Conquering Stubborn Apps: How to Delete Apps on Mac That Won’t Delete

We’ve all been there. You try to drag an app to the Trash, but it just won’t budge. Or perhaps the dreaded ‘in use’ message pops up, even when you’re sure the app is closed. Deleting apps on a Mac is usually a straightforward process, but sometimes, things get tricky. This article is your comprehensive guide to tackling those stubborn apps that refuse to be deleted. We’ll explore various methods, from simple fixes to more advanced techniques, ensuring you can regain control of your Mac’s storage and keep things tidy.

Understanding Why Apps Won’t Delete

Before diving into solutions, let’s understand why an app might refuse to be deleted. Here are some common reasons:

• App is Running: This is the most frequent culprit. If an app is still running in the background, even if you can’t see its window, macOS will prevent you from deleting it.
• Background Processes: Some apps have helper processes that run in the background. These processes can prevent the main application from being deleted.
• Login Items: Certain apps are configured to launch automatically when you log in. These ‘login items’ might need to be disabled before deletion.
• Permissions Issues: Occasionally, file permissions can be the issue. You may not have sufficient privileges to delete the application.
• Damaged Files: Corrupted or damaged application files can sometimes prevent normal deletion.
• Malware or Adware: In rare cases, a persistent app that resists deletion might be a sign of malware or adware.

Method 1: The Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Let’s begin with the easiest solutions before resorting to more complex measures. These steps should be your first line of defense when an app won’t delete.

Step 1: Quit the App Properly

The most common reason an app can’t be deleted is that it’s still running. Here’s how to make sure it’s completely closed:

1. Check the Dock: Look at your Dock at the bottom of the screen. A dot underneath an app icon indicates that the app is running. Click on the icon to bring the app to the foreground and then quit it using one of these methods:
• Menu Bar: Go to the app’s name in the menu bar (usually next to the Apple logo) and choose ‘Quit [App Name]’.
• Keyboard Shortcut: Press Command + Q while the app is in the foreground.
• Right-Click/Control-Click: Right-click or Control-click on the app icon in the Dock and select ‘Quit’.
2. Force Quit (If Necessary): If the app isn’t responding or won’t quit normally, use Force Quit. Here’s how:
• Keyboard Shortcut: Press Command + Option + Esc.
• A Force Quit Applications window will appear. Select the troublesome app and click ‘Force Quit’.
• Confirm by clicking ‘Force Quit’ again when prompted.

Step 2: Check for Background Processes

Even after quitting an app, some processes might still be running in the background. To check and quit these background processes:

1. Open Activity Monitor:
   • Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight Search.
   • Type ‘Activity Monitor’ and press Enter.
2. Look for the App’s Processes:
   • In the Activity Monitor window, use the ‘Search’ field (top-right corner) to search for the name of the app you’re trying to delete.
   • Look for any processes that are related to that app (they often have similar names).
3. Quit the Processes:
   • Select a process you want to quit.
   • Click the ‘X’ button in the toolbar (top-left corner).
   • Click ‘Quit’ or ‘Force Quit’ to stop the process. Force Quit is recommended if the process doesn’t quit using Quit.

Step 3: Try Deleting Again

Now that you’ve made sure the app and its background processes are closed, try deleting the app again. Drag the app icon from the Applications folder to the Trash icon in the Dock. Empty the Trash.

Method 2: Removing Login Items

If the app keeps restarting automatically, it might be set to launch at login. Here’s how to remove it from your login items:

1. Open System Settings:
   • Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select ‘System Settings’. (On older macOS versions, this might be called System Preferences).
2. Navigate to Login Items:
   • In the System Settings window, scroll down to find ‘General’. Click on ‘General’
   • Look for ‘Login Items’ and select it.
3. Remove the App from Login Items:
   • You’ll see a list of apps that launch automatically when you log in.
   • Locate the app you want to delete.
   • Select the app and click the minus (-) button to remove it from the list.
4. Try Deleting Again: Once removed from login items, try deleting the app again (remember to quit it first using Method 1).

Method 3: Using the Terminal

The Terminal provides a powerful command-line interface that can be useful for deleting stubborn apps, especially when permissions or file issues are involved. Exercise caution when using the Terminal, as incorrect commands can have unintended consequences.

Step 1: Open the Terminal

Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight Search, type ‘Terminal,’ and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to the Applications Folder

To navigate to the Applications folder, type the following command in the Terminal window and press Enter:

cd /Applications

Step 3: Use the ‘rm’ Command to Remove the App

The ‘rm’ command is used to remove files and directories. Be *very* careful when using this command, as it doesn’t move files to the Trash; it deletes them permanently. To remove an application, use the following command, replacing `YourAppName.app` with the exact name of the application (including the `.app` extension):

sudo rm -rf YourAppName.app

After typing the command, press Enter. You’ll be prompted to enter your administrator password. Type your password and press Enter. The app should now be deleted. Be careful not to misspell the application name when using this method, or you could end up deleting the wrong app.

Note:

• The sudo command gives you administrator privileges.
• The rm command deletes files or directories.
• The -rf options stand for ‘-r’ which makes it delete recursively (deleting all files in the directory) and ‘-f’ makes it force the deletion without prompting you.

Step 4: Empty the Trash

If the app folder is still in the trash, empty the Trash to completely remove it.

Method 4: Using a Third-Party Uninstaller

If none of the above methods works, you can use third-party uninstaller applications. These apps are specifically designed to remove applications and their associated files, ensuring a cleaner uninstall process. Many free and paid options are available in the Mac App Store or online. Some popular choices include:

• AppCleaner (Free): A simple and effective uninstaller that finds all related files and allows you to delete them.
• CleanMyMac X (Paid): A powerful suite of utilities, including a comprehensive uninstaller.
• TrashMe (Paid): Another paid app with many features including the ability to remove orphaned files.

Using these apps is usually straightforward. Generally, you open the uninstaller app, drag the problematic app icon into its window, and follow the on-screen prompts to delete the app and any related files.

Method 5: Troubleshooting Permissions Issues

If you are still unable to delete the app after trying all the previous methods it may mean you are facing file permission issues. This might happen if you have recently changed your user account or the app itself changed some settings. These steps might solve the problem.

Step 1: Reset Permissions using Terminal

Open the Terminal as described in method 3. In the terminal copy and paste the following command, replacing YourAppName.app with the actual name of the problematic app:

sudo chown -R $USER:staff /Applications/YourAppName.app

Press Enter and enter your administrator password when asked, the app owner should now be your user. You may also need to change the permissions with the following command:

sudo chmod -R u+rw /Applications/YourAppName.app

Press Enter, this command adds read and write permissions to you, as an owner of the file. Finally you can try deleting the app as usual, either by dragging it to the Trash or by using the rm command from method 3.

Dealing with Malware or Adware

If the app you’re trying to delete appears suspicious or refuses to be deleted even after trying all of the methods above, it might be a sign of malware or adware. In this case, it is important to take immediate steps to ensure your device is safe. Here are some recommendations:

• Run a Malware Scan: Download and run a reputable anti-malware program for macOS. There are many choices and some are paid, others free.
• Check Browser Extensions: Some adware can add browser extensions without your knowledge. Examine your browser extensions in the settings and remove any suspicious ones.
• Seek Professional Help: If you’re unable to resolve the issue yourself, consider seeking help from an IT professional specializing in macOS security.

Conclusion

Deleting apps on a Mac should be a simple process, but as we’ve seen, sometimes things can be more complicated. By systematically going through the troubleshooting steps, starting with basic checks and moving to more advanced methods, you should be able to remove even the most stubborn of applications. Remember to always exercise caution when using the Terminal and when installing third-party apps. Taking the time to understand why an app won’t delete and following the detailed instructions outlined in this guide will empower you to keep your Mac clean and organized.