[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":58},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-en-completely-uninstall-apps-mac":3},{"meta":4,"html":14,"headings":15,"raw":57},{"title":5,"description":6,"topic":7,"date":8,"author":9,"icons":10},"How to Completely Uninstall Apps on Mac Without Leaving Leftovers","Dragging an app to the Trash removes only the app. See where leftovers live, how to check for them yourself, and how WashBear handles caches and settings.","mac-cleanup","2026-10-29","WashBear Team",[11,12,13],"uninstall","app-window","package-minus","\u003Cp>On a Mac, most apps are uninstalled by dragging them to the Trash. But while you use an app, it stores caches, settings, logs and data elsewhere, and some apps install background items that run when you log in. Once the app itself is gone, those files stay behind, anywhere from a few megabytes to several gigabytes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's also worth knowing that, as Apple points out, deleting an app doesn't remove documents you created with it, and it doesn't cancel any subscription you bought through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"where-leftovers-live\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#where-leftovers-live\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Where apps leave files\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Most are in your personal Library folder (\u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u003C\u002Fcode>), usually named after the app or its identifier (something like \u003Ccode>com.example.app\u003C\u002Fcode>):\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u002FApplication Support\u003C\u002Fcode>: app data, plug-ins and databases;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u002FCaches\u003C\u002Fcode>: caches;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u002FPreferences\u003C\u002Fcode>: preference files ending in \u003Ccode>.plist\u003C\u002Fcode>;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u002FContainers\u003C\u002Fcode> and \u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u002FGroup Containers\u003C\u002Fcode>: data for sandboxed apps, which includes every app from the App Store;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u002FSaved Application State\u003C\u002Fcode>: saved window data;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u002FLogs\u003C\u002Fcode>: logs;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u002FHTTPStorages\u003C\u002Fcode> and \u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u002FWebKit\u003C\u002Fcode>: data from web content shown inside the app;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ccode>~\u002FLibrary\u002FLaunchAgents\u003C\u002Fcode>: background items that start when you log in.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Some files apply to all users and need an administrator password to change: \u003Ccode>\u002FLibrary\u002FApplication Support\u003C\u002Fcode>, \u003Ccode>\u002FLibrary\u002FLaunchAgents\u003C\u002Fcode>, \u003Ccode>\u002FLibrary\u002FLaunchDaemons\u003C\u002Fcode> and \u003Ccode>\u002FLibrary\u002FPrivilegedHelperTools\u003C\u002Fcode>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"keep-or-remove\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#keep-or-remove\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>What to remove and what to keep\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Caches, logs and saved window data\u003C\u002Fstrong> can all be recreated, so remove them along with an app you no longer use.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Preferences, app support files and private app data\u003C\u002Fstrong> may hold your settings, templates, game saves or local notes. If you might reinstall later, or there's something in them you want, back them up or keep them.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Folders shared by several apps\u003C\u002Fstrong>: apps from the same developer sometimes share a folder in \u003Ccode>Group Containers\u003C\u002Fcode>. If you're not sure, leave it.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"manual\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#manual\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Uninstall an app by hand\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"quit-and-note-id\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#quit-and-note-id\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>1. Quit the app and note its identifier\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Quit the app first, including any menu bar icon it has. If you're not sure whether it's still running in the background, check Activity Monitor. Then note the app's identifier, which you'll need when looking for leftovers. In Terminal, type \u003Ccode>mdls -name kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier -raw \u003C\u002Fcode> (with a space at the end), drag the app from the Applications folder into the window, then press Return:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cpre>\u003Ccode class=\"language-bash\">mdls -name kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier -raw \u002FApplications\u002FSafari.app\n\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003C\u002Fpre>\n\u003Cp>The output, \u003Ccode>com.apple.Safari\u003C\u002Fcode>, is Safari's identifier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"remove-app\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#remove-app\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>2. Use the app's uninstaller, or move it to the Trash\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Look in the app's folder for an app named something like "Uninstall [App]" or "[App] Uninstaller"; some apps also offer an uninstall option in a menu or in their settings. Apple recommends using an uninstaller when there is one, because it can also remove login items, extensions and other components the app installed elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there's no uninstaller, drag the app from the Applications folder in the Finder to the Trash, or select it and choose File > Move to Trash. If you're asked for a user name and password, enter those of an administrator account on your Mac.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"remove-leftovers\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#remove-leftovers\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>3. Remove leftover files\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Choose Go > Go to Folder and open each location listed above, looking for items named after the app or its identifier. You can also search by keyword in Terminal; replace \u003Ccode>zoom\u003C\u002Fcode> with part of the app's name or identifier:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cpre>\u003Ccode class=\"language-bash\">find ~\u002FLibrary -maxdepth 2 -iname '*zoom*' 2>\u002Fdev\u002Fnull\n\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003C\u002Fpre>\n\u003Cp>Folders with similar names may belong to another app, so check each result before deleting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"login-items\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#login-items\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>4. Check login items, then empty the Trash\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions and check for anything the app left under Open at Login or App Background Activity. Once everything looks right, empty the Trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"washbear\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#washbear\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Uninstall with WashBear\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003C!--demo:uninstall-->\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>App Uninstaller\u003C\u002Fstrong> lists the apps installed on your Mac and the space they use, and deals with their related files when you uninstall them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Col>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Scan and find the app\u003C\u002Fstrong>: click \u003Cstrong>Start Scan\u003C\u002Fstrong>. The scan only reads information and changes nothing. Filter by \u003Cstrong>All\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Ready\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Admin required\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Running\u003C\u002Fstrong> or \u003Cstrong>Unavailable\u003C\u002Fstrong>, or sort by \u003Cstrong>Estimated size\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Last used\u003C\u002Fstrong> or \u003Cstrong>Installed\u003C\u002Fstrong> to find large apps you haven't used in a while.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Review related files\u003C\u002Fstrong>: click an app's row to expand it and see what will be removed, with a risk label on each item. The \u003Cstrong>Application\u003C\u002Fstrong> itself is \u003Cstrong>Required for uninstall\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003Cstrong>Application cache\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Application logs\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Saved window data\u003C\u002Fstrong> and some \u003Cstrong>Website and network data\u003C\u002Fstrong> are marked \u003Cstrong>Can be recreated\u003C\u002Fstrong> and selected by default. \u003Cstrong>App support files\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Preferences\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Private app data\u003C\u002Fstrong> and similar items are marked \u003Cstrong>May contain user data\u003C\u002Fstrong> and aren't selected by default; select them only when you're sure you no longer need them. Use \u003Cstrong>Show in folder\u003C\u002Fstrong> on any item to see where it is.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Uninstall\u003C\u002Fstrong>: select one or more apps and click \u003Cstrong>Uninstall Selected\u003C\u002Fstrong> at the bottom. If a selected app is running, \u003Cstrong>Close apps before uninstalling\u003C\u002Fstrong> appears first, so save your work. For apps marked \u003Cstrong>Admin required\u003C\u002Fstrong>, macOS shows an authorization prompt. Check the number of apps and the estimated space in the confirmation, then click \u003Cstrong>Confirm Uninstall\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp>WashBear checks the matching locations in your personal Library by the app's identifier and lists only files that clearly belong to that app. Folders named after the developer, \u003Ccode>Group Containers\u003C\u002Fcode>, and components in \u003Ccode>\u002FLibrary\u003C\u002Fcode> aren't listed automatically; check those by hand as described above if you need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"callout callout-warning\">\u003Cp class=\"callout-title\">Warning\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The app and the related files you select are deleted permanently. They don't go to the Trash and can't be recovered. Uninstall results are recorded in \u003Cstrong>Operation History\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Back up any settings, templates or local files you want to keep before uninstalling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003Ch2 id=\"already-deleted\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#already-deleted\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>What about apps you've already deleted?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>If you deleted an app long ago and its leftovers are still around, here's where to look:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>App leftovers\u003C\u002Fstrong> in \u003Cstrong>Deep Cleanup\u003C\u002Fstrong>: lists data left behind by removed apps that can be clearly linked to them, checked as part of a standard scan. Expand an item to see its locations before selecting it.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Leftovers\u003C\u002Fstrong> in \u003Cstrong>Startup Items\u003C\u002Fstrong>: startup configurations that remain after an app was deleted show up here, and you can remove them with \u003Cstrong>Delete Startup Item\u003C\u002Fstrong> or \u003Cstrong>Delete leftover record\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Some login records can only be removed in the Login Items settings of macOS; expand the item to see how.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>For anything that isn't listed, use the manual steps above. See \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fdocs\u002Fapp-uninstall\">App Uninstaller\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fdocs\u002Fstartup-items#leftovers\">Startup Items\u003C\u002Fa> for details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"faq\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#faq\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Frequently asked questions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"restore\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#restore\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Can I get an app back after uninstalling it?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Apps and files uninstalled by WashBear don't go through the Trash and can't be restored. Apps from the App Store can be downloaded again there; other apps can be downloaded and reinstalled from their developers. If you also deleted the app's preferences and data, your previous settings are gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"system-apps\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#system-apps\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Can I uninstall apps that come with macOS?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>No. Apple explains that apps installed by macOS, such as Mail, Music and Notes, are required by your Mac and can't be deleted with the Finder. WashBear shows them as \u003Cstrong>Uninstall unavailable\u003C\u002Fstrong>, for viewing only.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"subscriptions\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#subscriptions\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Does uninstalling an app cancel its subscription?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>No. Cancel subscriptions separately, in the App Store or through the developer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[16,20,23,26,30,33,36,39,42,45,48,51,54],{"depth":17,"id":18,"text":19},2,"where-leftovers-live","Where apps leave files",{"depth":17,"id":21,"text":22},"keep-or-remove","What to remove and what to keep",{"depth":17,"id":24,"text":25},"manual","Uninstall an app by hand",{"depth":27,"id":28,"text":29},3,"quit-and-note-id","1. Quit the app and note its identifier",{"depth":27,"id":31,"text":32},"remove-app","2. Use the app's uninstaller, or move it to the Trash",{"depth":27,"id":34,"text":35},"remove-leftovers","3. Remove leftover files",{"depth":27,"id":37,"text":38},"login-items","4. Check login items, then empty the Trash",{"depth":17,"id":40,"text":41},"washbear","Uninstall with WashBear",{"depth":17,"id":43,"text":44},"already-deleted","What about apps you've already deleted?",{"depth":17,"id":46,"text":47},"faq","Frequently asked questions",{"depth":27,"id":49,"text":50},"restore","Can I get an app back after uninstalling it?",{"depth":27,"id":52,"text":53},"system-apps","Can I uninstall apps that come with macOS?",{"depth":27,"id":55,"text":56},"subscriptions","Does uninstalling an app cancel its subscription?","\nOn a Mac, most apps are uninstalled by dragging them to the Trash. But while you use an app, it stores caches, settings, logs and data elsewhere, and some apps install background items that run when you log in. Once the app itself is gone, those files stay behind, anywhere from a few megabytes to several gigabytes.\n\nIt's also worth knowing that, as Apple points out, deleting an app doesn't remove documents you created with it, and it doesn't cancel any subscription you bought through it.\n\n## Where apps leave files {#where-leftovers-live}\n\nMost are in your personal Library folder (`~\u002FLibrary`), usually named after the app or its identifier (something like `com.example.app`):\n\n- `~\u002FLibrary\u002FApplication Support`: app data, plug-ins and databases;\n- `~\u002FLibrary\u002FCaches`: caches;\n- `~\u002FLibrary\u002FPreferences`: preference files ending in `.plist`;\n- `~\u002FLibrary\u002FContainers` and `~\u002FLibrary\u002FGroup Containers`: data for sandboxed apps, which includes every app from the App Store;\n- `~\u002FLibrary\u002FSaved Application State`: saved window data;\n- `~\u002FLibrary\u002FLogs`: logs;\n- `~\u002FLibrary\u002FHTTPStorages` and `~\u002FLibrary\u002FWebKit`: data from web content shown inside the app;\n- `~\u002FLibrary\u002FLaunchAgents`: background items that start when you log in.\n\nSome files apply to all users and need an administrator password to change: `\u002FLibrary\u002FApplication Support`, `\u002FLibrary\u002FLaunchAgents`, `\u002FLibrary\u002FLaunchDaemons` and `\u002FLibrary\u002FPrivilegedHelperTools`.\n\n## What to remove and what to keep {#keep-or-remove}\n\n- **Caches, logs and saved window data** can all be recreated, so remove them along with an app you no longer use.\n- **Preferences, app support files and private app data** may hold your settings, templates, game saves or local notes. If you might reinstall later, or there's something in them you want, back them up or keep them.\n- **Folders shared by several apps**: apps from the same developer sometimes share a folder in `Group Containers`. If you're not sure, leave it.\n\n## Uninstall an app by hand {#manual}\n\n### 1. Quit the app and note its identifier {#quit-and-note-id}\n\nQuit the app first, including any menu bar icon it has. If you're not sure whether it's still running in the background, check Activity Monitor. Then note the app's identifier, which you'll need when looking for leftovers. In Terminal, type `mdls -name kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier -raw ` (with a space at the end), drag the app from the Applications folder into the window, then press Return:\n\n```bash\nmdls -name kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier -raw \u002FApplications\u002FSafari.app\n```\n\nThe output, `com.apple.Safari`, is Safari's identifier.\n\n### 2. Use the app's uninstaller, or move it to the Trash {#remove-app}\n\nLook in the app's folder for an app named something like \"Uninstall [App]\" or \"[App] Uninstaller\"; some apps also offer an uninstall option in a menu or in their settings. Apple recommends using an uninstaller when there is one, because it can also remove login items, extensions and other components the app installed elsewhere.\n\nIf there's no uninstaller, drag the app from the Applications folder in the Finder to the Trash, or select it and choose File > Move to Trash. If you're asked for a user name and password, enter those of an administrator account on your Mac.\n\n### 3. Remove leftover files {#remove-leftovers}\n\nChoose Go > Go to Folder and open each location listed above, looking for items named after the app or its identifier. You can also search by keyword in Terminal; replace `zoom` with part of the app's name or identifier:\n\n```bash\nfind ~\u002FLibrary -maxdepth 2 -iname '*zoom*' 2>\u002Fdev\u002Fnull\n```\n\nFolders with similar names may belong to another app, so check each result before deleting it.\n\n### 4. Check login items, then empty the Trash {#login-items}\n\nOpen System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions and check for anything the app left under Open at Login or App Background Activity. Once everything looks right, empty the Trash.\n\n## Uninstall with WashBear {#washbear}\n\n::demo uninstall\n\n**App Uninstaller** lists the apps installed on your Mac and the space they use, and deals with their related files when you uninstall them.\n\n1. **Scan and find the app**: click **Start Scan**. The scan only reads information and changes nothing. Filter by **All**, **Ready**, **Admin required**, **Running** or **Unavailable**, or sort by **Estimated size**, **Last used** or **Installed** to find large apps you haven't used in a while.\n2. **Review related files**: click an app's row to expand it and see what will be removed, with a risk label on each item. The **Application** itself is **Required for uninstall**. **Application cache**, **Application logs**, **Saved window data** and some **Website and network data** are marked **Can be recreated** and selected by default. **App support files**, **Preferences**, **Private app data** and similar items are marked **May contain user data** and aren't selected by default; select them only when you're sure you no longer need them. Use **Show in folder** on any item to see where it is.\n3. **Uninstall**: select one or more apps and click **Uninstall Selected** at the bottom. If a selected app is running, **Close apps before uninstalling** appears first, so save your work. For apps marked **Admin required**, macOS shows an authorization prompt. Check the number of apps and the estimated space in the confirmation, then click **Confirm Uninstall**.\n\nWashBear checks the matching locations in your personal Library by the app's identifier and lists only files that clearly belong to that app. Folders named after the developer, `Group Containers`, and components in `\u002FLibrary` aren't listed automatically; check those by hand as described above if you need to.\n\n> [!WARNING]\n> The app and the related files you select are deleted permanently. They don't go to the Trash and can't be recovered. Uninstall results are recorded in **Operation History**. Back up any settings, templates or local files you want to keep before uninstalling.\n\n## What about apps you've already deleted? {#already-deleted}\n\nIf you deleted an app long ago and its leftovers are still around, here's where to look:\n\n- **App leftovers** in **Deep Cleanup**: lists data left behind by removed apps that can be clearly linked to them, checked as part of a standard scan. Expand an item to see its locations before selecting it.\n- **Leftovers** in **Startup Items**: startup configurations that remain after an app was deleted show up here, and you can remove them with **Delete Startup Item** or **Delete leftover record**. Some login records can only be removed in the Login Items settings of macOS; expand the item to see how.\n\nFor anything that isn't listed, use the manual steps above. See [App Uninstaller](\u002Fdocs\u002Fapp-uninstall) and [Startup Items](\u002Fdocs\u002Fstartup-items#leftovers) for details.\n\n## Frequently asked questions {#faq}\n\n### Can I get an app back after uninstalling it? {#restore}\n\nApps and files uninstalled by WashBear don't go through the Trash and can't be restored. Apps from the App Store can be downloaded again there; other apps can be downloaded and reinstalled from their developers. If you also deleted the app's preferences and data, your previous settings are gone.\n\n### Can I uninstall apps that come with macOS? {#system-apps}\n\nNo. Apple explains that apps installed by macOS, such as Mail, Music and Notes, are required by your Mac and can't be deleted with the Finder. WashBear shows them as **Uninstall unavailable**, for viewing only.\n\n### Does uninstalling an app cancel its subscription? {#subscriptions}\n\nNo. Cancel subscriptions separately, in the App Store or through the developer.\n",1793258439468]