Guide

Unleash Storage Space: How to Delete MacBook Air Apps in a Jiffy

Mathew is the owner and lead writer of techdigitalpro.com. With over 10 years of experience in IT support and mobile device repair, Mathew started this blog to help people solve common tech problems themselves. Through step-by-step tutorials and troubleshooting guides, Mathew aims to demystify technology and make it less frustrating...

What To Know

  • Click and drag the app icon to the Trash icon in the Dock.
  • Once you’ve dragged all the apps you want to delete to the Trash, right-click on the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash” to permanently remove them.

If you’re looking for a way to declutter your MacBook Air and free up some storage space, deleting unnecessary apps is a great place to start. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to delete MacBook Air apps:

Using Launchpad

1. Open Launchpad: Click on the Launchpad icon in your Dock or use the Spotlight search to find it.
2. Locate the app: Find the app you want to delete by scrolling through the icons or using the search bar.
3. Hold down the app icon: Click and hold the app icon until it starts jiggling.
4. Click the “X” button: A small “X” button will appear in the top-left corner of the app icon. Click on it.
5. Confirm deletion: A confirmation dialog box will appear. Click on the “Delete” button to remove the app.

Using the Finder

1. Open Finder: Click on the Finder icon in your Dock or use the Spotlight search to find it.
2. Navigate to the Applications folder: In the Finder sidebar, click on “Applications” to open the folder containing all your installed apps.
3. Locate the app: Find the app you want to delete by scrolling through the list or using the search bar.
4. Drag the app to the Trash: Click and drag the app icon to the Trash icon in the Dock.
5. Empty the Trash: Once you’ve dragged all the apps you want to delete to the Trash, right-click on the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash” to permanently remove them.

Using Terminal

1. Open Terminal: Use the Spotlight search to find and open the Terminal app.
2. Enter the command: Type the following command into the Terminal window:

“`
sudo rm -rf /Applications/[app name].app
“`

Replace “[app name]” with the actual name of the app you want to delete.
3. Enter your password: You will be prompted to enter your macOS password. Type it in and press Enter.
4. Confirm deletion: Confirm the deletion by typing “y” and pressing Enter.

Deleting Apps from the System Folder

Caution: Deleting apps from the System folder can have unintended consequences and is not recommended unless you know exactly what you’re doing.

1. Open Finder: Click on the Finder icon in your Dock or use the Spotlight search to find it.
2. Navigate to the System folder: In the Finder sidebar, click on “Go” and select “Go to Folder”.
3. Enter the path: In the “Go to Folder” field, enter the following path:

“`
/System/Applications
“`

4. Locate the app: Find the app you want to delete by scrolling through the list or using the search bar.
5. Drag the app to the Trash: Click and drag the app icon to the Trash icon in the Dock.
6. Empty the Trash: Right-click on the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash” to permanently remove the app.

Deleting Pre-Installed Apps

Some pre-installed apps on the MacBook Air cannot be deleted using the methods described above. To delete these apps, you need to use a third-party app remover tool.

1. Download an app remover tool: There are several app remover tools available for macOS, such as AppCleaner, CleanMyMac X, and AppZapper.
2. Install and run the tool: Follow the instructions to install and run the app remover tool.
3. Select the app: Once the tool is running, select the pre-installed app you want to delete.
4. Remove the app: Click on the “Remove” or “Uninstall” button to delete the app.

Deleting App Leftovers

After deleting an app, there may be some leftover files and folders that can take up space on your Mac. To remove these leftovers, follow these steps:

1. Open Finder: Click on the Finder icon in your Dock or use the Spotlight search to find it.
2. Navigate to the Library folder: In the Finder sidebar, click on “Go” and select “Go to Folder”.
3. Enter the path: In the “Go to Folder” field, enter the following path:

“`
~/Library
“`

4. Delete leftover files and folders: Search for any files or folders related to the deleted app and delete them.

Wrapping Up

Deleting apps on your MacBook Air is a simple task that can help you declutter your device and free up some storage space. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily remove unnecessary apps and keep your Mac running smoothly.

What People Want to Know

Q: Can I delete any app on my MacBook Air?
A: Yes, you can delete most apps installed on your MacBook Air, including both third-party apps and pre-installed apps. However, some system-critical apps cannot be deleted.

Q: What happens if I delete an app that has unsaved data?
A: If you delete an app without saving its data, the data will be lost. It’s recommended to back up your important data before deleting any apps.

Q: How can I recover a deleted app?
A: If you accidentally delete an app, you can restore it from the App Store if it was downloaded from there. Otherwise, you may need to reinstall the app from its original source.

Q: Is it safe to delete apps from the System folder?
A: No, it’s not recommended to delete apps from the System folder unless you’re absolutely sure what you’re doing. Deleting system apps can have unintended consequences and affect the functionality of your Mac.

Q: How do I know if an app is safe to delete?
A: If you’re unsure whether an app is safe to delete, it’s best to research it online or consult with an IT professional. Deleting system-critical apps or apps that are essential for the operation of your Mac is not recommended.

Mathew

Mathew is the owner and lead writer of techdigitalpro.com. With over 10 years of experience in IT support and mobile device repair, Mathew started this blog to help people solve common tech problems themselves. Through step-by-step tutorials and troubleshooting guides, Mathew aims to demystify technology and make it less frustrating for users. In his spare time, John enjoys dissecting electronics to learn how they work and trying to fix gadgets that others have given up on. He is always researching the latest devices and software in order to help readers of techdigitalpro.com solve any issue they may encounter.
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