Uninstall or remove apps and programs on your Mac

Uninstall apps on your Mac

Deleting or uninstalling an app removes it from your Mac and makes the storage space it was using available for other items. You can do this from Launchpad or the Finder.

Use Launchpad to delete apps that were downloaded from the App Store

Launchpad offers a convenient way to delete apps that you downloaded from the App Store. 

  1. To open Launchpad, click it in the Dock or open it from your Applications folder. Or pinch closed with your thumb and three fingers on your trackpad.
  2. If you don’t see the app in Launchpad, type its name in the search field at the top of Launchpad. If you have more than one page of apps, you can switch pages by clicking the dots at the bottom of the screen, or by swiping right or left with two fingers on your trackpad.
  3. Press and hold the Option key, or click and hold any app until the apps jiggle.
  4. Click the Delete button  next to the app that you want to delete, then click Delete to confirm. The app is deleted immediately.
uninstall apps

If you can’t delete an app from Launchpad: The Delete button  appears only for apps that you downloaded from the App Store. Delete other apps using the Finder instead. 

Use the Finder to delete apps

  1. Switch to the Finder, such as by clicking your desktop or the Finder icon in the Dock.
  2. Select the app that you want to delete.
    Most apps are in your Applications folder, which you can open by clicking Applications in the sidebar of any Finder window. Or choose Go > Applications from the menu bar in the Finder.
  3. Use any of these ways to move the app to the Trash:
    • Drag the app to the Trash.
    • Select the app and choose File > Move to Trash from the menu bar.
    • Select the app and press Command-Delete on your keyboard.
  4. If you’re asked for a user name and password, enter the name and password of an administrator account on your Mac. This is usually the name and password you use to log in to your Mac.
  5. To delete the app after moving it to the Trash, choose Finder > Empty Trash.
The Trash icon in the Dock

If you can’t move an app to the Trash: You can’t use the Finder to delete apps that are required by your Mac, such as many of the apps installed by macOS.

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