Mac OS X is, without a doubt, a great operating system. However, it seems to be a bit complicated for new users to understand in the beginning. Regular tasks such as uninstalling an application are also prone to complications. In this article, we will show you various methods for removing apps on a Mac. You can also delete the built-in apps from the system with the help of other software. On the other hand, you can get rid of regular apps by following a simple set of steps.

Unlike Windows, OS X lacks a dedicated app uninstaller. We think Apple needs to take a cue from Microsoft on this at least. A dedicated app removal function could save us all a lot of time. Having said that, there are still a lot of simpler ways to get rid of unwanted apps on OS X and we have listed them all.

The Mac maintenance and security app called Combo Cleaner is a one-stop tool to detect and remove GoSearch virus. This technique has substantial benefits over manual cleanup, because the utility gets hourly virus definition updates and can accurately spot even the newest Mac infections. If your Mac has unused accounts that are taking up disk space, there’s a simple way to delete them. Here's how you remove those accounts in a few simple steps.

One of the simplest ways is through the applications window, while the other methods include Launchpad and third-party applications like AppCleaner.

Removing Mac Apps natively

The easiest way to get rig of Mac apps is through the Application menu. Here is the step by step guide:

1. Go to Finder
2. Click on the “Applications” option on the left menu
3. Select the particular app that you want to delete
4. Drag it to “Trash” or Select it and press ⌘+Delete on your keyboard
5. Enter your Mac password to complete the process (if prompted)
6. Go to Trash and Click “Empty” option in the top right corner for permanent removal

Or You can perform the same task by opening the Launchpad. Here is how you can do that:

1. Go to Launchpad (usually on the F4 key)
2. Drag and Drop the app to the Trash
3. Select “Delete” when the program prompts – Are you sure you want to delete this app?
4. Go to Trash and Click “Erase” option in the top right corner for permanent removal

The steps above are the easiest ones that you can follow to remove any app from Mac OS X. However, these actions do not assure complete removal of the app as most of the apps tend to leave cache files on the system. For total elimination of the app along with its junk files (associated files and folders), you need to delete it through third-party programs like AppCleaner.

Uninstalling Mac Apps Using Extra Tools (for Junk Files/Cache)

One of the most unsettling issues on OS X is that when uninstalling apps, a lot of unwanted files get left behind. For finishing the unfinished business of junk file, we need to welcome the third-party apps like AppCleaner into the scene.

How to permanently remove Max applications using AppCleaner

1. Download “AppCleaner” by freemacsoft – download it directly (not the one from the App Store)
2. Open the AppCleaner and click on confirm to grant access to the app
3. Now open AppCleaner and select the app that you want to delete from the list on the left side
4. Select all the boxes that appear on the right side
5. Click on Remove Files

If you do not want to use third-party apps to remove Cache from your Mac, you can also use the “Library” function. This feature is available in Finder. Here is how you can use it:

1. Open Finder
2. Hold Alt/Option key on your keyboard
3. Keep holding Option key and click on “Go” option on the address bar
4. Click on “Library” option
5. Select “Cache” folder
6. Delete the folder of the app that is no longer in use

Uninstalling Apps Like Flash, MacKeeper

There are many apps on our Mac that we want to delete but cannot remove due to system-imposed limitations. Thankfully, there is always a back door that you can use to achieve your goal. One of the usual suspects that we can always pick for security holes is Java. Removing Java will not affect your system in any manner. Even if it does for a particular app, then you can always install it again.

Uninstall Java from OS X

1. Open Terminal on your Mac (Press⌘+space and type Terminal)
2. Now copy-paste this command (below) to remove Java and hit enter
3. Enter your password to approve the action by pressing enter after you’re finished (sometimes nothing will happen when you start typing your password. Don’t worry, it’s still working)

Uninstall Flash Player on a Mac

Apps like Adobe Flash Player need special assistance to be removed from a Mac. Go to this link and install Flash Player Uninstaller for your OS X version. To know what version your Mac is running – Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select “About this Mac” It will show the version name and number of the Operating System. Install the “Flash Player uninstaller” accordingly.

1. Open the Uninstaller
2. Click on “Uninstall” to begin the process
3. Go to Terminal and paste these commands (below) for total clean-up

Removing Third-party apps like MacKeeper and Microsoft Office

To delete MacKeeper application, go this link and get done with your requisite. Similarly, for removing Microsoft Office – head to this link.

Deleting Mac Optimizer

1. Open Mac Optimizer on your Mac
2. Click on the Help menu in the top left corner and select “Uninstall” from the list of options
3. Select Uninstall option in the prompt window to complete the task

Conclusion

We hope these methods help you in getting rid of unwanted apps on OS X. Let us know your views through the comment section below.

You might install some apps on your Mac, but later find that they are not for you. And you want to delete those applications from your computer to save space for other items.

Actually, uninstalling applications on macOS is easier than that on Windows operating system. Here are some tips on how to uninstall or remove apps from macOS 10. 15 Catalina, macOS 10.14 Mojave and more.

How To Delete An App On Mac Without Admin Password

Delete Apps on Mac

The easiest way to uninstall an app from Mac is selecting the application's icon and move it to Trash.

1Click Finder app on the Mac dock.

2 Click the Application folder in the left side panel.

3Go through all the programs until you find the icon of the program that you want to uninstall. Right-click the icon and select Move to Trash or drag the icon right to the trash can.

Note: You can also search the app by entering the name in the search box in the upper right corner. If the program has its own uninstaller application, run the uninstaller program to remove your app.

4 Finally, right-click the trash can icon and select Empty Trash.

Note: If you run Mac as a guest, you may be asked to enter an account and password when you are removing an app. Enter an admin name and password to continue your deletion.

Why Can You Uninstall Programs on Mac by Trash?

Unlike Windows, on a Mac, applications and a user's working space are separated. Typically, programs on Mac are stored in the Application folder while users' preference files are kept in the Library folder. All files about the app are packaged together inside the Application folder, which means everything relating to the app is stored in one place.

If you find your app in the Application folder, right-click the app and select shows package contents, you'll see various files. So, when you delete it, you can delete everything relating to the app.

Uninstall Applications from Launchpad

How To Delete An App On Mac 2020

Another alternative is to use Launchpad, which offers a convenient way to uninstall applications downloaded from App Store.

1Click Launchpad, represented by a spaceship in your Mac Dock. (or click on F4)

2Scroll through the list of your installed apps, then locate the application you want to delete.

3Click and hold the app until a cross appears on the icon. (or press the Option/Alt key)

4Click the cross button in the upper left of the app icon.

To exit deletion mode, simply click anywhere on the screen that's no occupied by an app icon.

Completely Uninstall Apps on Mac

Sometimes, the methods mentioned above may not completely delete all the files relating to the apps, such as some of your preference files. And you need to remove these files from the Library folder. Here will introduce how to do that.

1Go to the Library folder: open Finder and click Go in the top bar, when the menu shows, click the Option/Alt key.

How To Delete An App Of A Mac

Note: Usually, you'll not see the Library folder in the Go menu, but it's there. It is hidden because Apple doesn't want you to delete something important.

2The Library option will appear and click the option to open the folder.

3 Go through the lists of this folder to find out the files relating to the application you are uninstalling.

4 Next, open the Application Support directories under Finder to search for data relating to the app you are removing.

Use App Uninstaller for Mac

As mentioned in the last section, the above methods are not enough. There are some tricky apps, which store associated files in the Library folder and it is not convenient to completely uninstall the app by deleting these files one by one.

Luckily, there exist some professional uninstaller apps that can help you delete those tricky apps. FonePaw MacMaster is one of the best app cleaners for Mac. It can remove your unwanted apps without leftovers only in 3 steps, which is cleaner than dragging the app into Trash.

If you want to easily, quickly and permanently uninstall an app from macOS Mojave, Catalina, etc., MacMaster can be helpful.So, how to uninstall an app from Mac in a fast and clean way with MacMaster? The following steps will show you how to do that.

Step 1Launch MacMaster and move to the Uninstaller option.

Step 2Scan the apps on your Mac and select the unneeded application.

How To Uninstall Apps On Mac

Step 3Delete the application and associated files from your Mac by clicking the Clean button.

It is pretty easy, isn't it? Give it a try to make your Mac get back to the new status.

How To Delete An App On A Mac

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