When you delete an app from your MacBook, that doesn’t mean it’s gone for good. Depending on how you delete the app, it may still use space on your hard drive. If you want to be sure that an app is gone from your MacBook for good, you can do this in a few different ways.
To delete an app, look for it in the Finder window and then move it to the Trash. Once the app is in the Trash, you can empty it, and it will be gone from your MacBook for good.
You can also use a third-party app like AppZapper or CleanMyMac X to delete an app. These programs will look through your hard drive for files related to the apps you want to get rid of and then get rid of them for you.
Lastly, you can delete an app by hand by going to your hard drive and deleting all the files that go with that app. Most of the time, you shouldn’t do this unless you know how to work with files on your hard drive.
Ways to Delete Apps on MacBook
Deleting applications on MacBook can be a hassle, but it is an essential process to maintain the device’s optimal performance. Here are some simple and effective techniques to help you delete apps on your MacBook.
- Use Launchpad:
- Click on Launchpad from Dock or find it in Spotlight Search.
- Click and hold on the app you want to delete until they jiggle.
- Click the “X” button in the corner of the app icon.
- Confirm deletion by clicking “Delete.”
- Use Finder:
- Open Finder from Dock or Find it in Spotlight Search.
- Select ‘Applications’ from the sidebar.
- Find the app that you want to uninstall, right-click and choose “Move to Trash.”
- Once finished, empty the trash.
- Use CleanMyMac X:
- Install and launch CleanMyMac X.
- Select ‘Uninstaller.’
- Choose the application you want to remove.
- Click ‘Uninstall.’
- Use Terminal:
- Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
- Type “sudo rm -rf” without quotes followed by a space
- Drag and drop the unwanted application into Terminal window
- Type Enter
Apps may leave behind associated files even after uninstalling which can take up unwanted storage space. It may be helpful to manually look for related files in ‘/Library/Application Support/’ and ‘~/Library/Application Support/’
Uninstalling applications can be time-consuming, but it guarantees efficient performance of your device while saving storage space. Avoid deleting apps that are necessary for your device’s system processes.
If not uninstalled properly, some apps that were previously deleted have posed security threats in not so distant past causing unwarranted stress for users using sensitive data due to easy accessibility through previously installed software! Be aware of potential risks with undetected residual files by performing additional steps if necessary.
If only deleting people from your life was as easy as deleting apps from your MacBook through Launchpad.
Uninstalling Apps through Launchpad
To completely uninstall apps on MacBook via Launchpad, you have two methods – the click and hold method and the tap and hold method. These simple sub-sections will guide you on the different ways to totally delete apps from your device.
Click and Hold Method
The ‘Press and Hold’ technique is a method by which one can uninstall applications from Launchpad on a Mac device. This technique is quite easy to understand and execute.
To use the ‘Press and Hold’ technique, follow these three simple steps:
- Locate the application that needs to be uninstalled within the Launchpad interface.
- Click and hold down on the application icon until it begins to wobble, or a small cross appears at the top left corner of the icon.
- Once the cross appears, click it to uninstall the application from your device.
It’s important to note that this method only works for third-party applications downloaded through the App Store or other means. Pre-installed applications cannot be uninstalled using this method.
As an alternative option, users can also delete applications through Finder or using Terminal commands in their Mac device.
An interesting fact about Launchpad is that while it was originally introduced in OS X Lion, its design was heavily influenced by the iPhone and iPad operating systems.
Uninstalling apps through Launchpad is like a game of whack-a-mole, except you’re trying to permanently eliminate pesky icons instead of playful rodents.
Tap and Hold Method
When removing apps on your Mac, the Press and Hold Approach is a user-friendly method that works through Launchpad.
To uninstall apps using the Touch and Hold technique, follow these six steps:
- Open Launchpad by clicking its Dock icon or pressing F4 on your keyboard.
- Pinch in with two fingers on your trackpad or double-tap with one finger to enter edit mode.
- Tap and hold down the app you want to get rid of until it starts shaking, just like your iPhone’s home screen.
- Click on Delete for any removal confirmation prompts indicated under the app’s icon or by dragging the app to the Trash bin in Dock mode.
- Select Empty Trash when finished deleting all selected applications.
After following these procedures, repeat this process with other software until you no longer need them.
Make sure that you only remove third-party applications from trusted websites. To prevent accidentally deleting important files, it is also necessary to use caution while tapping and holding; small errors can lead to big mistakes.
You can’t hide from me, app. I know where you live – in the Applications folder.
Deleting Apps from the Applications Folder
To delete apps from the applications folder on your MacBook, you need to master the art of cleaning out redundant software. In order to do that with the title ‘Deleting Apps from the Applications Folder’ with sub-sections ‘Moving Apps to Trash, Emptying the Trash,’ the solution for removing apps from your MacBook is fairly simple and requires just a few easy steps.
Moving Apps to Trash
When getting rid of unwanted applications, it is essential to learn how to remove them from the device efficiently. The following steps provide a seamless way of removing apps from your device without any technical issues.
- Navigate to the Applications Folder – Find the app you wish to remove and click on it.
- Drag the Application Icon to Trash – Locate the trash area or drag-and-drop the app onto the trash bin icon on your dock.
- Permanently Delete – To complete this process, right-click on the Trash Bin, then select ‘Empty Trash.’
It’s worth noting that some applications require authentication before removing them permanently from your device. Make sure to read prompts carefully before proceeding with these actions.
Pro Tip: If there are too many apps in the Applications folder, organize them into subfolders based on their categories (e.g., Productivity Apps, Gaming Apps, Social Media Apps). This method allows for quicker identification and easy access when needed.
Trash talking has never been more satisfying than when you empty the digital trash can filled with all those useless apps.
Emptying the Trash
When removing files from your computer, it’s important to completely purge them in order to free up space on your hard drive. This process is commonly referred to as ‘Clearing the Bin’. Here are six simple steps you can follow to delete unwanted files permanently:
- Locate the trash bin icon on your computer screen.
- Click the icon to open the trash folder
- Select and highlight the files you want to remove completely.
- Right-click and choose ‘Delete’ or use keyboard shortcut Command + Delete.
- Confirm that you wish to permanently delete these items by clicking ‘Empty Trash’.
- The system will proceed with deleting all selected items, once deletion is complete a notification message will pop-up on your screen.
It should be noted that while using this process, only delete those items that you are sure you no longer need as they cannot be restored. It is best practice to check through every file before completing the deletion process. Additionally, emptying trash frequently helps maintain optimal performance of your device.
Once I accidentally deleted an important document while clearing out my trash bin. I panicked since I didn’t have a copy saved elsewhere. However, I tried a data recovery software and luckily managed to retrieve it! That experience taught me always to double-check what I am deleting when clearing my bin.
Goodbye apps, hello spacious storage – Third-party software to the rescue!
Completely Removing Apps with Third-Party Software
Third-Party Software for Complete App Deletion on MacBook
Removing apps from your MacBook can free up space and improve system performance. However, just deleting the app icon from your Dock does not entirely remove the app and its associated files from your system. Third-party software can be useful in completely removing all traces of an app from your MacBook.
Follow these 5 steps to ensure complete deletion of apps with third-party software:
- Choose a suitable third-party cleaning software (such as CleanMyMac X or AppCleaner) for your MacBook.
- Launch the chosen cleaning software and select ‘Uninstall’ or ‘Remove’ option.
- Select the application you wish to delete, then initiate the deletion process by clicking on ‘Uninstall’ or ‘Remove.’
- Review the list of associated files that pop up after uninstallation and select any unwanted remnants to delete them as well.
- Restart your MacBook once all remnants are deleted fully.
It is important to note that some third-party cleaning software can detect and remove other outdated software versions, languages, leftover files, temporary files, system extensions and plugins that are no longer utilized.
Pro Tip: Always ensure that you review the list of associated files before you complete removal so that you do not accidentally remove any valuable data related to other applications installed on your MacBook.
