Compared with macOS

Uninstalling an app versus dragging it to the Trash

Dragging an app to the Trash removes the app but usually leaves its support files behind. Storage Studio's Uninstall finds those leftovers, shows them, and removes them recoverably.

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On a Mac, the usual way to remove an app is to drag it to the Trash. That removes the app itself. Storage Studio's Uninstall goes one step further and offers to remove the files the app left around your Mac, too.

What dragging to the Trash does

Dragging an app from Applications to the Trash removes the app. Its supporting files — settings, caches, saved window positions, sandbox data and so on — stay in your Library folder, because macOS can't be sure you won't reinstall the app later. Some apps come with their own uninstaller for this reason.

What Storage Studio's Uninstall adds

Uninstall is in the Apps window, for apps on your Mac (Internal) and apps you've moved (Moved). Before anything happens, it shows a list:

  • the app itself, which is always included;
  • each leftover it found, with its size — such as Cached data, Saved preferences, Sandbox container, Saved window state, Log files, Website data, Cookies and Background launch item.

Untick any leftover you want to keep. Only items that clearly belong to that app are offered. If the app is open, it's quit first. Everything is then removed recoverably — to the Recycle Vault, or to the Trash — so you can change your mind. Apps installed by an installer may need your administrator password. For a moved app, the shortcut left in Applications is removed too.

Two ways to remove an app

Using both

For an app you might reinstall soon, dragging it to the Trash is fine — its settings will be waiting. For an app you're done with, Uninstall gets the space back from its leftovers as well. If you might want it again one day, consider offloading it instead.

See also: Uninstalling an app completely · The Apps window

appscomparisonfree up space

What's the best app to free up space on a Mac?
If you want space back without losing files, the best approach is "move, don't delete." Storage Studio relocates big apps and folders to an external drive (with a shortcut left in place so they still open), reclaims space macOS is holding in old snapshots, and keeps cloud files online-only — all…
How do I free up space on my Mac?
Empty the Trash, clear app caches, remove old downloads, and move large apps and folders you rarely use to an external drive. Storage Studio does all of this in one tap with Tuhi — it clears caches and rarely-used files, reclaims old local backups, and keeps cloud files online-only, previewed…
How do I get more storage on my Mac without deleting my files?
Pair your Mac with an external SSD and offload what you don't need on the startup disk. Storage Studio moves large apps, folders, and media to the external drive and leaves a shortcut in the original spot, so you reclaim space while keeping every file — nothing is deleted.
Is it safe to clear the cache on a Mac?
Yes — app caches rebuild automatically, so clearing them safely reclaims space; the only risk is deleting the wrong thing by hand. Storage Studio clears only known-safe caches and rarely-used files, shows a preview first, and never touches your personal files without asking.

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