How do I delete 32-bit applications from Macintosh HD/Applications? Their file icons display a grey circle-slash "no" symbol, they don't appear in Launchpad, and dragging to Trash does nothing.
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.2
Boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support and see if you can delete them from there. Then reboot normally.
NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 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
while in your application folder, can you "control+click" the app and get the "move to trash" option in the popup?
The Applications folder in Big Sur is on the Macintosh HD Volume which is set as Read Only, you cannot edit or
delete items on this Volume.
You could try the App cleaner app but I am not sure it will work.
connect another mac to your Big Sur mac and use the connected mac to delete the apps.
Which apps do you want to delete.
hi Eau Rouge,
FWIW, when i read your post, what you say seems correct. however, it also caused me to test this out. if it's an app that comes as part of macOS, they cannot be deleted. however, i control clicked a 3rd party app (in application folder) that wasn't a part of macOS it did allow me to move it to the trash. i can't check if that will work on now dead 32 bit apps as i have none on my machine. but as they are no longer needed by the system, should they not be removable?
Hello Tim.Leonard,
It sounds like you want to delete some apps on your Mac, and you're running into an issue, correct? We'd like to see how we can help.
In case you haven't seen it already, this page has some great information on how to delete apps: How to delete apps on your Mac
For information on how to uninstall apps from the internet or a disc on your Mac, please see this link: Install and uninstall apps from the internet or disc on Mac
"The app is permanently removed from your Mac the next time you or the Finder empties the Trash. If you have files that you created with the app, you may not be able to open them again. If you decide you want to keep the app, get it back before emptying the Trash—select the app in the Trash, then choose File > Put Back."
We hope that helps. Take care!
Control-Click on the apps gives me a menu, but Move to Trash is not on the menu.
The apps are: H&R Block 2011 through H&R Block 2017, Microsoft Office 2008, Quicken 2007, iDVD, iMovie 6, iMovie 7, and iWeb.
I booted into Safe Mode, and it made no difference. The apps' file icons display a grey circle-slash "no" symbol, dragging to Trash does nothing, and Control Click shows a menu that does not include Move to Trash.
No, that's no help. As I said in the original post, the apps don't appear in Launchpad, and dragging them to Trash does nothing.
How do I delete a 32-bit application that won't move to Trash?
