How To Uninstall App In Mac Sierra

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The simplest way to get rid of the old or useless applications from macOS is through their uninstallation. Deleting apps from Apple computers is by design simpler and faster than doing the same on Windows PCs.

How Do I Cleanly Uninstall an App In MacOs High Sierra? I usually install app just to try. And I cannot help me with that junk the apps left. Is it better to backup before install the app and revert the system with time machine after the trial? Apps on Mac don’t really create junk the way that apps on other systems do (or did, years ago).

To begin with, we’ll cover the easy way to remove the app from macOS Sierra or macOS High Sierra with the help of built-in utilities. However, even simpler methods exist, but they will be covered after we examine traditional approach.

The Classics: Delete Apps from the Finder

Since the dawn of Apple computers, the traditional method of deleting apps was associated with the native Mac OS tool called Finder. For starters, we will describe how to remove any software from the computer with the help of Finder (for example, uninstall Steam on Mac).

Here is a step-by-step guide to the classical way of eliminating applications – that is, via Finder:

  1. Launch Finder.
  2. Open the Applications folder.

In case the target application is located in a separate folder, open it to find out whether it has a built-in uninstaller. If yes – launch it and stick to the developer’s guidelines. If a software has no folder or special native uninstaller, just drag the app’s icon from Applications to the Trash bin. Trash is located at the end of the Dock.

Note that at this point you still can restore the selected item. For this, open Trash, select the file’s icon and choose File → Put Back.

  1. Optionally, you can plough through Library folder to check out if there are some residual data left after the main app’s removal and eliminate it manually.
  2. Once you’ve made sure that you want to remove the app permanently, select Finder → Empty Trash.

NB Command + Delete keys combination is another method to place the chosen application into Trash.

Here’s how you can remove the app from Mac by the example of Steam (the ultimate online game platform):

  1. Open the Applications folder.
  2. Drag and drop Steam to the Trash.
  3. Launch Finder and browse to Application Support, which is located in Hard Drive → Users → [Mac’s Username] →Library.
  4. Now, toss the Steam folder with all its contents to the Trash.
  5. Empty Trash.

That is how you prevent yourself from playing the Steam supported games.

Uninstalling Apps from the Mac App Store through Launchpad

There’s another method to remove applications on Mac – via Launchpad. The trick is, this way can be applied only to those apps you have downloaded from the official App Store. It just won’t work for the third-party apps obtained elsewhere.

  1. Launch Launchpad.
  2. Click and keep holding the target software’s icon.
  3. Wait until it starts jiggling. Then, push the X icon that will appear next to the app you’re trying to uninstall.
  4. The dialog window will pop up requesting your confirmation. Press Delete to verify your decision.

In case the X sign does not appear near the app after you click and hold its icon, you won’t be able to delete it through Launchpad.

How to Fully Uninstall Apps on Mac: The Comprehensive Approach

Without erasing the applications’ library and support files, caches and preferences, it is impossible to uninstall the software completely. These elements are also known as the leftovers. The support files do not usually weigh too much, but still might be a thorn in the eye. Besides, if you leave the support files each time you delete another application, sooner or later your system will be full of suchlike garbage!

That is a bit more complicated manual process, which can be avoided thanks to the third-party cleaners. However, if you believe that you can handle it without erasing something really important – welcome! Check the variety of locations to make sure the app is gone forever with all its supporting elements.

  • To detect the Application Support files (preferences, caches, temporary files), go to: ~/Library/Application Support/(App Name)
  • To find the left Preferences, have a look at: ~/Library/Preferences/(App Name)
  • App’s Caches are saved in: ~/Library/Caches/(App Name)

From time to time, it is necessary to learn the developer’s name – some types of software cannot be defined by its name only.

In case you are an owner of a tiny SSD with the limited storage space, it is important to take care of the leftovers. One app which definitely leaves tones of junk is Steam, so when you decide to get rid of this gaming platform completely, the method described above is not enough, and you should search for the supporting files in the offered locations.

Under the Hood: How to Delete Default Mac OS Apps

Mind that the offered method will lead to the complete deletion of the default macOS apps. It may be the cause of the abnormal operating system behavior and errors in work. So we strongly advise you start with making a backup – that’s an ironclad rule before performing any significant cleaning or maintenance tasks on a Mac.

After you’re done with the backup, do the following:

  1. Launch Mac’s Terminal. To do so, go Applications.
  2. Enter the special command in the offered line: cd /Applications/
How to uninstall app in mac os high sierra

This action will take a Mac owner to the Applications folder where he may remove default applications. The system won’t even ask for your verification, so be careful and think twice before erasing anything. Once you are sure, apply the corresponding commands to each unwanted app.

Toss Away Safari

sudo rm -rf Safari.app/

Get Rid of FaceTime

sudo rm -rf FaceTime.app/

Delete Mail

sudo rm -rf Mail.app/

Remove QuickTime Player

sudo rm -rf QuickTime Player.app/

How To Uninstall App In Mac Sierra

Eliminate Photo Booth

sudo rm -rf Photo Booth.app

Tired of Stickies?

How To Uninstall App In Mac Sierra Mac

sudo rm -rf Stickies.app/

Armed with the knowledge provided in this article, you can become a true guru of keeping your Mac clean and uncluttered.

Have you ever installed an app on your MacBook Pro only to find that it isn’t quite what you’re looking for? Maybe you just used an app for a while, but it’s no longer needed.

Whether you’re trying to save space on your hard drive or just want to get rid of bothersome app files, uninstalling these apps can be bothersome. Especially if you’re new to the Mac, the process of deleting unwanted apps can be confusing.

In this guide, we’ll show you some built-in, free, and paid methods for clearing up apps thoroughly; together with the pros and cons of each method.

We’ll also point out some additional features that will also free up space and keep your MacBook Pro from getting bogged down with old files.

1. Move to Trash

While you may have used the trash for standard files like old documents and images, the trash is a method of uninstalling apps on your MacBook as well. Here’s how to do it:

First, open Finder and locate the app you want to delete. Select it by clicking once, so that it is highlighted.

Then, press control + trackpad to bring up the supplementary menu. Here, you can select Move to Trash. Once you do, the application will be automatically moved to the trash and disappear from the Finder window you are viewing.

Once the application is in the trash, you can no longer use it. However, it is still taking up space on your computer until you empty the trash. To do this, open the Trash from your dock, then navigate to the top right corner of the window, where it says “Empty”.

Once you empty the trash, the window will close automatically, and you’ll have regained some valuable disk space for future use.

2. Uninstall Apps with AppCleaner

One software you can use to remove unwanted applications is AppCleaner. Because third-party applications distribute their files throughout your disk rather than storing them in a single location, you may accidentally leave chunks of the application on your Mac even after you think you’ve deleted it. AppCleaner will make sure to catch these extra files, even when you don’t know they exist.

Pros:

  • It’s completely free.
  • Extremely effective at removing hidden extra folders when you want to get rid of an entire application rather than just the surface level files.
  • Easy to use, simply drag unwanted apps into the window and let AppCleaner find all the files associated with it

Cons:

  • Downloading an app to remove apps seems a bit counterproductive.
  • Doesn’t have support/a help reference, but the app should be pretty easy to use anyways.

3. Remove Apps with CCleaner

Completely Delete Software In Mac

Just like AppCleaner, CCleaner for Mac will remove hidden files associated with an unwanted app. However, it has a greater variety of features and tools. If you’re looking for something a wider set of abilities, this might be the more fitting app.

Pros:

  • Fast and easy application uninstaller for catching unseen folders.
  • Also includes general file cleaner for places where temporary files collect and eat up space such as Safari’s catch, preferences, and downloads.
  • Junk files can be scheduled for regular deletion so you can worry about more important tasks.

Cons:

  • If you want to access all the features, you’ll need to pay for the upgraded version.
  • Some users report complications when trying to select which files to delete and which to keep.

4. Via CleanMyMac Uninstaller

If you want a sleek, long-term solution to ridding yourself of unwanted apps and files, CleanMyMac X is a well-developed app that will keep your Mac in top shape. In addition to offering the smart Uninstaller that allows you to remove apps in batch and grabs hidden folders, it can also scan for junk files and securely delete sensitive files. Made by MacPaw, it’s an application you can trust to work smoothly and do exactly what it claims to.

Pros:

Unable To Delete Apps Mac

  • Smart uninstaller makes sure all files associated with a program are deleted and not left behind to take up space.
  • Clean out system junk and unnecessary files with tools to delete unwanted attachments or full caches.
  • Integrates with iPhoto (now Photos) to reduce space taken by photos on your Mac.
  • The combination of tools will help make any MacBook that feels sluggish get back to speed with very little effort on your part.
  • Plenty of support and help resources, an extremely clean interface for easy and intuitive use.

Cons:

  • Not a free software (though a trial version is available and allows you to remove up to 500 MB data), this is understandable given the breadth of features available.

5. Via MacBooster Uninstaller

How To Uninstall App In Mac Sierra Version

Another great alternative for clearing out old apps and programs is MacBooster, made by IOBit. Besides removing apps from your MacBook, it also includes a built-in junk file remover and a duplicate file identifier. The duplicate identifier is especially useful because it can eliminate everything from double pictures to over-saved documents, among other files that can quickly add up over time.

Pros:

  • Clean and simple interface, intuitive to use.
  • Combines duplicate file searching program with junk file eliminator for the greatest level of excess file removal.
  • Can find unknown folders attached to unwanted apps and delete them to save you space and completely erase unnecessary files.
  • Optimize the memory on your MacBook and keep everything running smoothly with just one program, and keep track of everything with the menu bar widget.

Cons:

How To Uninstall Programs In Mac Sierra

  • Excessive cleaning can be detrimental to Mac performance as your laptop rebuilds necessary caches it references frequently.
  • It’s not freeware, though a free evaluation version is available.

We hope this guide has given you an idea of the many ways you can rely on to keep your Mac clean of unwanted apps and make it run at peak performance even after long periods of use.

The built-in process of moving an application to the trash will always work, but if you want to go a bit deeper, all the apps mentioned above can fill in the gap and provide additional services.

Got an app that doesn’t seem to delete or keeps reappearing? You may have a virus or malware on your Mac – these are possible to accidentally catch on Mac and you’ll want to check out this article from MacWorld on how to remove them from your MacBook.

How To Uninstall App In Mac Sierra

What’s your preferred method for removing apps on your MacBook Pro? Tell us more in the comments below.