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Launchpad was great for uninstalling apps; Spotlight is not
Apple published this video to their Support channel on YouTube yesterday, and it motivated me to get this off my chest: Uninstalling apps on macOS is not as easy as it should be. Yes, I know, I know that you can just drag an app to the trash and technically it’s gone. That’s what Apple recommends doing in its video. But then why do are apps like Raycast, CleanMyMac, and AppCleaner able to find leftover files scattered around your system by the deleted app? Maybe it’s just the
28 March 2026 at 20:14

Launchpad was great for uninstalling apps; Spotlight is not

28 March 2026 at 20:14

Apple published this video to their Support channel on YouTube yesterday, and it motivated me to get this off my chest:

Uninstalling apps on macOS is not as easy as it should be.

Yes, I know, I know that you can just drag an app to the trash and technically it’s gone. That’s what Apple recommends doing in its video. But then why do are apps like Raycast, CleanMyMac, and AppCleaner able to find leftover files scattered around your system by the deleted app? Maybe it’s just the completionist in me, but I don’t want those files left behind!

A screenshot of a software application window displaying a file management interface. The window lists 13 files, with a total size of 106.9 MB, related to “Things3.app” located in the Applications folder. Files include various plist and bom files within directories such as “/var/db/receipts” and “~/Library/Application Scripts.” At the bottom, there’s a checkbox labeled “Uninstall Things,” with options for “Uninstall Application” and “Actions” at the bottom right. The background is a blurred gradient of blue and soft colors.

Look at all these extra files that would be left behind if I just sent Things to the trash! (Don’t worry, I’m not ditching Things.) ⌘

One thing — the only thing? — I liked about Launchpad was that it made it super obvious how to uninstall (Mac App Store) apps.¹ Just like on your iPad/iPhone, you could click and hold on the app’s icon to send it into “jiggle mode” and then click the ‘X’ would remove it. I could be confident that all the app’s associated bits and bobs would be removed from my system.

A computer screen displaying a macOS Launchpad with various app icons, such as App Store, Mail, Contacts, and Calendar, arranged in a grid over a blue background. A pop-up dialogue box is open at the center of the screen, asking, “Are you sure you want to delete the application ‘GarageBand’?” with options to “Cancel” or “Delete.” Several app icons have a small “X” button visible for deletion. The Dock at the bottom shows additional apps.

This was easy. It made sense. Image: MacPaw ⌘

But that changed with Tahoe. While Spotlight got a huge boost in capability as a whole with clipboard history and actions, it also subsumed Launchpad’s role as the main, well, launcher for apps. But there are no affordances in Spotlight for removing apps like Launchpad had.

AppCleaner was my go-to tool back in the day, but now I use Raycast to get the job done with confidence. Raycast’s implementation could offer some inspiration for Apple. After searching for an app within Raycast, a simple ⌘K shortcut reveals a host of actions that can be taken on the app. You can open an app, reveal it in the Finder, quit it, and, yes, uninstall it — among other things.

A desktop interface displaying a search bar with the word “things” entered. Below are search results related to the “Things” application, such as “Things Web Clipper” and “Add To 7 Things.” A side menu shows options like “Force Quit Application,” “Enable Auto Quit,” “Restart Application,” “Disable Application,” and “Uninstall Application,” each with corresponding keyboard shortcuts. The background shows a blurred blue and beige gradient.

Searching for these actions is an extra nicety in Raycast. ⌘

Apple could follow this model and provide an ‘Uninstall App’ action to take within Spotlight.

Spotlight’s interface, seeing as it replaced Launchpad, should offer the same capability for removing apps. And it should be as thorough as on an iPhone or iPad.

P.S. I also occasionally use Raycast to quit apps that stubbornly have no icon in the Dock or menu bar and therefore make it tricky quit completely.

Apps installed outside of the Mac App Store would not display the ‘X’ to remove it. You had to do it the “old fashioned” way of dragging the app to the trash and then hunt down its system files.↩︎

HeyDingus is a blog by Jarrod Blundy about technology, the great outdoors, and other musings. If you like what you see — the blog posts, shortcuts, wallpapers, scripts, or anything — please consider leaving a tip, checking out my store, or just sharing my work. Your support is much appreciated!

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