- Next, click on the “Login Items” tab. Doing so will present you with a list of programs that automatically start when your turn your Mac on. Scan the list to see if there are any unwanted or suspicious apps. When you find an unwanted app, select it by clicking on it, and hit the “-” button to remove it.
- Top 5 app cleaners for Mac. Below are 5 great apps for uninstalling software. Choose the one that works best for you. CleanMyMac X does so much more than just remove unwanted apps and free up valuable space.
- Apple App Store offers millions of applications to download and install on your Mac, and if you feel some programs are useless any more, or their trial period is over, or you've found better alternatives, you can uninstall these Unwanted/Outdated programs with ease.
Use Launchpad to delete an app
Launchpad offers a convenient way to delete apps that were downloaded from the App Store.
- To open Launchpad, click it in the Dock or open it from your Applications folder. You can also pinch closed with your thumb and three fingers on your trackpad.
- If you don't see the app in Launchpad, type its name in the search field at the top of the screen. Or swipe right or left with two fingers on your trackpad to show the next or previous page.
- Press and hold the Option (⌥) key, or click and hold any app until the apps jiggle.
- Click next to the app that you want to delete, then click Delete to confirm. The app is deleted immediately. Apps that don't show either didn't come from the App Store or are required by your Mac. To delete an app that didn't come from the App Store, use the Finder instead.
Deleting an app doesn't cancel any subscription you may have purchased with that app. Learn how to cancel subscriptions for apps that were downloaded from the App Store.
How To Delete Downloads On Mac
Use the Finder to delete an app
To remove a widget from Dashboard, be sure that the Widget Bar is displayed (click the open ( + ) button in the lower-left corner of the screen) Then click the unwanted widget's close button (the round, black button with a white X).
- Locate the app in the Finder. Most apps are in your Applications folder, which you can open by clicking Applications in the sidebar of any Finder window. Or use Spotlight to find the app, then press and hold the Command (⌘) key while double-clicking the app in Spotlight.
- Drag the app to the Trash, or select the app and choose File > Move to Trash.
- If you're asked for a user name and password, enter the name and password of an administrator account on your Mac. This is probably the name and password you use to log in to your Mac.
- To delete the app, choose Finder > Empty Trash.
How To Delete Files On A Mac
Learn more
To use an app again after deleting it, either reinstall it or restore it from a backup.
- To reinstall apps that were installed as part of macOS, reinstall macOS. This applies to apps such as Safari, iTunes, Books, Messages, Mail, Calendar, Photos, and FaceTime.
- You can also redownload apps, music, movies, TV shows, and books that were installed from the App Store, iTunes Store, or Apple Books.
Learn how to delete apps on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Learn what to do if the Dock contains an icon with a question mark.