How to Delete Software on Mac that Won’t Delete
Though uninstalling apps on Mac is quite easy by dragging and dropping the apps to the dust bin, there are some apps still can’t be deleted, which can be annoying. This article contains a step-by-step guide, guiding you through the whole process of how to delete software on Mac that won’t delete. If you delete the files successfully only to find some important files are deleted as well, you can try iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac to retrieve them.
Free DownloadHaving too many applications installed on Mac can clutter your system. It also makes it hard to find files and unnecessary applications can easily take up your device’s limited storage space. To lighten up the storage space, you can delete the apps from Launchpad or Finder. If you are having difficulty removing some apps, read this post to learn how to delete software on Mac that won’t delete.
Part 1. Benefits of Deleting Useless Apps on Mac
Unused applications on your Mac can cause more harm than just taking up storage space. Here are some advantages that come with deleting unnecessary apps on a Mac device.
- Frees up storage space
- Allows for easy access to utilities and features that are useful
- Makes your system more secure since old apps that don’t get regular updates can easily harbor major security flaws
- You’ll easily get rid of possible apps that are tracking your system’s activities
- Increased performance of your Mac
Part 2. How to Delete Apps/Software from Launchpad and Finder on Mac
Without a doubt, it’s not easy to get rid of apps and software that are no longer needed on your Mac. If you’ve been battling with how to delete apps on Macbook pro that won’t delete, this section will share two easy ways you can remove them. Let’s get right into it!
Method 1: Delete Apps/Software from Launchpad
You can use this method to delete any app that you have downloaded and installed from the Mac App Store. It’s the most effective and fastest way to remove apps from your device. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Go to the Dock to find the Launchpad menu. The icon looks like a silver rocket ship. Another way to find the icon is to click the Launchpad key, F4. You can also find it on the rows of icons located on the Touch Bar.
Step 2: Click the Launchpad icon and once it’s open, a grid of apps will be displayed. Browse through to locate the apps that you want to delete.
Step 3: Click and hold down the app that you want to delete until the icon begins to jiggle. When the icons start to jiggle, you’ll see an ‘X’ on the upper-left side of each of the icons. Click the ‘X’ on each app that you want to delete. You will be asked to confirm if you want to delete the icons. Click ‘Delete’ to remove the app from Mac. That’s all it takes to delete apps/software from Launchpad.
Method 2: Delete Apps/Software from Finder on Mac
If you can’t find the apps you want to delete on the Launchpad, the Finder is the next place to check. To delete apps through the Finder, follow the steps highlighted below:
Step 1: Go to the Dock and click the ‘Finder’ icon. This looks like a smiling computer screen.
Step 2: Search for the software that you want to delete from Finder or check the ‘Applications’ folder. Scroll through it to find the app you’re looking for.
Step 3: Check to see if the software has a folder and if it does, click to open the folder. Usually, older and larger apps are packed with an Uninstaller. If the folder is included in an Uninstaller, click on it to run the Uninstaller automatically. You will see a set of instructions on how to uninstall apps on Mac that won’t delete. Follow the instruction to remove stubborn apps from your Mac.
Part 3. How to Delete Apps on MacBook Pro that Won't Delete
Many reasons may be responsible for an app hanging around even when you’ve tried to delete it severally. In this section, we’ll look at some of these reasons and the solutions to resolve them.
#1. An App is being used by another Process or App
Sometimes you want to delete an app and you get the message ‘File in Use’. This means that the app or a file in the app is currently being used by another app. You need to find the app using it and close it to resolve the issue. Here’s how to delete apps that cannot be deleted on Mac due to this reason:
Step 1: Check for the app that you’ve opened and close any suspicious window.
Step 2: Delete the app.
Step 3: If you’re still getting the ‘File in use’ notification, launch the Activity Monitor app. In the Activity Monitor menu, click on ‘Memory’ or Menu’ and check the list of running processes and apps. If you find the culprit, click the ‘Quit Process’ icon to close it.
#2. The File is locked
You may get the ‘File is locked’ message when trying to delete an app. The solution to this is to unlock the file first. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open Finder and control-click the specific app
2. lick ‘Get Info’ from the menu
3. If it’s not expanded, click the ‘General’ section to do so
4. Deselect the ‘Locked’ checkbox and you can proceed to delete the app
Part 4. How to Recover Data caused by Unexpected Deletion
In the process of deleting an app on Mac, it’s possible to delete some data accidentally. When this happens, don’t fret. You can recover the data with a tool. iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac is the best tool to get the job done.
It is a 100% safe and effective tool designed to recover deleted files from Mac desktop, Mac notebook, SD card, external hard drive, and USB drive. It’s very easy to use and works on any model of Mac and its accessories. If you’ve lost data while using any of the solutions on how to delete apps on Macbook that won’t delete, this is the tool to use for data recovery.
How to recover lost Data due to App Uninstallation with iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac
Step 1: Download and install iBeesoft Data Recovery. Launch the tool and select the file types you want to recover. Next, click ‘Start’.
Step 2: Select the specific location where the deleted files are located and click ‘Scan’ to recover deleted files on Mac.
Step 3: Preview the files and click ‘Recover’ to restore your lost files.
There you have the answers to how to delete app that won’t delete Mac. If you lose data during the app un-installation process, iBeesoft Data Recovery is the most recommended tool to use for the recovery.