Getting rid of unwanted applications and freeing up space on your Mac is essential for smooth and efficient performance. Uninstalling applications on a Mac is a straightforward process, but it may differ from what you are used to compared to other operating systems. In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know about how to uninstall applications on a Mac.

Method 1: Traditional Uninstalling

The traditional method of uninstalling is straightforward and does not require any additional software. Follow these steps:

1. On your Mac, navigate to the Applications folder.
2. Find the application that you wish to uninstall and drag it to the Trash bin. Alternatively, right-click on the application icon and select “Move to Trash.”
3. Once the application is in the Trash folder, you can either leave it there or permanently delete it. To permanently delete the application, right-click on the Trash folder icon and select “Empty Trash.”

And that’s it! This method is sufficient for most applications but may leave behind some related files on your Mac. If you want to perform a more thorough uninstall, follow the next method.

Method 2: Uninstalling with Third-Party Software

Uninstalling with third-party software is a more comprehensive method than the traditional method. Third-party software can scan your Mac for any left-behind files and remove them. Here are some recommended applications:

1. AppCleaner: AppCleaner is a free application that can scan your Mac for any leftover files after uninstalling an application. Download and install it, then drag the application icon to AppCleaner, and it will find and delete any related files.

2. CleanMyMac: CleanMyMac is a paid application that has various features, including an uninstaller. The uninstaller scans your Mac and shows you a list of all installed applications, including those installed from the App Store. You can choose which application to uninstall, and CleanMyMac will remove all related files.

Uninstalling with third-party software is ideal for removing all related files, especially if you are installing an application that had a large set of related files.

Using the Terminal

The Terminal is a text-based interface where you can execute commands. It is a more advanced method and career-oriented, so use it only if you are familiar with the terminal. Here’s how to do it:

1. On your Mac, open the Terminal application.
2. Type “sudo rm -rf/Applications/ApplicationName.app” and press enter. This command will delete the application and all related files. Replace “ApplicationName” with the name of the app you want to remove.
3. Enter your password when prompted.

Wrapping up

Uninstalling applications on a Mac is a essential task, and with the above methods you can do it easily. The traditional method is sufficient for most, but if you want to remove all related files, third-party software or the terminal is the best option. Now you have everything you need to know, so go clean up your Mac and free up some space!