How to uninstall apps in macOS

Keep your storage clear

We’ve all been there: you downloaded Evernote or Gimp or Microsoft Office because you thought it might be fun — useful, even — but you didn’t end up using it, something better came out, or you’ve just gotten bored and it’s time for it to go. Never fear — uninstalling an app from macOS is a simple process that takes just a few seconds.

The process is slightly different for apps you downloaded from the internet and those you got from the App Store. Here’s how to clean out both.

UNINSTALL APPS FROM THE APP STORE

To uninstall apps you got from the App Store, you’ll need to use Launchpad.

• Click the Launchpad icon on the dock (it’s a spaceship)

• Click and hold any app until all of the icons start shaking
• Find the program you want to delete, and tap the Delete button (it looks like an X)

If the app you want to delete doesn’t have a delete button, then that app can’t be removed with LaunchPad. If that’s the case, follow the steps below.

UNINSTALL APPS FROM THE INTERNET

If you installed an app from the internet (or if you’re old-school and used a disc), you’ll need to use Finder to get rid of it.

• Click the Finder icon in your dock (it’s the blue square with a smiley face)
• Click “Applications” on the left side of the window

• Select the app you want to uninstall

• Drag the app to the trash can on your dock. (If the app is in a folder, open the folder first to see if there’s an Uninstaller tool.) You can also right-click on the icon and select “Move to Trash.”