Comparisons & alternatives · macOS's own storage tools
Should I move a big app I rarely use, or delete it and reinstall it later?
Short answer: Delete it if reinstalling is quick and you don't need its settings. Otherwise move it (still launches from the drive) or offload it (app and data archived, restored exactly later).
If reinstalling is quick and you don't care about the app's settings, deleting is fine. Moving or offloading is better when getting it back would be a chore — large downloads, licence activations, plug-ins, templates or settings you've built up.
Your options in the Apps window:
- Move — the app lives on the external drive with a link left behind, and launches normally while the drive is connected. Its data stays where it is.
- Offload — the app and its data are archived to the drive and removed from your Mac; Restore puts both back exactly.
- Uninstall — removes the app and its leftovers, recoverably.
The Internal tab can filter by Older than and sort by Last used, which makes finding candidates easy. See Apps.