Uninstall Program on MacOS Sierra: Step-by-Step

This guide walks you through completely removing an application from macOS Sierra (10.12). It covers the standard drag-to-Trash method, plus how to delete leftover preference files, caches, and other related data that can linger after a basic uninstall. You’ll need your administrator password if the app was installed for all users, and you should close the app before starting.

What You’ll Need

Your Mac running macOS Sierra (10.12)
Administrator account access (for most apps, a standard user can also uninstall apps they installed themselves)
Approximately 5–10 minutes of time

Step-by-Step

Quit the application completely. If the app is running, press Cmd+Q or choose Quit from the app’s menu bar. Also check the Dock for a dot under the app icon indicating it’s still open, and right-click the icon to choose Quit if needed.
Check if the app has its own uninstaller. Some apps (especially those installed from a disk image or downloaded directly) include an uninstaller. Look in the app’s folder (usually in Applications) for files like Uninstall, Uninstaller, or Remove. If you find one, double-click it and follow the on-screen instructions. If not, continue with the manual method.
Drag the app to the Trash. Open Finder, go to the Applications folder (or wherever the app is installed), and drag the app’s icon to the Trash in your Dock. Alternatively, right-click the app and choose Move to Trash.
Enter your administrator password if prompted. macOS may ask for your password to confirm the move, especially if the app was installed for all users. Type it and click OK.
Empty the Trash. Right-click the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash. This permanently deletes the app. (You can skip this step if you want to recover the app later, but for a full uninstall, empty it.)
Delete leftover files in your user Library. Open Finder, then press Cmd+Shift+G (Go to Folder) and type ~/Library (the tilde is important—it means your home folder). Click Go. Look in these subfolders for anything related to the app:
- Application Support – look for a folder with the app’s name or publisher.
- Caches – look for a folder with the app’s name or bundle identifier.
- Preferences – look for files ending in .plist that start with the app’s name or bundle identifier (e.g., com.example.app.plist).
- Logs – look for a folder with the app’s name.
- Saved Application State – look for a folder with the app’s bundle identifier.
Drag these items to the Trash. If you’re unsure whether a file belongs to the app, search the web for its name, or leave it—it’s harmless.
Check the system Library (if needed). Some apps (especially older ones or those installed with admin privileges) put files in the system-wide Library at /Library. To access it, press Cmd+Shift+G and type /Library. Look in the same subfolders (Application Support, Caches, Preferences, LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons) for the app’s name. Be careful—only delete items you are certain belong to the app. If in doubt, leave them.
Empty the Trash again. After moving all leftover files to the Trash, empty it to free up disk space.
Restart your Mac (optional). This clears any cached processes and ensures the app is fully gone. It’s not always required, but it’s a good practice.

Common Mistakes

Not quitting the app first. If the app is running, macOS may prevent you from moving it to the Trash, or it may leave behind processes that recreate files.
Skipping the Library cleanup. Many apps leave behind preference files and caches that can take up space and cause conflicts if you reinstall the app later.
Deleting the wrong files in the system Library. The /Library folder contains files for many apps and system processes. Deleting something unrelated can break other software. Always double-check the name.
Using third-party uninstallers unnecessarily. Most apps don’t need them, and some uninstaller tools can be aggressive and remove shared files that other apps need.

Tips

Use Spotlight to find all related files. Press Cmd+Space, type the app’s name, and see if any files appear in the search results. This can help you locate files in unexpected places.
Check for login items. If the app launches at startup, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > select your user > Login Items, and remove any entry related to the app.
Back up before deleting. If you’re unsure about a file, drag it to a folder on your Desktop instead of the Trash. After a week, if everything works fine, delete that folder.
Use the App Store for App Store apps. If you downloaded the app from the Mac App Store, you can simply drag it to the Trash—the system handles all associated files automatically.

Troubleshooting

“The item can’t be moved to the Trash because it’s in use.” This means the app is still running. Press Cmd+Option+Esc to open the Force Quit window, select the app, and click Force Quit. Then try moving it again.

You can’t find the app in the Applications folder. It might be installed elsewhere. Use Spotlight to find it, or check the ~/Applications folder (your user’s Applications folder).

After uninstalling, the app still appears in Launchpad or Spotlight. This is usually just a cached icon. Try restarting your Mac, or open Launchpad and hold down the Option key—you may see an X appear on the icon, allowing you to delete it. If not, the app may still have a helper process running; check Activity Monitor for any processes with the app’s name and quit them, then search again.

The app came with an installer and you can’t find an uninstaller. Some apps (like Adobe or Microsoft Office) have uninstallers in the same folder as the installer. If you don’t have the installer anymore, you can still drag the app to the Trash, but you may need to manually delete its preferences and support files as described above.

You accidentally deleted a file that broke another app. If another app starts misbehaving after you deleted files, you may have removed a shared library. You can try reinstalling the affected app to restore the missing file. If you have Time Machine, you can restore the file from a backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a third-party uninstaller to remove apps on macOS Sierra?

No. The manual method described here is sufficient for almost all apps. Third-party uninstallers can be convenient, but they aren’t necessary and sometimes remove too much.

Why does the app leave files behind even after I drag it to the Trash?

macOS doesn’t automatically remove an app’s preference files, caches, and support data because they might be shared with other apps or needed if you reinstall. That’s why manual cleanup is recommended.

Is it safe to delete the .plist files in Preferences?

Yes, as long as they belong to the app you’re uninstalling. Deleting a .plist file only resets the app’s settings; it won’t harm your system. If you delete the wrong one, the app will just recreate it with default settings.

What if I don’t empty the Trash? Is the app still uninstalled?

No. The app still occupies disk space and can be restored. For a true uninstall, you must empty the Trash.

Can I uninstall an app that came with macOS (like Safari or Mail)?

You can remove some built-in apps (like Chess or Stickies) by dragging them to the Trash, but core system apps like Safari and Mail cannot be removed without disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP), which is not recommended. You can hide them from the Dock and Launchpad instead.

Will uninstalling an app delete my user data created with that app?

Usually no. Your documents, projects, and other user-created files are stored in your Documents, Desktop, or other folders, not in the app’s support files. However, some apps store data in ~/Library/Application Support, so if you want to keep that data, back it up before deleting that folder.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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