Another way of uninstalling an app from your Mac is to drag its icon from the Applications folder to the Trash icon, and then empty the Trash as explained earlier. ■ Remove the icon Right-click the.
- Click the grey Launchpad icon in your dock to launch the interface. 2 Select the app you wish to delete.
- If you need the storage space or prefer the cleanliness of only retaining apps that work, delete your 32-bit apps. But don’t feel compelled to. This Mac 911 article is in response to a question.
We live in the golden age of apps. We are being spammed by the apps forcing us to update, install the latest extension, read some marketing fluff that’s pouring on us from every pop up window. Your best defence is to teach yourself about deleting software properly. And simply dragging apps to the Trash is no way a secure deletion.
Why? Because it leaves behind app parts and pieces. And leaving software only half uninstalled will fill up gigabytes of space on your Mac’s hard drive with useless clutter. And sure you could find a better use for that space. That’s why, until Apple decides to make the right choice and develop a better way to completely uninstall apps on Mac, we’ve prepared some efficient tips and tricks to help you uninstall apps manually and keep the performance of your Mac at its peak, day in and day out.
A complete guide to uninstall software on Mac
In this guide, we’re going to show you how to completely remove apps from your Mac in order to free up space and have your Mac running at full power.
We’ve prepared two ways for deleting apps on Mac. We'll start off by explaining manual ways of deleting apps on Mac.
Did you know: Some apps are hard to delete manually as they consist of many unseen parts. In this case, you'll need a special 'app destroyer.' The most popular one is CleanMyMac X by MacPaw. Whichever method you choose, it will help you to correctly remove apps on Mac. You will then have a clean Mac and a lot more free space to store your digital possessions.
![Remove A Running App From My Mac Remove A Running App From My Mac](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/CleanMyMac-650x352.png)
What’s more, we’ve also added 2 bonus tips for uninstalling Java and deleting apps via the Terminal:
- Bonus 1: Uninstall Java on Mac
- Bonus 2: Uninstall apps using Terminal
Sounds good? Now, let’s take out the trash!
Remove App From Mac Taskbar
How to Remove Programs on Mac manually
It’s time for the big reveal. We’re going to show you where to find all the associated app files that remain trapped on your Mac even after you’ve sent an app to the Trash.
But before we proceed, take caution. If you’ve chosen the manual method to remove programs on Mac we admire your determination, but we must also warn you to keep a careful eye on what you’re deleting. You don’t want to end up removing essential files. So, carefully check all the filenames before you begin to uninstall software on Mac and make sure they belong to the app you want to remove.
Sending apps to the Trash
Open your Applications (from the sidebar in Finder).
Select an app and drag it onto the Trash bin. That's it.
What if it doesn't work?
Sometimes, for the mysterious reasons, your Mac would refuse to delete some files. If this happens, reboot your system and try again, after you’ve pressed Command-Option-Esc and made sure the app is not listed as running. If it is, force quit and try again.
The hard truth about leftovers
There’s also the risk of having some app files slip through the cracks of the manual method, if you’re not thorough enough. To illustrate, we've deleted the XCode software by dragging it to the Trash. It ended up leaving 1.9 GB worth of remaining files. It may depend on an app, though.
We'll explain how to eliminate them in a second. But, again, if you'd like to automatically delete these minor app parts, skip to the automatic solution with CleanMyMac X.
Dealing with the remaining parts
Now, let’s gather all strength and begin our manual hunt for app leftovers! To make sure you don’t miss anything and you remove software from your Mac correctly, follow these steps:
- Step 1 – write down the name of the apps that you have sent to the Trash and go to the next step to start finding apps leftovers and associated files.
- Step 2 – go to the following locations and if you find a folder associated with any app name you have written down, delete it to completely uninstall the programs.
Open the Finder
Click on Finder > Go> Go to Folder..
So, to fully remove an app and its leftovers from your Mac you need to check these locations in the Finder.
That was obviously a cumbersome way to delete things. In the next chapter we'll show the much easier method.
Don’t forget to empty the Trash
Once your apps are moved to the Trash bin you need to empty it. Open the Trash bin and click the Empty button to erase its contents.
How to delete Mac apps automatically
There is a whole category of app uninstallers for Mac that takes advantage of macOS' inability to remove apps completely. Among the trusted tools, you may check CleanMyMac X by MacPaw. It's notarized by Apple and is the most user-friendly compared to analogous apps.
You may download the free edition of CleanMyMac X here. This app will detect the unseen apps and you can delete many apps at once by simply checking them in the list. The free version that allows you to clean a big portion of junk. This means you can delete a couple of un-deletable apps at no cost.
You may download the free edition of CleanMyMac X here. This app will detect the unseen apps and you can delete many apps at once by simply checking them in the list. The free version that allows you to clean a big portion of junk. This means you can delete a couple of un-deletable apps at no cost.
If you like it, you’ll be able to upgrade to the paid version and give your Mac a full clean out. You’ll also be able to uninstall apps on Mac correctly at any given time, without limits.
To remove apps from Mac the easy way with CleanMyMac X follow these steps: Show running apps mac.
- Launch CleanMyMac and go to the Uninstaller tab
- Click View All Applications
- Select any app you want to remove completely
- Click Uninstall to remove 100% of the app from your Mac
As you can see from the screenshot, there is an option to filter out the AppStore apps, the Unused apps, 32-bit ones and more.
Download Free VersionUninstall applications using Launchpad
You can use Launchpad to get rid of your apps and widgets.
- Open Launchpad in the Dock
- Hold down the Command key and click on any app
- Wait until the apps start shaking
Now you can click the hovering [X] icon to delete the app.
How to completely uninstall Java from your Mac
Java plugin is known to have conflict issues with many apps. Re-installing it helps to get some Mac’s services back to working. But completely removing Java might seem a bit harder than uninstalling normal apps. However, it’s not rocket science. With a few clicks and double-clicks, you’ll be ready to enjoy more space and more speed from your Mac, free from the clutter. Space you can, of course, use to install another Java version if you please.
So here’s how to completely delete Java. Remove one directory and one file (a symlink), as follows:
- Click on the Finder icon located in your dock
- Click on the Utilities folder
- Double-click on the Terminal icon
- In the Terminal window Copy and Paste the commands below:
- sudo rm -fr /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin
- sudo rm -fr /Library/PreferencePanes/JavaControlPanel.prefPane
- sudo rm -fr ~/Library/Application Support/Java
How to uninstall apps on Mac using Terminal
We've shown you how to remove Java plugin using Terminal. But as one might guess, it works for any other app. This procedure requires 2 commands: 1) Finding the app's location (using the mdfind command) 2) Removing that folder using sudo rm -rf. The latter command may cause damage, so don't use it if you're not sure what you doing).
Okay. Open your Terminal app (you can type its name into the Launchpad)
1. First, we'll find the app's location
Now, paste this command into the Terminal window:
mdfind -name <The name of your app>
For example, the app I'm trying to delete is named 'NVU'
Press enter and the Terminal will show you where the app is located on your Mac.
2. Delete that particular path
To remove the app, paste this command into the Terminal window:
sudo rm -rf <The location you've just found>
In my case it looks like this:
Note: sudo rm -rf may break your system if used incorrectly. You may delete your entire user account. If not sure, try other methods described in this article.
Now, enter your password to confirm.
Did it work? Congratulations — you may officially call yourself a geek now.
How to reset apps without deleting them
Yes, you can do that too. Resetting an app is easily the greatest do-it-yourself trick any Mac user can try. What it does is brings the application to its default state, and most importantly, leaves your user data intact. For example, your apps are out of sync with one another so what the reset does is helps restore the initial app settings. It deletes the app cache that causes lots of software glitches. The App Reset feature is found in the Uninstaller tab in CleanMyMac X.
By the way, you can even reset your Mac's default apps, like Safari if they are broken. Here's me resetting my Safari browser:
To use these feature, which is really a hidden gem, open the Uninstaller tab in CleanMyMac X (download its free edition here)
- Find and click on the Uninstaller tab.
- Choose any app in the list
- Click on the dropdown menu under the Uninstall button. This reveals the Reset option.
Now you know everything needed to delete apps on Mac the correct way, achieve complete uninstallation and remove annoying quirks and strange apps behaviors. Whether you choose the manual method or opt for the clean up app CleanMyMac X, you can be sure your Mac will be free of unnecessary app files that eat up disk space in vain. Staying safe and clean feels great, right?
Are you facing issues with the Mail app opening randomly on your Mac? You are not alone. It could pop up while you are in the midst of work to display a new email. Or it could bug you for no obvious reason at all. Annoying. So, can you do anything to stop that from happening?
Connectivity issues with certain email accounts (such as Gmail) can trigger the Mac's Mail app to open randomly. So far, Apple has not released a permanent fix to this issue. But thankfully, there are a few fixes that you can apply to patch things up. Without any further ado, let's get started.
Minimize Instead of Close
If the Mail app opens without warning while running in the background, try minimizing the app instead of closing it—click the orange-colored icon to the top-left of the window to do that. You can also use the Command+H keyboard shortcut to minimize the Mail app quickly.
That isn't a permanent fix by any means and could take some getting used to. But it's a surprisingly quick way to put a pause to the Mail app's odd behavior.
Also on Guiding Tech
Airmail vs. Spark: The Battle for Best Mail Client on Mac
Read MoreUse Gmail App Password
Are you using Gmail on the Mac? At times, the Mail app may fail to connect to your Google Account, especially if it's secured with two-factor authentication. That could result in the app opening automatically whenever it re-establishes the connection.
Thankfully, you can fix this issue with an App Password.
Step 1: Use a web browser to sign in to your Google Account. Click the Security side-tab, and click App Passwords (located within the 'Signing in to Google' section).
Step 2: Generate an App Password for the Mac's Mail app. Copy it to your clipboard.
Step 3: Open the Mail app. Next, click Mail on the menu bar, and then click Preferences. Switch to the Accounts tab, and then remove your Gmail account.
Step 4: Re-add the Gmail account.
Step 5: When prompted for your password, add the App Password instead of your Google Account password.
That should likely stop the Mail app from facing connectivity issues with Gmail going forward.
Note: If you want to revoke the App Password for the Mail app, re-visit your Google Account and click Security > App Passwords.Use a Separate Space
Give the Mail app a separate desktop space. Open Mission Control, create a new space (click the Add icon to the top right), and then drag the Mail app into it. That should prevent the Mail app from opening randomly and interrupting you. https://ultraclever978.weebly.com/can-you-run-iphone-apps-on-a-mac.html.
Click the Mail app on the dock whenever you want to check your email. Alternatively, you can visit the desktop space manually via Mission Control.
Check for New Messages Manually
Are you still having issues with the Mail app opening randomly on your Mac? Try checking for new messages manually. To do that, go to the Mail app's Preferences screen (Mail > Preferences), and then set 'Check for New Messages' to Manually.
Click the Get Mail icon—located to the top-left corner of the Mail app window—whenever you want to fetch new messages manually.
Note: This isn't a viable fix for most and isn't recommended if you receive urgent emails frequently.Also on Guiding Tech
#macos
Click here to see our macos articles pageDisable Messages in Split-View
Is the Mail app opening new emails automatically in Split-View while using another app in full-screen mode?
To stop that from happening, open the Mail app's Preferences screen (Mail > Preferences), and then disable the 'Prefer opening messages in split view when in full screen.'
Delete non-Essential Email Accounts
Try removing non-essential email accounts from the Mail app. That should further reduce odd connectivity issues from causing the Mail app to pop up on your screen randomly. To do that, go to Mail > Preferences.
Disable Open at Login
Is the Mail app only opening automatically while booting up your Mac? That isn't an issue, but rather happens when the app is configured to open at startup.
To stop the Mail app from doing that again, simply right-click the Mail icon on the dock, point to Options, and then uncheck Open at Login.
Alternatively, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items, and then remove Mail from the list of startup items.
Also on Guiding Tech
Apple Mail vs Outlook for Mac: Which macOS Email App Is Better
Removing An App On Mac
Read MoreBottom Line
Most fixes that stop the Mail app from opening randomly aren't very practical, but they should help you until Apple resolves this issue for good. Hence, make it a point to install the latest updates for your Mac whenever they become available—to do that, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update.
So, know of any other fixes that can stop the Mail app from popping up on the screen all the time? Drop in a comment and let us know.
Next up:Getting bombarded with spam on your Mac? Check out what you can do to protect yourself from that.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read Next3 Tips to Protect Your Mac Against Spam in MailAlso See#email #troubleshooting
Did You Know
It’s estimated that spammers only get one reply per 12 million sent emails.