So your Mac's getting sluggish, huh? I've been there. That moment when you realize half the apps in your Applications folder haven't been opened since last Christmas. But dragging stuff to Trash doesn't always cut it – trust me, I learned that the hard way when my MacBook started acting weird after deleting Adobe Creative Cloud. That's when I dug deep into how to uninstall stuff on Mac properly.
Why Dragging Apps to Trash Usually Isn't Enough
Here's the dirty secret: when you drag Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Office to Trash, less than half the actual files get removed. The rest? Hidden folders with license files, caches big enough to make your eyes water, and random support files scattered across your system. I once found 1.2GB of leftover Adobe files using a dedicated cleaner tool after what I thought was a clean uninstall.
Reality check: That "free" PDF converter you installed last month? It probably left launch agents and background processes even after you trashed it. Sneaky little buggers.
Manual Ways to Uninstall Stuff on Your Mac
For simple apps like calculator utilities or document viewers, manual removal works fine. But anything complex? You've got to hunt down the extras.
Method 1: The Basic Drag-to-Trash Approach
Open Finder → Applications folder → Drag app to Trash → Empty Trash
Works for: Basic apps without background processes (like Chess or simple utilities)
Method 2: Digging Up Leftovers Manually
After trashing the main app, check these spots:
- ~/Library/Application Support (user-specific support files)
- ~/Library/Caches (temporary files that can pile up)
- ~/Library/Preferences (plist preference files)
- /Library/LaunchAgents (background processes - admin required)
I spent two hours cleaning Adobe leftovers here once. Never again.
Method 3: Using Built-in Uninstallers
Some big apps include their own uninstall tools:
- Microsoft Office: Finder → Applications → Microsoft Office → Office Uninstaller
- Adobe Creative Cloud: Adobe Creative Cloud app → Apps tab → ⋮ menu → Uninstall
These work okay but sometimes miss files. I'd still check Library folders afterward.
Top Tools to Uninstall Stuff on Mac Thoroughly
When I got serious about cleaning my Mac, I tested 8 uninstaller apps. Here are the real standouts:
| Tool | Price | Best For | Why I Like It | Annoyances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AppCleaner | Free | Casual users | Dead simple - drag apps onto it and poof, finds most leftovers automatically | Misses some login items and system extensions |
| CleanMyMac X | $35/year | All-in-one maintenance | Uninstaller module + malware removal + system cleanup all in one | Subscription model feels pricey for infrequent use |
| DaisyDisk | $9.99 (one-time) | Seeing disk usage visually | Shows large leftover files as colorful blocks - satisfying deletion | Not automated - you manually select files to delete |
| OmniDiskSweeper | Free | Tech-savvy users | Shows exact file paths - great for hunting stubborn files | No app tracking - you need to know what to search for |
After testing all four, here's my take: Grab AppCleaner if you want free and simple. Pay for CleanMyMac if you want an all-in-one toolkit. I keep both on my work Mac.
CleanMyMac X Walkthrough
Since it's the most thorough option:
- Launch CleanMyMac → Uninstaller module
- Check "Leftovers" tab → finds orphaned files from previous deletions
- Select apps → Click Remove → Confirm
- Check "Extensions" tab → removes kernel extensions and plugins
The first scan found 11GB of leftovers on my machine. Eleven! Mostly from video editors and old VPN clients.
Nuclear Option: Terminal Commands
For stubborn system-level stuff, you might need Terminal. Warning: Mess this up and you could break things. Triple-check commands before hitting Enter.
Always create a Time Machine backup before using Terminal for uninstallation!
Common commands:
sudo rm -rf /Applications/AppName.app(force delete app)rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.developer.appname.plist(delete preference file)launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.developer.agentname.plist(stop background process)
I used this to remove an old printer driver that wouldn't die. Worked, but felt like defusing a bomb.
Troubleshooting Nightmare Uninstalls
Some apps fight back when you try to uninstall stuff on Mac:
Anti-Virus Software
Norton and McAfee install kernel extensions that block their own removal. Seriously?
Solution: Download their official removal tools first:
- Norton: https://support.norton.com/removaltools
- McAfee: https://service.mcafee.com/webcenter/portal/cp/home/articleview
Adobe Creative Cloud
Even Adobe's cleaner tool leaves traces. After running it:
- Delete ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe
- Remove ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe
- Search for "adobe" in ~/Library/Caches → delete all matches
System Extensions (Kernel Extensions)
VPNs and hardware drivers love these. Remove via:
System Settings → Privacy & Security → Extensions → uncheck or remove
If grayed out: Reboot in Recovery Mode (Cmd+R at startup) → Terminal → kmutil trigger-panic-medic
Had to do this for a Bitcoin mining app that installed itself as an extension. Yikes.
FAQs: Answering Your "How to Uninstall Stuff on Mac" Questions
Why won't my Mac let me uninstall some apps?
Three main reasons: 1) The app is running (check Dock and Activity Monitor), 2) It's a system-protected app like Safari, 3) You lack admin privileges. Try relaunching Finder or rebooting first.
How do I completely uninstall programs on Mac without leftover files?
Use AppCleaner or CleanMyMac X - they scan for associated files automatically. Manual method: After trashing the app, search its name in ~/Library and /Library folders.
Is it safe to delete leftover preference files?
Generally yes, but back up first. I once deleted Final Cut Pro preferences and lost custom presets. Now I compress the folder to ZIP before deletion.
What's the difference between ~/Library and /Library folders?
~/Library is user-specific (only affects your account), while /Library affects all users (requires admin password). When uninstalling stuff on Mac, check both.
Why does macOS make uninstalling so complicated?
Honestly? Poor design. Unlike Windows' centralized uninstaller, Apple assumes dragging apps to Trash suffices. It doesn't. Even Apple's own Pro apps leave gigantic support files behind.
Real-Life War Story: The Spotify That Wouldn't Die
Last year, Spotify kept reappearing after deletion. Turns out:
- It installed a login item in System Settings → Login Items
- Left a web helper in ~/Library/Caches/com.spotify.client
- Had an updater in ~/Library/Application Support/Spotify
Fixed it by:
- Removing login item
- Running AppCleaner on Spotify
- Manually deleting /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.spotify.webhelper.plist
Moral: Sometimes you need both tools and manual cleanup to uninstall stuff on Mac completely.
Final Recommendations Based on Your Needs
After all this testing, here's my practical advice:
- For occasional cleaning: AppCleaner (free) gets 90% of leftovers
- For heavy app rotators: CleanMyMac X worth the subscription
- Before selling your Mac: Factory reset via Recovery Mode (Cmd+R)
- For enterprise software: Always check vendor's uninstall docs first
Remember: Regular maintenance beats massive cleanups. I run AppCleaner monthly and save the nuclear options for when things get messy. Your Mac will thank you.