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How to delete an app that won't move to Mac Trash?

How do I delete 32-bit applications from Macintosh HD/Applications? Their file icons display a grey circle-slash "no" symbol, they don't appear in Launchpad, and dragging to Trash does nothing.

Best Answered by

Amanda Wong

Answered on Tuesday, August 27, 2024

If you can't delete the app from the Launchpad or drag it to Trash, you can try to remove the application with a third-party uninstaller, or run commands in Terminal, the macOS built-in utility. In case the app you want to delete is a system app, Apple doesn't allow you to delete it.

The reason behind the files of applications covered with a cross-out sign is that macOS no longer supports 32-bit applications. macOS 10.14 Mojave, the version of the Mac operating system before macOS Catalina, is the last version that supports 32-bit software. The current macOS version is Ventura 13.1.

Here is how to uninstall a third-party application on Mac with Terminal:

  1. Head to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
  2. Type the following command carefully and press Return.cd /Applications/
  3. Type the following command with a space, and then drag-drop the target app to the Terminal. Then, hit Return. sudo rm -rf
  4. Type your admin password and press Return.

In addition to Terminal, you can also try the uninstaller for Mac - iBoysoft MagicMenu. After you installed this app on your Mac, you just need to select the app you want to delete and then click the Uninstall button from the menu.