How to uninstall apps on a Mac completely, leftovers included

On a Mac, most apps are a single bundle you can drag to the Trash. That removes the app, but not everything it created along the way.

The basic method

Quit the app, open Applications in Finder and drag it to the Trash. Empty the Trash to reclaim the space. Apps from the Mac App Store can also be removed this way. Apps installed with their own uninstaller (many Adobe, Microsoft and audio tools) should be removed with that uninstaller first.

Where the leftovers live

Open Finder, choose Go → Go to Folder and look in these locations for folders named after the app or its developer:

• ~/Library/Application Support
• ~/Library/Caches
• ~/Library/Preferences (files ending in .plist)
• ~/Library/Containers and ~/Library/Group Containers
• ~/Library/Saved Application State
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents (helpers that start at login)

Most leftovers are small. The exceptions are apps that store libraries, caches or downloaded content, such as video editors, music software and games, where the leftover folder can be many gigabytes.

Be careful to delete only folders you can clearly tie to the removed app. Preferences are tiny, so skipping them costs you nothing, while deleting the wrong one can reset another app.

Finding apps you no longer use

The hard part is usually knowing what to remove. In System Settings → General → Storage → Applications, sort by size and by Last Accessed. Anything untouched for six months is a good candidate.

How Gardner helps

Gardner’s Apps tool lists apps you haven’t opened in months, with Apple Intelligence’s read of what each one is. Nothing is ticked: you choose. Apple’s own apps and anything currently running never appear, and removed apps go to the Trash so you can put them back. For a comparison with dedicated uninstallers, see CleanMyMac alternatives.