4 Ways to Completely Delete Apps on MacBook

We all know that deleting apps can save your Mac space. But getting rid of an unwanted app may not be as easy as you think. Did you know that the app’s related files are stored in different folders? So how you can COMPLETELY remove an app from your Mac? Read on and we’ll give you 4 easy ways to get that done.

How to Delete Apple Apps on MacBook with Launchpad

For apps downloaded directly from the Apple Store, you can remove them using Launchpad. Here's how:

step 1Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock.

step 2Find the app you want to delete.

step 3Click and hold the unwanted app until its icon starts shaking.

step 4Click X in the top-left corner of the app icon to uninstall it from your Mac.

How to Uninstall Apps on MacBook with Finder

For apps downloaded from the internet, you can use Finder to uninstall them. The process is similar for macOS Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, and Mojave.

Here are the steps:

1. Quit the app your want to uninstall.

2. Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar.

3. Locate the app you want to delete, right-click on its icon, and choose Move to Trash.

   

4. Click the Go menu in Finder and choose Go to Folder.

5. Go over the following folders one by one to delete all the related files of the app.

   • ~/Library/Application Support
   • ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins
   • ~/Library/Preferences
   • ~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter
   • ~/Library/Saved Application State
   • ~/Library/Caches
   • /Library/Caches

     

6. Empty the Trash.

How to Remove Apps on MacBook with Native Uninstaller

Some apps downloaded from the Internet come with their own uninstaller. You can easily find an application's built-in uninstaller in the Finder or in its preferences.

All you need to do is find the uninstaller and click on it to complete the removal.

How to Completely Delete Apps on MacBook with BuhoCleaner

Another way to uninstall apps is using BuhoCleaner. It is one of the best app uninstallers for Mac. Not only can you use it to delete unwanted apps in bulk, but you can also use it to quickly remove the leftover files of uninstalled apps. 

1. Launch BuhoCleaner.
2. Click App Uninstall > Scan.

   

3. Find the apps you want to uninstall, check the boxes next to them, and click the Remove button.

   

4. Switch to Leftovers if you want to delete leftovers of uninstalled apps.

   

Extra Tip: How to Remove Third-Party App Icons from Mac Menu Bar

Sometimes, even if you have uninstalled an app, you will still see its icon in the menu bar. The reason for this is that the app’s plugin has not been deleted. You can use Finder to completely erase it from your Mac.

1. On your desktop, press Shift + Command + G keys to open the Go to Folder window.
2. Go to the following 3 paths respectively to find the plist file of the app you want to delete.
   • ~/Library/LaunchAgents
   • /Library/LaunchAgents
   • /System/Library/LaunchAgents
3. Open the plist file and find its location.
4. Go to its directory, delete its related files, and then remove the plist file.
5. Restart your Mac and its icon in the menu bar will disappear.

The Bottom Line

Now that you know how to completely delete those unwanted apps, you can go ahead and free up some more space on your Mac.

By the way, BuhoCleaner is more than just an app uninstaller. It is also a Mac cleaner that can easily remove all the junk files on your Mac in just a matter of seconds. Why not check it out and see for yourself?