How to completely uninstall apps on a Mac

Updated October 23, 2026

Dragging an app to the Trash removes the app, but not the files it created in your Library folder. Over time those leftovers add up to gigabytes.

Step 1: remove the app

Most apps: quit the app, then drag it from Applications to the Trash.
App Store apps: the same, or open Launchpad, hold Option and click the ✕.
Apps with their own uninstaller (often security tools, drivers and Adobe apps): use it, because they install background services that dragging won't remove.

Step 2: find the leftovers

In Finder, choose Go › Go to Folder… and check these folders for anything named after the app or its developer:

~/Library/Application Support
~/Library/Caches
~/Library/Preferences (files like com.developer.app.plist)
~/Library/Containers and ~/Library/Group Containers
~/Library/Saved Application State
~/Library/Logs
~/Library/LaunchAgents, /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons for background services

Move what belongs to the removed app to the Trash. If you're not sure a file belongs to it, leave it.

Step 3: check login items

Open System Settings › General › Login Items & Extensions and turn off anything left over from the app.

Uninstall with Disklumo

Disklumo's Apps tab lists your apps with their size and when you last used them. Uninstalling removes the app together with its related files, and both always go to the Trash. The same tab shows available updates from Homebrew, the App Store and in-app updaters, and what runs when you log in. Leftovers from apps you removed earlier show up in Clean.

Questions

Does dragging an app to the Trash uninstall it completely?

No. It removes the app itself but leaves its caches, preferences, support files and sometimes background services in your Library folders.

Where are app leftovers stored on a Mac?

Mostly in ~/Library: Application Support, Caches, Preferences, Containers, Group Containers, Saved Application State and Logs. Background services live in LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons folders.

Do it in one window

Disklumo scans your Mac, shows every item with its size and path, and moves what you choose to the Trash. Clean, uninstall apps, map your disk, watch live status and run maintenance. $17 once, for Apple Silicon Macs on macOS 14 or later.

See Disklumo