AppDelete is a well-known third-party uninstaller for macOS that specializes in completely removing applications and their associated files. When you simply drag an app to the Trash, many hidden files often remain behind—AppDelete is designed to track down and delete those extras to keep your Mac clean and clutter-free.
Although it has been discontinued officially, it remains a favorite for users who prefer a lightweight and efficient alternative to more feature-heavy utilities.
🧩 What Is AppDelete?
AppDelete is a utility that uninstalls applications, widgets, preference panes, plugins, and screensavers from macOS. It also locates and deletes the support files that come with them—such as caches, preferences, logs, and other fragments that would otherwise be left behind.
Developed by Reggie Ashworth, AppDelete offered a balance between power and simplicity before its discontinuation.
💡 Key Features
- Drag-and-drop uninstall: Simply drop apps into the window to initiate a full uninstall.
- Smart file tracking: Locates related files in the user library and system folders.
- Archive capability: Save apps for later restoration before deleting them.
- Log viewer: Review uninstall history and restore mistakenly deleted apps.
- Supports various items: Uninstall apps, widgets, plugins, and more.
🚀 How to Use AppDelete
📦 Installation:
- (When available) Download the
.dmg from third-party Mac software archives.
- Drag AppDelete into the Applications folder.
- Open and authorize if required via System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
🧼 Uninstalling Apps:
- Launch AppDelete.
- Drag an app or plugin into the AppDelete window.
- The tool scans and lists all related files.
- Click Delete to remove everything securely.
📁 What It Removes
- Application support folders
- Cache files
- Preferences (
.plist files)
- Log files
- Crashes and diagnostic reports
- Leftover directories and files from deleted apps
✅ Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lightweight and fast
- Simple drag-and-drop interface
- Thorough in detecting related files
- Allows archiving before deletion
- Worked with a variety of app types (not just
.app files)
Cons:
- Officially discontinued (no longer updated or maintained)
- No support for recent macOS versions (Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma)
- May not work reliably on Apple Silicon Macs
- Not notarized by Apple for modern security compliance
👤 Ideal For
- macOS users running older systems (Mojave, Catalina)
- Users who want a lightweight alternative to tools like CleanMyMac
- Fans of minimal, single-purpose apps
- Power users looking for deep app removal without extra features
🖥️ Compatibility
- Worked best with macOS versions up to 10.14 Mojave
- May not function properly on macOS Catalina and above
- Not compatible with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) without workarounds
🔚 Conclusion
While AppDelete is no longer actively developed, it remains a respected app for older macOS users looking for clean, deep application removal without the bells and whistles of modern system suites. If you’re running an older Mac and need a dependable way to uninstall apps completely, AppDelete is still a viable, though legacy, solution.