How to delete apps on Mac via Uninstaller

So far, everything seems to be simple. However, some programs, which are often used, cannot be deleted in the above-described way, as a rule, these are solid programs installed from third-party sites with the help of the "Installer". After installing such software to the system, there is also a special Uninstaller there - a utility that correctly removes a specific program from your PC.

However, some of them can be removed by standard methods and require additional actions to finally clean up the Mac of the remaining files. Or simply send the program to the trash. So, you may ask yourself a question “How to uninstall app on Mac correctly?” The right way will be typing in the Google search "How to completely uninstall application Mac OS" where you specify the name of an application. All serious applications that require specific steps to remove them have the official instructions on the sites of their developers, which it is advisable to follow.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Uninstalling applications on a Mac isn't always as simple as dragging them to the Trash, especially for programs installed from third-party websites using an "Installer." These "solid programs" often integrate more deeply with the system, leaving behind residual files even after a basic deletion.

For such applications, the proper approach often involves a dedicated Uninstaller utility, which is typically provided by the software developer and designed to remove the program and its associated files correctly. If a program was installed via a .pkg file or a custom installer, it's highly recommended to check for an uninstaller within the application's folder in your Applications directory or by searching for "Uninstall [App Name]" in Spotlight.

If no dedicated uninstaller is found, or if you've simply dragged the application to the Trash, you might still need to perform additional steps to completely clean up your Mac of leftover files. These files, such as caches, preferences, and application support data, can accumulate over time and take up unnecessary space.

The most effective way to ensure a complete uninstallation is to:

1. Check for an official uninstaller: Look within the application's folder in Applications or search your Mac for "Uninstall [App Name]".
2. Consult developer instructions: For serious applications, the developers usually provide official instructions on their websites for complete removal. It is advisable to follow these specific guidelines. A quick Google search for "How to completely uninstall [Application Name] Mac OS" is a good starting point.
3. Manually remove leftover files: Even with an uninstaller, some residual files might remain. These are typically located in your user's Library folder (~/Library/). Common subfolders to check include Application Support, Caches, and Preferences. Caution: Be careful when deleting files from the Library folder; only remove files that are clearly associated with the uninstalled application.
4. Consider third-party uninstallers: Tools like AppCleaner can help automate the process of finding and removing all associated files, providing a more thorough cleanup for users who prefer not to delve into system folders.

Remember that core macOS applications, such as Mail, Safari, or Messages, cannot be uninstalled as they are essential to the operating system's functionality. For other apps, a combination of using an official uninstaller (if available) and manually cleaning up residual files or using a reputable third-party tool will ensure a thorough and correct uninstallation on your Mac.