Congratulations – you’re now an expert in deleting apps on Mac! We hope this guide has been helpful in freeing up space on your hard drive and simplifying your computer. Remember, deleting apps is a quick and easy way to keep your Mac running smoothly and efficiently. So go ahead, give it a try! And if you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to us.
Happy app-deleting!
Disclaimer
The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, medical, or professional advice. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the article or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the article for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.