How to uninstall apps on macOS

We’ve all been there: you downloaded Evernote, Gimp, or Microsoft Office because you thought it might be fun, even useful, but you couldn’t use it, something better came out, or you just got bored and it’s time to go. Never fear – removing an app from macOS is a simple process that only takes a few seconds.

The process is slightly different for apps you download from the internet and apps you get from the App Store. Here’s how to clear both.

Uninstall apps from App Store

You need to use Launchpad to uninstall apps you got from the App Store.

• Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock (it’s a spaceship)

• Click and hold any app until all the icons start to flicker
• Find the program you want to delete and tap the Delete button (it looks like an X)

If the app you want to delete does not have a delete button, that app cannot be uninstalled with LaunchPad. In this case, follow the steps below.

Uninstall apps from internet

If you’ve downloaded an application from the internet (or if you’re old-fashioned and used disk), you’ll need to use the Finder to get rid of it.

• Click the Finder icon in your Dock (it’s the blue square with a smiley)
• Click “Applications” on the left side of the window

• Select the app you want to uninstall

• Drag the app to the trash in your dock. (If the app is in a folder, open the folder first to see if it has the Uninstall tool.) You can also right-click the icon and select “Move to Trash”.