How to Force Uninstall An App on Mac

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Mac OS is a seamless operating system with lots of in-built applications that make your user experience more enjoyable. However, with time, you might install many third-party applications that might stop working, or you might not need them anymore. At this point, you might want to uninstall those unused applications to create more space. While the process of uninstallation is relatively easy on a Mac, sometimes, you might encounter problems with the app not being able to uninstall completely. In this article, we will be addressing how to force uninstall an app on Mac.

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of Force Uninstalling An App on Mac

Uninstalling an application on Mac involves dragging and dropping the app icon to the trash bin. However, this process of uninstallation does not remove all the files installed by the app thereby leaving behind loads of data in your system storage. This situation could lead to performance issues or storage space utilization problems. Therefore, some third-party apps have been created to help with the complete removal of apps, but sometimes even these apps fail to uninstall an app completely. At this point, force uninstallation becomes important.

Things You Should Prepare for

Before proceeding with the process of force uninstalling an app, there are some things you need to prepare.

  • Get accurate information about the app you want to force uninstall so you don’t delete the wrong app. You can check for the app location in the "Applications" folder.
  • Some apps might have settings options that allow them to auto-start at system startup. Ensure you disable this feature within the app settings if it exists.
  • The app might contain important files or data. Create a backup before uninstalling the app in case you need the data in the future.

Method 1: Using AppCleaner

AppCleaner is a third-party app designed to help you uninstall apps and all of their associated files. It is straightforward to use and can be downloaded from the app store or their website. Here are the steps:

  1. Download and install AppCleaner on your Mac.
  2. Launch the AppCleaner app.
  3. Drag the application icon of the app you want to force uninstall to the AppCleaner window.
  4. AppCleaner will scan and display all associated files. Confirm that all the files displayed are related to the app and click on "Remove" to uninstall the app completely.

Pros:

  • AppCleaner is a free app and very easy to use.
  • The scan function ensures that all associated files are found and removed.
  • The app can be used to uninstall multiple apps at the same time.
  • It can remove all associated files even if they are hidden.

Cons:

  • It can sometimes mistakenly remove important files associated with other apps.
  • The app can sometimes have compatibility issues with the Mac OS version.

Method 2: Using Terminal

The Terminal app is an in-built command-line tool that allows you to navigate and carry out functions on your Mac. Here are the steps to force uninstall an app using Terminal:

  1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac.
  2. Type "sudo rm -r " followed by the path of the application file you want to delete. The path should include the name of the app and its extension (e.g., /Applications/APPNAME.app).
  3. Enter your Mac login credentials to give Terminal permission to delete the app.
  4. Press Enter to delete the app and all associated files.
  5. Exit the Terminal app.

Pros:

  • The Terminal app is an in-built app that requires no additional installation.
  • You have full control over the deletion process, and you can delete files beyond the app associated files.

Cons:

  • The process is complicated and requires advanced IT knowledge of Mac commands. A small typo in the commands could lead to devastating results.
  • You cannot retrieve the data already deleted by Terminal.
  • If you delete wrong files, you might cause the Mac OS to malfunction.

Method 3: Using Finder

Finder is the in-built file explorer on a Mac, and you can use it to force uninstall an app too. Here are the steps:

  1. Launch Finder on your Mac.
  2. Navigate to the "Applications" folder.
  3. Locate the app you want to delete and press "Command + I".
  4. Click on the little "Padlock" icon in the lower right corner of the window that pops up.
  5. You will be prompted for your Mac login credentials. Enter them to unlock the file.
  6. Scroll down and click on the "-" sign beside "Sharing & Permissions."
  7. Choose "admin" from the dropdown menu and change the privilege access to "Read & Write."
  8. Press the "Cog" icon at the bottom of the window and select "Make ‘admin’ the Owner."
  9. Now, drag the app icon to the trash bin, press "Control + Empty Trash" to delete the app and all related files.

Pros:

  • The process is relatively easy to follow and execute.
  • You have control over the files you want to delete.
  • You can permanently delete files that would be tricky to delete usually.
  • The process is entirely free.

Cons:

  • It might not remove hidden files that you are unaware of.
  • You might mistakenly delete the wrong files without recovery.

Why Can’t I Force Uninstall Some Apps?

There are a few reasons why you might be unable to uninstall some apps:

1. The app is running in the background:

Before you can uninstall, you need to stop the app from running in the background. Click the "X" icon at the top left corner of the app window or open the "Activity Monitor" app to force the app to stop running.

2. Incomplete installation:

Some apps might fail to uninstall because of incomplete installation. Locate the installation files of the app, reinstall the app, and uninstall it again.

3. Corrupt files:

If the app you want to uninstall has corrupt files, you might be unable to uninstall it using normal methods. Use Terminal or other third-party apps to force uninstall the app.

Additional Tips

  • Before uninstalling any app, research the app’s associated files and understand its importance to the system thoroughly.
  • Regularly clean your Mac for space and operate it efficiently.

5 FAQs About Force Uninstalling Apps on Mac

Q1: How do I reinstall an app after force uninstalling it?

A: Find the app in the AppStore or on the developer’s website, download and install it again.

Q2: Can force uninstallation cause harm to my Mac?

A: Yes, using Terminal to force uninstall an app could cause harm to your system if there is a typo in the command or if you delete essential system files accidentally.

Q3: Is it advisable to delete all associated files when uninstalling an app?

A: Yes, it is because deleting all associated files will ensure complete removal of the app from your system.

Q4: Can I prevent certain apps from auto-starting when I turn on my Mac?

A: Yes, you can navigate to "System Preferences," then "Users & Groups," "Login Items," and remove the app’s tick from the list.

Q5: Can I recover deleted files from force uninstallation?

A: No, you cannot recover deleted files permanently after uninstalling an app using any force uninstall method.

In Conclusion

Uninstalling an app on a Mac is relatively easy until you face some stubborn apps that refuse to go down. At this point, using force uninstallation methods like Terminal, Finder, or third-party apps becomes important. Always remember to back up important data before uninstalling any app so you don’t accidentally delete important data. Follow the steps in this article to force uninstall apps without damaging your Mac system.

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