Launchpad is a handy feature on Mac that allows users to easily access and organize their applications. However, over time, you may find that your Launchpad is cluttered with unused or unnecessary apps. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to delete apps off Launchpad on your Mac.
Step 1: Click on the Launchpad icon in the Dock, or use the shortcut key F4 to open Launchpad.
Step 2: Locate the app you want to delete. You can do this by scrolling through the pages or using the search bar at the top. Once you find the app, click and hold on its icon until all the icons start to jiggle.
Step 3: A small "X" will appear on the top-left corner of the app icon. Click on the "X" to delete the app. A confirmation message will appear asking if you want to delete the app permanently. Click "Delete" to confirm the deletion.
Step 4: The app will be removed from Launchpad immediately. However, keep in mind that deleting an app from Launchpad doesn’t uninstall it from your Mac completely. Some system apps and pre-installed apps cannot be deleted this way.
Step 5: To uninstall an app completely from your Mac, you will need to go to the "Applications" folder in Finder. You can access this folder by clicking on the "Finder" icon in the Dock, then selecting "Applications" from the sidebar.
Step 6: In the Applications folder, locate the app you want to remove. Right-click on the app and select "Move to Trash" from the context menu. Alternatively, you can drag the app to the Trash icon in the Dock.
Step 7: Once the app is in the Trash, empty the Trash to permanently delete the app. Right-click on the Trash icon and select "Empty Trash" from the menu. Confirm the action when prompted.
Now you have successfully deleted the app from both Launchpad and your Mac.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Easy and quick method to remove unwanted apps from Launchpad. | 1. Some system apps and pre-installed apps cannot be deleted this way. |
| 2. Helps to keep Launchpad organized and clutter-free for better productivity. | 2. Deleting an app from Launchpad only removes its shortcut, not the app itself. |
| 3. Removing apps from Launchpad doesn’t affect their functionality or data. | 3. Requires additional steps to completely uninstall an app from your Mac. |
Deleting apps off Launchpad is a simple process that allows you to keep your Mac organized and free from unnecessary clutter. By following these steps, you can easily remove unwanted apps and improve your overall user experience on your Mac.
Video Tutorial: How do I force delete an icon from Launchpad?
How do I clear icons on my Mac?
To clear icons on your Mac, follow these steps:
1. Organize your desktop: Start by organizing your desktop icons into folders or relocating files to appropriate folders. This will help you have a clutter-free and more streamlined desktop.
2. Delete unnecessary files: Identify any files or documents that you no longer need and delete them. This will help reduce the number of icons on your desktop and free up storage space on your Mac.
3. Remove unused applications: Uninstall any applications that you rarely or never use. To do this, open the "Applications" folder in Finder, locate the app, and then drag it to the Trash or right-click and select "Move to Trash." Remember to empty the Trash afterward by right-clicking on it and selecting "Empty Trash."
4. Remove shortcuts: If you have any shortcuts or aliases on your desktop, consider removing them if they are no longer relevant or necessary. To remove a shortcut, simply click on it to select it, then press the "Delete" key on your keyboard, or right-click and choose "Move to Trash."
5. Use Stacks: One helpful feature on macOS is Stacks, which automatically organizes your desktop files into neat stacks based on file type or date modified. Right-click on your desktop and select "Use Stacks" to enable this feature. It will group icons together and help maintain a cleaner desktop.
6. Adjust desktop view options: You can further customize how your icons appear on the desktop by adjusting the view options. Right-click on the desktop, select "Show View Options," and explore options like grid spacing, text size, icon size, and arrangement. Adjust these settings to your preference to create a cleaner and more organized desktop layout.
By following these steps, you can clear icons on your Mac, making your desktop more organized, decluttered, and visually appealing.
How do I remove apps from Launchpad Mac?
To remove apps from Launchpad on your Mac, follow these steps:
1. Open Launchpad: Click on the Launchpad icon in the Dock or use the pinch-to-zoom gesture with your thumb and three fingers on your trackpad.
2. Locate the app you want to remove: Navigate through the Launchpad pages by swiping left or right, or use the arrow keys on your keyboard. Find the app you wish to delete.
3. Enter the "jiggle" mode: To enter the "jiggle" or edit mode, either click and hold an app icon until they start wiggling or use the pinch-to-zoom gesture with your thumb and three fingers on the trackpad.
4. Delete the app: Click on the small "X" button that appears on the top-left corner of the app icon. A confirmation message will appear asking if you want to delete the app. Click "Delete" to proceed with the removal. Please note that built-in macOS apps cannot be removed this way.
5. Exit the "jiggle" mode: Press the Escape (Esc) key on your keyboard or click outside the app icons to exit the edit mode.
The app you removed should no longer be displayed in Launchpad. However, this action does not completely uninstall the app from your Mac. It only removes the Launchpad shortcut. If you want to fully uninstall the app and also remove associated files, you may need to follow additional steps depending on the app itself.
Please note that the steps provided are based on the current knowledge and experience up until 2023, considering the latest models and software versions mentioned (iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, and iOS 16).
How do I remove icons from Launchpad on Macbook Air?
To remove icons from Launchpad on MacBook Air, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Launchpad icon in the Dock. This will open the Launchpad interface on your MacBook Air.
2. Locate the icon you want to remove. You can browse through the different pages or use the search bar at the top to find the app you want to remove.
3. Once you’ve found the app icon you want to delete, click and hold it until all the icons start to jiggle. Similar to the process for deleting apps on iOS devices, this indicates that you’re in editing mode for Launchpad.
4. Look for a small "X" button at the top-left corner of the icon you want to remove. Click on it.
5. A confirmation prompt will appear asking if you want to delete the app. Click on "Delete" to confirm the removal. Please note that built-in apps from Apple cannot be completely removed; you can only hide them from the Launchpad view.
6. If you change your mind or mistakenly delete an app, you can easily restore it by opening the "Applications" folder in Finder, finding the app, and dragging it back to the Launchpad.
Repeat these steps for any additional icons you want to remove or delete from the Launchpad on your MacBook Air.
Remember, removing icons from Launchpad will not uninstall or delete the actual application from your MacBook Air; it only removes the icon from the Launchpad interface for ease of organization and access.
How do I remove apps from Launchpad that won’t delete?
To remove apps from Launchpad that won’t delete, you can follow these steps:
1. Restart your Mac: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor software glitches. Try restarting your Mac and then check if you can delete the unwanted apps from Launchpad.
2. Use Finder: If the apps still won’t delete from Launchpad, you can use Finder to remove them. Here’s how you can do it:
a. Open a Finder window by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or pressing Command + Space and searching for Finder.
b. In the Finder window, select "Applications" in the sidebar.
c. Locate the app you want to delete from Launchpad.
d. Right-click (or Control-click) on the app and choose "Move to Trash."
e. After moving the app to the Trash, you can empty the Trash by right-clicking on the Trash icon in the Dock and selecting "Empty Trash."
3. Terminal Commands: If the above methods don’t work, you can also try removing the apps using Terminal commands. Please note that using Terminal requires some technical knowledge, so proceed with caution and follow these steps carefully:
a. Open Terminal from the Applications > Utilities folder or search for Terminal using Spotlight (Command + Space).
b. In the Terminal window, type the following command: `sudo rm -rf /Applications/AppName.app`, replacing "AppName" with the name of the app you want to delete.
c. Press Enter and provide your administrator password when prompted.
d. After running the command, the app should be removed from Launchpad.
It’s important to exercise caution while deleting apps, as removing system files or essential applications can cause issues. Make sure you’re removing unwanted apps and not essential ones for your Mac’s operation.
These steps should help you remove apps from Launchpad that won’t delete. If you’re still facing issues, it might be helpful to seek further assistance from Apple Support or the developer of the app in question.
How do I clean up my Launchpad?
In order to clean up your Launchpad, follow these steps:
1. Review installed apps: First, review the apps you have installed on your Mac. Determine which apps you no longer use or need. It is important to identify unnecessary applications to declutter your Launchpad effectively.
2. Uninstall unused apps: To uninstall an app, click and hold on its icon in Launchpad until it starts shaking. You will then see an "X" button on the app icons you can remove. Click on the "X" button to delete the app. Confirm the action if prompted.
3. Remove folders and categories: While in Launchpad, if you spot any folders or categories that are no longer needed, click and hold on them until they start shaking. Then, click on the "X" button to remove them. Be careful not to delete any essential system folders.
4. Organize app icons: By default, Launchpad automatically arranges apps alphabetically across multiple pages. However, you can manually organize your app icons within Launchpad by clicking and dragging them into the desired position. This allows you to create customized layouts and group apps based on your preferences.
5. Reset Launchpad: If you want to completely reset your Launchpad and start fresh, you can use a Terminal command. Open the Terminal app (found in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder) and enter the following command: `defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true; killall Dock`. Press Enter to execute the command, and your Launchpad will reset to its default state.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean up your Launchpad, remove unwanted apps and folders, and organize your app icons to enhance your Mac’s usability and overall experience.