How to uninstall a Mac app completely

Mac apps are usually self-contained, but 'usually' is doing a lot of work. Preferences, caches, saved state, and login items can linger long after the app is gone.

The manual way

Quit the app, drag it from Applications to the Trash, then check ~/Library/Application Support, ~/Library/Caches, and ~/Library/Preferences for folders named after the app or its developer. Be careful: not every folder with a familiar name belongs to the app you're removing.

The safer way

A good uninstaller shows the app and its associated files together, with sizes and locations, so you can review each item before removal.

• Never delete system folders to 'speed up' a Mac.
• Empty the Trash after you're sure everything works.
• Restart once to confirm the app and its login item are gone.