Does deleting an app off iMac/iPad Air leave files that take up significant memory?

Emmett_1944 wrote:

Thanks that is good to know. I really only get apps from the App Store so I should mostly be in good shape. Some of these games that I don't like and don't play are just taking up memory. Maybe I will delete them.

For any app that you download from the Mac App Store or apps that appear because they were downloaded with your iPad, then simply deleting that app is all that is needed and you do not need to worry about any other remnants files.

For an app downloaded from a third party source and you see an Installer launch on your Mac, then that most certainly is installing apps in other locations on your computer. These will also require your permission and you will have to enter your computer password. Not all apps downloaded from the internet require an installer and you may simply see a screen that shows you dragging it to the Application folder. These are also safe apps that contain the files normally installed in other locations in the apps bundle, so deleting just the app will also delete those files as well.

That explains the many different conclusions you find on the internet about deleting files and remnant files left behind. While I respect Old Toad tremendously and their Level/Points deserve that respect, I would steer clear from any app cleaner. Many have similar sounding names, but will have completely different outcomes. As stated, even with the suggested App Cleaner, you must still be careful that you do not delete a file that is needed for a different app from the same developer. Their website also includes an ad for MacKeeper that makes it appear like a recommended download or additional app from that company, but it is not. I think Old Toad would agree that MacKeeper should not be downloaded from that website.

Honestly, your Mac does not need any general cleaning, so as long as you are not experiencing any problems, then in most cases it is best to just leave it alone. Once you start looking for files to delete, you may find that you went too far.

Technically all 3 are potentially correct. Depends on device and App in question.

On an iPad deleting Apps removes everything. It leaves nothing behind.

On a Mac, depending on the app and where it came from, it can leave orphan files behind that may or may not take up significant space, again depending on the app.

On a Mac:

Apps from the App Store app, when deleted will be deleted in their entirety and leave nothing behind.

Apps from other sources, may have their own uninstaller that removes parts or all of the app and associated files , or have no uninstaller and require deletion of the app and then manually deleting left over files.

Again, on a Mac, this all depends on the specific app and its source.

In addition to the excellent input above, I offer the following. When deleing files, I use the free app called AppCleaner. When opened it presents a window for you to drag the app into. Then it presents a list of related files with the app's name for you to accept. Then you can tell it to delete everything. It is a very easy to completely delete any app.

I use the free app AppCleaner to remove apps and their supporting files. However, be sure to read the Warning below if you have multiple apps from the same developer.

WARNING: If you use AppCleaner on an app that you have other apps from the same developer, like Adobe, you must be extremely careful checking all checkboxes and deleting.  Some for those files may support other apps from the same developer and deleting them can mess them up.  Adobe apps is a primary example. I know from experience.  For singular apps from a developer it's safe.

Another method is to use the shareware app Find Any File which can help in removing leftover components of apps that have been deleted.  Do the following:  

#1 - boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support. 

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take 2 -3 minutes as it's doing the following:• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

#2 - download and run the shareware app Find Any File to search for any files with the application's or the developer's name in the file name.  For the PhotoTransfer App software you'd do the following search(es): 

1 - Name contains phototransfer

You'll get the following:

Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.

FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  

#3 - reboot normally.

[Edited by Moderator]

Emmett_1944 wrote:

When you said "For an app downloaded from a third party source and you see an Installer launch on your Mac, then that most certainly is installing apps in other locations on your computer." did you mean it is installing other folders/files in other locations. Or are you correct and it is installing other APPS in other locations?

Sorry, I did not mean they are installing "apps" in other locations. More specifically, when downloading an app from a third party source that requires an installer and your computer credentials to complete the install, it is installing "files" in other locations. Usually these locations are:

• /Library/LaunchAgents
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents
• /Library/LaunchDaemons
• ~/Library/Application Support

It is the Launch folders that can degrade performance as they run on startup, although the file size is usually pretty small. The Application Support folder does not run any files on startup, but can contain files that are larger in size. For example, apps from Adobe use the Application Support folder for things like PicArt or other data that can be quite large.

None of the files are removed from those folders by simply dragging the App to the trash, when they use an Installer. It is not unusual for those apps to also include an Uninstaller that will remove those files, but not required. That is why it is recommended to use the Uninstaller when available for apps that were installed in this way.

Yes. The one from the App Store is touted as "AppCleaner-Uninstaller" but when downloaded it is just "AppCleaner" which is the one I use. Don't know how they get away with it copyrights and patents.

Oh, by the way space on hard drives and SSD is not considered memory. It's storage. Memory is the RAM installed in your Mac at the time of purchase and, with Silicon Macs, can't be upgraded. You can see how much RAM you have installed with the  ➙ About This Mac menu option.

AppCleaner is different from AppCleaner-Uninstaller if different than AppCleaner and it doesn't catch all of the supporting files that AppCleaner does:

AppCleaner-Uninstaler:

AppCleaner:

[Edited by Moderator]

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