A program like an email client, for example, might store gigabytes of email data outside of the app bundle. While this will delete everything within the app bundle, it won’t delete any preference files for the applciation, nor can it affect any files created by the application for its own use but stored outside of the app bundle. If an app is simple and self-contained, you can delete its most essential components by simply dragging the application’s icon to the trash. Although, this happens with some Mac apps as well, as you’ll see if you try to manually uninstall more complex applications. Compare this to Windows, where an installer can spew files across the system in dozens of arbitrary locations. On macOS, applications generally like to stay inside their.

Dragging the icon to the trash likely removed the majority of the files, but you can dig further to try and delete even more.

If you can’t find anything like that, then the uninstall process is likely trival. If you’re unsure what kind of uninstall procedure your application requires, you can search the name of the application followed by “uninstall.” This will typically provide a page by the developer describing the uninstall procedure. Applications with web service components, like Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office 365, should be removed according to the instructions on the developer’s website.

If possible, you should always default to using the applications uninstaller, if it has one. In some cases it can leave behind gigabytes of data. However, that typically leaves behind at least a few preference files. Depending on the application and the installation method, you may be able to completely uninstall apps from macOS by simply dragging the.

Uninstall mac app cleaner