Go to the applications folder and drag them into the trash. Some Apple apps may block deletion altogether though. Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
The Mac Observer
macobserver.com › home › how to delete apps on mac that won’t delete
How to Delete Apps on Mac that Won't Delete
September 12, 2025 - With this giving you two different ways of deleting apps, there may still be some apps that simply will not delete. In this case, we think that dedicated software like MacPaw can be an efficient method to uninstall stubborn apps because it has a duo tool that completely removes any unneeded app and updates all of your other software, which keeps your Mac at its peak performance. The two largest reasons an app simply won’t uninstall is because it is a system app, or the app is currently still running.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/macos › how do i delete apps that i can't delete?
r/MacOS on Reddit: How do I delete apps that I can't delete?
July 16, 2023 -
I am using MacOS Ventura 13.2.1 and I am trying to uninstall apps like Apple TV and Apple Music because I do not intend to use them. Some sources on Google say to use an uninstaller app, which did not work for me. Other sources say that those apps are a part of the OS and can not be uninstalled, but I saw some people say that you can use the Terminal to remove those apps. If someone can provide a detailed explanation and tutorial, it would be appreciated. Thank you!
my MacBook won't let me delete apps - Apple Community
From your post, it sounds like ... apps on your Mac, but they are not uninstalling. We can help. Since you tried using Launchpad to delete the apps, we recommend using Finder to delete the apps next. You can follow the steps for deleting through Finder in the support article below: ... If the issue persists, try restarting your Mac next, then reply with the app names you're trying to delete if that doesn't ... More on discussions.apple.com
applications - Is it possible to delete the "useless" apps pre-installed on my Mac? - Ask Different
Apps like "Notes", "Stickies", ... in my Macbook Pro are apps that I don't plan on ever using and it's taking up too much space in my Application Folder. Are there any ways to remove them? Please note that I have already tried dragging it to the Trash bin, but it won't even go to the Trash bin. It' just stuck in my computer forever. ... At one time or another I have deleted a whole bunch ... More on apple.stackexchange.com
Can’t delete apps - Apple Community
I want to delete apps from my MacBook Pro that are no longer supported by Monterey. However, I have tried dragging to the trash, but this doesn’t work. I have tried making the app icon wiggle, but it will not allow me to delete. (Has a whited out “no” symbol on top of the app.) More on discussions.apple.com
[deleted by user]
Activity Monitor is the Mac equivalent of Windows Task Manager. To open it, In Finder, navigate to Applications > Utilities. In that folder, you'll see the Activity Monitor icon. Just go there, find process of app that is running, stop it and try again. More on reddit.com
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June 4, 2024How to delete an app on Mac and remove leftover files?
To delete Mac apps and remove leftover files, you need a third-party tool like CleanMyMac or iBoysoft MagicMenu. These scan for residual files automatically, ensuring that you automatically clean up cache and other support files.
setapp.com
setapp.com › how-to › delete-app-from-mac-that-wont-delete
My ways to remove apps from Mac that won’t delete
How to uninstall app that I can't delete?
Try using the Terminal by typing the following commands in sequence: cd /Applications > ls > sudo rm -rf AppName.app. The most effective way to uninstall software is to use a third-party uninstaller. We recommend CleanMyMac or iBoysoft MagicMenu.
setapp.com
setapp.com › how-to › delete-app-from-mac-that-wont-delete
My ways to remove apps from Mac that won’t delete
Videos
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How to Delete Apps on Mac That Won't Delete - YouTube
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How to Uninstall Apps on Mac (Remove Leftovers Too) - YouTube
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How To Completely Uninstall Any App on Mac - YouTube
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(2025) How To Completely Uninstall Mac Apps! - YouTube
03:20
How To Completely Uninstall Apps On Mac Without Leaving Traces ...
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102610
Delete or uninstall apps on Mac - Apple Support
January 20, 2026 - If your app doesn’t include an uninstall app or feature, manually drag the app to the Trash. If you're asked for a user name and password, enter the name and password of an administrator account on your Mac. This is usually the name and password that you use to log in to your Mac.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 251505333
my MacBook won't let me delete apps - Apple Community
Since you tried using Launchpad ... Finder in the support article below: ... If the issue persists, try restarting your Mac next, then reply with the app names you're trying to delete if that doesn't ......
Setapp
setapp.com › how-to › delete-app-from-mac-that-wont-delete
My ways to remove apps from Mac that won’t delete
January 28, 2026 - If you can't uninstall an app on Mac because it's open, press · Command+Option+Esc and force quit unnecessary programs. Delete stuck apps cleanly without risking Library folders.
Wikihow
wikihow.com › computers and electronics › operating systems › mac › how to completely uninstall apps that won't delete on a mac
How to Completely Uninstall Apps That Won't Delete on a Mac
Before you try to delete an app, make sure to Force Close the app. Locate the app in the finder, and drag the icon to the Trash. Click Finder in the menu bar and select Empty Trash.
Published December 11, 2025 Views 14K
Top answer 1 of 7
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Current versions of both suggested apps (AppCleaner, CleanMyMac X) no longer offer deletion of the apps preinstalled with MacOS (as tested on MacOS Catalina/10.15 in 2020). The answer below was originally written in 2012.
At one time or another I have deleted a whole bunch of the standard issue programs that I knew I wouldn't use. I prefer not to have them wasting my space, however little it may be. Also, I use a Mac Mini as a media centre, changing the standard hdd for an ssd, so space is at a premium.
Appcleaner is one app that I have used for several years to tidy stuff up. Never had a single issue with deleting Stickies, Notes, Bootcamp Assistant, Audio Midi Setup, RAID, Podcast, etc, etc. Appcleaner preferences should be set up to delete "protected" apps and then will delete the app and all the other files (plists, etc.) that go with it.
Another app, CleanMyMac, does the same, but will also do a more general clearout of caches, etc. Both recommended...
Good luck!
2 of 7
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I strongly recommend against removing standard applications:
- Most of them need hardly any space at all (the three mentioned in the question need 14 MBytes together)
- An upcoming OS X version may expect them to be there
- There is no easy way to get them back once you removed them
MacKeeper
mackeeper.com › blog › mac tutorials › how to delete apps on mac that won’t delete
How to Delete Apps on Mac That Won’t Delete? How to Uninstall Them?
August 4, 2025 - Using Finder is one of the standard ways of deleting programs from your Apple computer. This is what you need to do: Open your Applications folder. Drag and drop the app into your Trash.
iMobie
imobie.com › home › support › how to delete apps on mac that won’t delete
3 Ways to Delete Apps on Mac That Won't Delete
January 13, 2026 - Can’t uninstall an app on your Mac? Learn why some apps won’t delete and how to remove them for good using one of the methods we covered here.
Avast
avast.com › c-uninstall-mac-apps
How to Uninstall Apps on a Mac | Delete Mac Programs
April 8, 2024 - That’s where a specialized Mac cleaning tool comes in — it can help you uninstall apps safely and easily. Here’s how: Download Avast Cleanup for Mac. ... Open the app and follow the setup instructions.
YouTube
youtube.com › cleanmymac
How to Uninstall Apps on Mac: Delete apps that won’t delete - YouTube
In this video, I’ll show you how to uninstall apps on Mac.Download CleanMyMac X here: https://bit.ly/3MuUsM2How to delete apps on Mac:Tip #1. Use Activity Mo...
Published November 15, 2023 Views 8K
PowerMyMac
powermymac.com › powermymac › how-to-delete-apps-on-mac-that-wont-delete.html
How To Delete Apps On Mac That Won’t Delete?
These cases indicate that you have a problem with your Launchpad. That’s the reason why your app won’t delete from that of Launchpad. Thus, you have to know how to delete apps on Mac that won’t delete. In order to fix this issue, you have to delete some type of data from your system.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254150897
Can’t delete apps - Apple Community
August 29, 2022 - Drag the app to the Trash, or select the app and choose File > Move to Trash. If you're asked for a user name and password, enter the name and password of an administrator account on your Mac. This is probably the name and password you use to log in to your Mac.
Lifewire
lifewire.com › delete-apps-on-mac-that-wont-delete-8599133
How to Delete Apps on a Mac That Won't Delete
March 13, 2024 - In some cases, you can't delete ... you can try to delete it. The simplest way to quit an app that won't close is to use the Force Quit menu....
EaseUS
easeus.com › mac cleanup resources › how to deleted apps on mac that won't delete
How to Deleted Apps on Mac That Won't Delete
April 30, 2025 - And it can be done from the Finder or Launchpad. Open Finder, go to the "Applications" folder, drag the selected program you want to uninstall to the "Trash" folder, finally open "Trash" folder and select "Empty" option.
Medium
medium.com › @olha.novitska › how-to-delete-apps-on-a-mac-that-wont-delete-and-what-to-do-on-iphone-ipad-too-c1729f23330b
How to delete apps on a Mac that won’t delete (and what to do on iPhone /iPad, too)
October 15, 2025 - TL;DR: If you can’t delete apps from a MacBook, iPhone, or iPad, start with the native delete, clear any blockers, then remove the app completely. Do that either manually or with an app like CleanMyMac or iBoysoft MagicMenu.
iBoysoft
iboysoft.com › home › how to tips › delete apps on mac that won't delete (launchpad/finder)
Delete Apps on Mac that won't Delete (Launchpad/Finder)
January 11, 2024 - But an uninstaller like CleanMyApp enables you to completely delete the app on Mac as long as you have permission. With it, you can quickly delete the app that won't delete on Mac, together with its app and all the supporting files generated ...
SimplyMac
simplymac.com › macos › how-to-delete-apps-on-mac-that-wont-delete
How to Delete Apps on a Mac That Won't Delete - SimplyMac
To delete apps on Mac that won’t delete, you can force quit the application, use Launchpad with the Option key held down, or use Terminal commands to completely remove the application files.
Published March 9, 2025
TechPP
techpp.com › tutorials › mac › can't delete a mac app because it's still open? [5 fixes]
Can't Delete a Mac App Because It's Still Open? [5 Fixes]
November 18, 2023 - On the Mac, it can sometimes happen ... problem that many Mac users face, but the good news is that it can be fixed by force closing the app....
Quora
quora.com › How-can-I-delete-apps-from-a-Mac-even-though-I-have-tried-dragging-it-into-the-bin
How to delete apps from a Mac even though I have tried dragging it into the bin - Quora
These peripheral sections may interfere with deletion or prevent you from updating or replacing an app. The best solution is to use either the Uninstaller that came with the app, or a third party app, like AppZapper, that will seek out and remove ...