This article provides simple methods to uninstall apps on Mac. It covers how to remove programs that won’t delete and manage applications stored on external hard drives or SSDs for a cleaner system.
Many Mac users think that dragging an app to the Trash finishes the job, but anyone familiar with macOS knows this is only the beginning. Finder and Launchpad remove the visible application, yet hidden files such as caches, preferences, and support folders often remain in the Library and quietly accumulate over time.
The challenge becomes even greater with external drives. macOS treats Windows-formatted NTFS volumes as read-only to protect the drive’s Master File Table, leaving the “Move to Trash” option greyed out even when the drive appears healthy. On Mac-formatted volumes, mismatched permissions or ownership conflicts can prevent deletion just as effectively. Removing apps completely, whether on a Mac or an external drive, requires understanding how macOS manages file systems and permissions to ensure your devices stay organized, efficient, and free from unnecessary clutter. In this article, you will learn how to delete apps on Mac and external hard drives effecitvely.
When you want to cleanly uninstall apps on a Mac, there are several methods to do it natively. The first and simplest approach is to use the Trash feature, which handles most standard applications.
Step 1. Open Finder from your Dock and locate the Applications folder in the sidebar.
Step 2. Browse through your apps and find the one you want to remove.
Step 3. Right-click the app and choose Move to Trash, or drag it directly to the Trash icon in your Dock.
Step 4. Empty the Trash to permanently delete the app from your Mac.
While this method removes the main app, it often leaves behind supporting files in your Library, such as caches, preferences, and application support folders. To completely uninstall an app and keep your system clean, you may need to manually delete these leftover files.
For a deeper, complete uninstall of an application, you can use the Terminal on your Mac. This method allows you to delete apps that won't delete on Mac and remove both the app bundle and any leftover files that Finder might miss.
Step 1. Open Terminal from the Utilities folder inside Applications.
Step 2. In the Terminal window, type cd /Applications and press Return to navigate to your main Applications directory.
Step 3. Type ls and press Return to list all applications currently installed.
Step 4. Identify the app you want to delete and type sudo rm -rf [AppName].app, replacing [AppName] with the exact name of the application folder. Press Return.
Step 5. Enter your administrator password if prompted and confirm the deletion.
Step 6. Once the app bundle is removed, check for leftover support files in ~/Library/Application Support/, ~/Library/Caches/, and ~/Library/Preferences/ and delete them manually if needed.
Using Terminal ensures a thorough uninstall, removing files that Finder alone cannot reach and keeping your Mac cleaner and more organized.
Deleting apps from an external hard drive on a Mac can save storage, but the process requires careful handling. According to daily experience, the first step is always to quit the app completely, as macOS will block any changes to running applications. Then, locate the app in the external drive’s Applications folder. If the developer provides an uninstaller, using it is the safest way to remove all associated files and system caches. For apps without an uninstaller, dragging the app to the Trash and emptying it will usually suffice, as long as the drive is formatted in a Mac-compatible system like APFS or HFS+.
Issues like can't remove apps and files often arise when the drive uses NTFS, a format native to Windows. macOS only allows read-only access to NTFS by default, so deletion is not possible. In such cases, an NTFS driver is essential. Professional tools like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac grant full read and write access, letting you delete, move, or rename apps just as on a Mac drive. This approach works with HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards, supporting NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT. On both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 12 or later, it ensures smooth, reliable file management across platforms.
Step 1. Run PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac and connect your external hard drive. Connected removable and external hard drives will show up and be mounted automatically.
Step 2. Select the drive you want to operate and click "Open".
Step 3. You can try to uninstall apps on external hard drive from Mac now. Files on the external hard drive can also be copied, moved, or renamed.
Step 4. When you’re done, click "Eject" to safely unplug the external hard drive from your Mac.
Efficiently managing an application library on macOS requires a balance between understanding native system behavior and addressing the technical limitations of external hardware. While the simplicity of the Trash can handle basic deletions, true system maintenance requires a more comprehensive approach, whether that means using Terminal to scrub hidden library files or deploying an NTFS driver to bridge the gap between Windows and Mac formats.
By choosing the right method for the specific file system in use, you ensure that your Mac remains clutter-free and that your external storage remains fully accessible. Utilizing professional tools like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac ultimately transforms a restrictive read-only environment into a flexible workspace, allowing for seamless file management across all your devices without the risk of data loss or the frustration of locked drive permissions. Maintaining this level of control over your digital environment is the key to a fast, reliable, and well-organized Mac experience.
🗨️ How do I fully delete an app from my Mac?
To completely remove an app, first quit it to avoid errors. If the app has a built-in uninstaller, use it, as it removes associated files and caches. If not, drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash and empty it. To ensure no leftover files remain, check your Library folders, including ~/Library/Application Support/, ~/Library/Caches/, and ~/Library/Preferences/, and delete any related files manually. For stubborn apps, using Terminal with the sudo rm -rf command can help remove all files safely.
🗨️ Is uninstalling an app the same as deleting an app?
Not always. Deleting an app typically removes only the visible application file, while uninstalling removes the app along with its associated files, caches, and system preferences, leaving your Mac cleaner.
🗨️ How do you select and delete on a Mac?
Open Finder, navigate to the file or app, click to select it, then either drag it to the Trash or right-click and choose “Move to Trash.” Finally, empty the Trash to permanently delete the item.
🗨️ How do I delete applications from my Mac hard drive?
Locate the application in the Applications folder, quit the app, and drag it to the Trash. For apps with uninstallers, run them for a complete removal. Optionally, check the Library folders to delete leftover support files.
🗨️ Can I use any external hard drive for my Mac?
Yes, but compatibility depends on the drive’s file system. Drives formatted as APFS or HFS+ work seamlessly with macOS. Windows-formatted NTFS drives can be read but not written to by default, so you’ll need an NTFS driver like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac to delete or modify files. FAT32 and exFAT drives are fully compatible with both Mac and Windows.