I’m trying to remove some apps from my Mac, but they simply won’t delete. I’ve tried dragging them to the trash and quitting the apps, but nothing seems to work. How can I get rid of these stubborn apps?
Have you tried throwing your Mac out the window to show it who’s boss? Kidding… mostly. Here’s the deal: macOS sometimes protects certain apps like they’re the crown jewels. System apps or ones installed from the Mac App Store may be locked down to prevent accidental deletion, or Apple just REALLY doesn’t want you messing with them.
If dragging to the trash isn’t working, check a few things:
- Is the app still open? Quit it. Heck, force-quit it if you have to (Command + Option + Escape).
- Admin privileges: Some apps demand you prove your identity before they leave. Like an ex who still wants closure. Enter your admin password when prompted.
- System apps: Apps like Safari, Music, etc., are baked into macOS. Removing them is like trying to catch air with your hands—it’s just not gonna happen without some command-line magic (also risky).
- Third-party apps: For stubborn offenders, consider using an app removal wizard like AppCleaner. It’s free and digs into app leftovers like preference files and hidden junk. Just avoid sketchy tools unless you like surprises (read: malware).
Still no joy? You might need to muck around in the /Applications folder directly or boot into Safe Mode to bypass weird permissions drama. Back up your data first, though, just in case you accidentally inhabit chaos.
If none of this works, congrats! Your Mac now has a permanent museum exhibit: ‘Unremovable Apps’. Charge admission, I guess?
Just because your Mac refuses to let go of an app doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. Macs can act like those people who hoard things “just in case,” but it’s all about figuring out where macOS is being clingy. @sterrenkijker covered a lot, but one thing I’d push back on a bit is the whole idea that some apps can’t be removed. You’re technically not supposed to delete system apps, yes, but you absolutely can—IF you want to risk messing something up. (Not saying you should, but daring you slightly.)
So here’s another layer of attack:
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Search for associated processes: Even after quitting an app, sometimes background processes cling to life. Open “Activity Monitor” (search for it in Spotlight), look for anything related to the app’s name, and force quit those processes.
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Check the LaunchAgents or LaunchDaemons folders: These are hidden folders where apps might sneak startup items that keep them alive. You can find them in
/Libraryor~/Library. Delete any files associated with the stubborn app—but be careful not to trash random stuff unless you want to host the ghost of macOS glitches. -
Disable SIP temporarily: If macOS absolutely feels like a helicopter parent, that’s thanks to System Integrity Protection (SIP). Restart your Mac, hold Command + R during boot to enter Recovery Mode, open Terminal, and type
csrutil disable. Restart and delete the app, but don’t forget to re-enable SIP afterward (csrutil enable) or your Mac’s security system will yell at you later. -
Manual uninstallation from Terminal: For advanced users (or the tech-brave), dive into Terminal and use the
sudo rm -rfcommand to directly delete the app folder. WARNING: Only do this if you know what you’re doing (or enjoy living on the edge), because one wrong move can nuke your files.
One last thing: some apps auto-reinstall on reboot, like clingy software zombies. To stop that nonsense, double-check if they’re pulling updates from the App Store and turn off auto-updates or uninstall them from their source. If nothing works, hm, maybe just… live with it? Consider the app your Mac’s long-lost cousin it refuses to kick out.
Okay, look, @sonhadordobosque and @sterrenkijker both came through with some solid advice, but let’s address this stubborn app situation with an alternative angle—because why not, right? And sometimes, you just need a fresh perspective.
Why Some Apps Won’t Budge + How to Fight the Mac Resistance:
1. Permission Drama? Try the Terminal’s chmod Move
Certain apps cling on because permission settings are set to “read-only” for some components. Fire up Terminal (sounds scary, but it isn’t) and locate your app’s folder in /Applications. Then change its permissions to make it more… shall we say, agreeable? Use:
sudo chmod -R 777 /Applications/YourAppName.app
Boom. Full permissions granted. Drag it to the Trash now.
2. Spotlight Index Flaw
Sometimes macOS believes an app’s still active because Spotlight’s index is playing games with you. Go to System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy and add/remove your applications folder to force a reindex. Then try deleting the app again. Weird trick. Weirdly effective.
3. Persistent Cache Files Bleeding Into Logic
You could clean up caches manually if you enjoy spelunking through weird directories like ~/Library/Caches/ or /Library/Caches/, OR (this is a freebie since we don’t gatekeep here) grab an optimizing app like CleanMyMac X. But hold on—pros and cons of this:
- Pro: Super user-friendly admin controls, cache-clearing in clicks.
- Con: It’s not free, so some hardcore folks may just dig into the folders manually instead. (If you’re broke but stubborn, go manual; I respect that.)
This app competes with tools like AppCleaner recommended before. AppCleaner’s great for surgical deletions, but CleanMyMac X dives deeper into system cleaning if you want an all-out spring clean. Pick your poison.
4. Automation Gone Rogue: Launch Scripts
Let’s say deleting the app doesn’t stick—like gum on a shoe—because it respawns. Check your Startup Items by heading over to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items. Kill anything tied to the app there. Then, double-check ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ or /Library/LaunchDaemons/. Delete anything related. Rinse and repeat.
Hot Take: SIP Isn’t Always Necessary
Alright, @sterrenkijker, I see you. Disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP) is an option, but in ~95% of cases, you don’t actually need to go nuclear. Unless this app is literally a baked-in macOS system app (hi, Safari), you can bypass SIP drama entirely with proper folder navigation and Terminal commands. No need to risk your soul there.
What If None of This Works?
You ever wonder if taking these apps “hostage” changes things? Like leaving them there but replacing the app icon with something ridiculous in retaliation? Just a random idea. Settle for trolling it out if your Mac won’t cooperate.
Final note: If this is a recurring issue, remember macOS updates can sometimes fix these quirks. Keep your system updated when deleting is oddly not working as intended.