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Apple App Store offers millions of applications to download and install on your Mac, and if you feel some programs are useless any more, or their trial period is over, or you've found better alternatives, you can uninstall these Unwanted/Outdated programs with ease. How to uninstall default apps on Mac with Terminal. Despite the warning, it is possible to remove unnecessary standard programs via Terminal. But first, you should know that with the release of macOS 10.12 Apple has made changes in its security technology System Integrity Protection (SIP) and it now forbids modifying system items on Macs. It is generally believed that uninstalling software on Mac OS X is simple and straightforward - you can just remove apps from the Applications folder; or drag-n-drop a program to Trash; for the application downloaded from App Store, you can directly uninstall it from LaunchPad.
Removing programs from a Macintosh can be very easy. In many cases, all you have to do is drag the application's icon to the Trash. Sometimes, though, applications store the files they need to run in other locations on your computer's hard drive, and finding them can take some detective work. If you are used to the uninstall option in Windows, you have a little culture shock — macOS does not have this feature built in.
Why would you want to uninstall a program? For the same reason you occasionally tidy your office or clean your garage. Clutter breeds inefficiency. Applications take up space on your hard disk and can slow your computer. Also, a new version of a program may not work correctly unless you get rid of the old one [source: Ritchie].
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Most of the time, uninstalling is this simple:
- Exit the program you want to delete.
- Open the Applications folder, which you'll find by opening a new window in the Finder, or clicking on the hard disk icon.
- Drag the icon of the program you want to uninstall to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash.
When files for the application you want to delete are all stored in one location, dragging the icon to the Trash will take care of most of the work. In Mac talk, apps like this are 'bundled.' To see the files in an application's bundle, click on its icon while holding down the Control key. You should see an option that says, 'show package contents.' Uninstalling applications downloaded from the Mac App Store is even easier — just delete the application from the Applications Folder and its accompanying folder in UserLibraryContainers [source: Tanous].
For some other programs, removal is more complicated. When installed, these programs create files in several locations, often in the System Folder. The first step in removing them is to check the program's documentation to see if there is an uninstall utility. If your program has an uninstall utility associated with it, it may have been installed with the program or included on the disk that came with it. If you downloaded a disk image to install the software, sometimes you'll find an uninstaller there. Running an uninstall utility can make removing a program much easier.
You should be aware that removing an unbundled program by moving it into the Trash can leave behind orphan files on your computer. Preferencefiles are usually small and you might want to ignore them if you're just trying to free up disk space. Background files or support files can be larger, especially for multimedia programs like GarageBand [source: MacRumors]. These files are likely to reside in Library folders in your hard drive or Home folder. They will usually be labeled with the name of the program, like Office or Acrobat, or the developer, such as Microsoft or Adobe. You can search for the relevant names using Spotlight, which is included with the Mac OS. Drag the files you find to the trash to get rid of them [source: Tanous]. .
Check out the next page for tips to make your uninstallation go even more smoothly.
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If searching through obscure corners of your computer for what could be hundreds of files sounds like something a machine could do better than you, you're right. There are plenty of software programs that do just that. They're usually your best bet for really cleaning an app off your Mac, and some of them are free. Popular examples include AppTrap, Appcleaner, and AppZapper.
Some of the files that a program might create on your hard disk are invisible. It may be tempting, especially for neat freaks, to find and delete these files. But some files are deliberately hidden because they are essential to the computer's operating system. Deleting the wrong file could land you in deep trouble [source: Landau]. The best advice is not to go where even experienced techies fear to tread. Uninstall utilities can search out and destroy these files, but doing so on your own invites trouble.
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Another important thing to do is empty your Trash when you're finished uninstalling. Moving a program's icon to the Trash doesn't actually remove the files from your hard disk or clear up any space. Only when you empty the Trash is the application really gone.
Here are some other important tips:
- When you install a program, check to see how to uninstall it. Make a note if it has its own uninstall utility or instructions.
- Before you begin any uninstalling process, check to make sure your Trash is empty or contains nothing you might want to save.
- Log on as your computer's administrator whenever you uninstall. If you're uninstalling at work and don't have administrator privileges, you'll have to consult with your tech people [source: Ritchie].
- If you opt for a third-party uninstall utility, look at the features. Some developers charge for their software, but you may not need the bells and whistles. Free utilities may work fine.
- It often makes sense to leave preference files alone. If you ever reinstall the same software, you won't have to set the preferences.
- Suites of software from a developer, such as the Office suite from Microsoft, often share files. Removing the files of one component may affect the others, so it's good to be cautious with these [source: The X Lab].
- If, after you remove a program, the icon is still in your dock, you can get rid of it by simply dragging it off the dock and letting it go [source: Tech-FAQ].
Removing software from your Mac is a lot less of a hassle than cleaning your office or garage. But clearing away computer clutter and making space on your hard disk can be just as satisfying.
Originally Published: Aug 8, 2011
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Sources
- Landau, Ted. 'Tutorial: Now you see 'em, now you don't: Invisible files in Mac OS X,' cnet.com, May 19, 2004. (Feb. 14, 2019) https://www.cnet.com/news/tutorial-now-you-see-em-now-you-dont-invisible-files-in-mac-os-x/
- FacRumors. 'Uninstalling Applications in Mac OS X,' MacRumors.com. (Feb. 16, 2019) https://web.archive.org/web/20170715163609/http://guides.macrumors.com/Uninstalling_Applications_in_Mac_OS_Xp
- Ritchie, David. 'How to Uninstall Mac Programs,' TheMacLawyer.com. October 13, 2010. (Feb. 16, 2019) http://www.themaclawyer.com/2010/10/articles/guest-posts/guest-post-how-to-uninstall-mac-programs/
- Tanous, Jim. 'How to Uninstall & Remove Mac OS X Programs and Applications,' The Mac Observer. Feb. 1, 2013. (Feb. 16, 2019) https://www.macobserver.com/tmo/answers/how-to-uninstall-remove-mac-os-x-programs-and-applications
- Tech-FAQ. 'How to Uninstall Programs on a Mac,' Tech-FAQ.com. (Feb. 16, 2019) http://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-uninstall-programs-on-a-mac.html
- The X Lab. 'Uninstalling applications,' TheXLab.com. (Feb. 16, 2019) http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/uninstallingapps.html
By Tasnia Salinas, on January 27, 2020, in Mac Uninstaller
Summary: In this article, we show you How To Clean Uninstall All Unwanted/Outdated Programs on macOS Catalina with the best Mac App Uninstaller - Omni Remover. Make sure you have downloaded the latest version here before continuing.
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To uninstall or remove programs from your Mac is not piece of cake as you would think, as there are some roguish apps, like MacKeeper and SyphonInject. macOS doesn't have standalone App Uninstaller Programs like Windows does. If you just switched from Windows PC to macOS, or somehow you are new to Mac, you may feel confused as there is no Uninstall Programs from My Mac option. You're not alone. Even senior Mac users may have trouble of uninstalling applications, programs, extentions and widgets from their Mac computers.
macOS Catalina (macOS 10.15) has thoroughly ended support on 32-bit applications and also caused tremendous disaster on large amount of commonly used programs (like Adobe Creative Cloud, MicroSoft Office) due to its newly enhanced security gateway technology. In case you may have such a Mac App Cannot Be Opened Issue, or you simply want to get rid of a retired program on a Mac, we are going to show you how to uninstall programs on a Mac (4 Best Mac Programs Uninstall Methods Involved).
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Table of Content: How To Uninstall Programs on macOS Catalina
Part 1: How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Catalina in LaunchPad
Apple App Store offers millions of applications to download and install on your Mac, and if you feel some programs are useless any more, or their trial period is over, or you've found better alternatives, you can uninstall these Unwanted/Outdated programs with ease. Don't go that hurry to remove any programs on your Mac as sometimes your operation may cause troubles. Here are some checkpoints you'd better have a look before starting.
What You Need to Know Before Uninstalling Programs on Mac
- Mac App Removal is Permanant - To uninstall programs on a Mac, in most cases, it's permanent deletion. So make sure you have a backup copy of the program that you want to get rid of.
- Take a look on program remnant junk - By uninstalling programs on a Mac, you have good chance that a large amount of caches and leftover junk may remain and occupy your hard drive storage.
- Don't Uninstall macOS Pre-installed Programs - You can't uninstall programs that come as part of macOS. For instance, iTunes on macOS Mojave and earlier versions, Quick Time, Safari, Mail, App Store, etc, unless you use some 'hacking' skills via command line [Always Be Careful and Know Exactly What You're Doing].
The way to install app programs on a Mac is versatile. For example, you can buy and download apps programs from Apple App Store, install apps from a disc, or install third party software downloaded directly from developer homepage (Make sure the app you try to install is from an unidentified developer). That's the reason the method of uninstalling programs on your Mac varies. If your app programs are downloaded from App Store, you can uninstall them like deleting an app from your iPhone or iPad.
How-To Steps To Uninstall Unwanted/Outdated Programs on Mac Catalina
Step 1:
On your Mac, Open Launchpad by click it on Docker:
- 2
Step 2:
Long press the program icon that you want to get rid of on your Mac for 2-3 seconds > You'll see all these app icons get giggling > click the Delete button to uninstall this programs on your Mac.
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Part 2: How To Uninstall Unwanted Programs on Mac Catalina in Finder
How To Uninstall App From Mac Pro High Sierra
If you find there is no Delete icon on the jiggling apps you want to uninstall, it means these programs were downloaded from Internet or installed via disc/thumb drive. If so, you can open Finder > on Finder sidebar, click Applications, then drag the apps you don't need to Trash. Or, simple click context menu for that app, and click Move To Trash to uninstall this program from your Mac.
Most macOS software programs run maintenance support scripts, generate running log, and store cache data at predefined intervals. So to uninstall programs on a Mac isn't as straightforward as you would think. When you drag an unwanted/outdated program from Applications Folder to Trash, the main app may be gone, but many associated files and folders are left behind. You can easily delete them since it's just a matter of locating the program support files and removing those as well.
How-To Steps To Uninstall Unwanted/Outdated Programs on Mac Catalina
Step 1:
Open Finder app on your Mac > Applications > Find the programs that you want to remove:
- 2
Step 2:
Right click the program icon > Click Move To Trash to delete this program on your Mac:
- 3
Step 3:
Open Finder > in Menu, click Go > enter
~/Library
: - 4
Step 4:
Go inside of these application support data folders and search/delete for any files that are associated with the programs you want to uninstall: Application Support | Caches | Containers | Frameworks | Logs | Preferences | Saved | Application State | WebKit
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Part 3: How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Catalina Using Command Line
Uninstalling programs from Mac through Command Line/Terminal is, in most cases, for advanced Mac users who have advanced knowledge of Mac OS X. Only if you are Command Line expert and know exactly what you are doing, then you can have a try with these steps to remove your programs completely on a Mac. Don't Try this if you don't fully understand the syntax used in Command Line (How To Uninstall Xcode Command Line Tool).
How To Uninstall Apps On Macbook Air
How-To Steps To Uninstall Unwanted Programs on Mac Using Command Line
Step 1:
Trash the known application program files from your Mac by following steps mentioned above > Open Terminal:
- 2
Step 2:
Make sure you're logging in your Mac with Admin account > Use this syntax to find remnant components
mdfind -name [application name]
: - 3
Step 3:
Remove associated files from system locations with rm:
sudo rm -rf /Whatever
> Repeat as necessary with associated component files returned bymdfind
:
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Part 4: How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Catalina Using Omni Remover
Uninstalling software on Mac OS X is generally simple and straightforward, as most programs don't run background components or alter system settings files (like the Registry on Windows). However, in rare cases, if you want to remove an old, malfunctioning or corrupt program, reinstall a software to fresh register number or you need to free up space on your Mac, you hardly get a satisfied without the help from third party but professional Uninstaller Apps.
Omni Remover is what you need. This neat and agile Mac App Uninstaller program aims to ease up the pain in macOS program uninstalling and cleaning. With it, you can easy remove unwanted apps by dragging-n-dropping, while the extraordinary part is, it will automatically start scanning app leftovers, remaining caches, orphaned or corrupt junks, so as to give you complete Mac App Uninstalling solution.
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How-To Steps To Uninstall Unwanted Programs on Mac Using Omni Remover
Step 1:
Free Download Omni Remover on your Mac (Compatible with all recent macOS like macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, etc.) > Open Omni Remover.
How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Step 1 Step 2:
Choose App Uninstall in Omni Remover > Select the program you want to delete > Check the basic information, such as program version number, developer, app size (Take Chrome as an example, original install space is 403.6MB), etc.
How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Catalina Step 2 Step 3:
Click Scan to browse program cache junk, downloaded support files, and all other related remnants.
How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Catalina Step 3 Step 4:
Omni Remover will scan all this program related app junk on macOS system > After a second, you can check how much storage space (2.2GB on our end) could be reclaimed by removing this bloated program from your Mac > click Clean to continue:
How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Step 4 Step 5:
After a few seconds, Omni Remover will finish uninstalling programs from your Mac.
How To Uninstall Programs on Mac Step 5
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Part 5: More Helpful macOS Programs Removal Tips
A software program on macOS can hardly working smoothly without generating cache, cookie and other temporary application files. So it's recommended to get an expert Mac App Cleaner and Uninstaller software to keep your mac running fast and light. Get impressed by the Omni Remover cleaning result? Check all Mac App Cleaning and Uninstalling features in Omni Remover.
General Tips for Freeing Up Space on Mac:
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Unless the program you just uninstalled is downloaded from App Store, otherwise, the removal of your apps would be permanent. So alway make sure you can source of setup file for your removed apps, or create a backup before uninstalling. At last, we recommend you to download Omni Remover to start completely uninstalling Google Chrome from your Mac. Free Download >
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Version 3.2.1 (January 27, 2020) | Support macOS Catalina | Category: Mac Uninstaller
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