To find unused apps on a Mac, open the Applications folder in Finder and switch to list view. Add the Date Last Opened column, then sort by it. Apps you have not opened in a long time are good candidates to remove.
Quick steps
- Open Applications in Finder.
- Switch to list view.
- Right-click a column heading and add Date Last Opened.
- Sort by that column.
- Move the apps you no longer need to the Trash.
Step 1: Switch to list view
Click the list icon at the top of the Finder window. You can also press Command and 2. List view shows more details for each app.
Step 2: Add the date column
- Right-click any column heading, such as Name.
- Choose Date Last Opened from the list.
If you do not see it, open the View menu and choose Show View Options, then turn on the date column there.
One-time purchase. Works on macOS 15 or later, on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
Step 3: Sort and review
Click the Date Last Opened heading to sort. Apps at the bottom have not been opened for the longest time. Check each one you do not recognize or no longer use.
Some apps are used only now and then, such as tax software or backup tools. Look at the app before you remove it, and keep anything you still need.
Step 4: Remove what you do not use
Select the app and press Command and Delete. You can also use Uninstallzy, which lists apps with their sizes and moves the app you choose to the Trash after one confirmation.
Warning: Some apps may show an old date even when you use them. Check before you remove an app you rely on.
Frequently asked questions
Does this show every app?
It shows the apps in your Applications folder. Apps installed somewhere else may not appear.
Can I get an app back after I remove it?
Yes, if you have not emptied the Trash. Otherwise, you can download the app again.
Why should I check the size too?
Large apps you do not use free up the most space. Sort by size in Uninstallzy to find them.
Want one simple step instead?
Uninstallzy shows every app with its size. Pick the app, confirm once, and it goes to the Trash.
One-time purchase. Works on macOS 15 or later, on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.