Find Leftover Files After Uninstalling an App

One find command sweeps ~/Library for the caches, preferences, and support folders a deleted app left behind.

macOScleanupFilesapplicationsLow risk

Run `find ~/Library -maxdepth 3 -iname "*AppName*" 2>/dev/null`, review the list, then delete only clearly matching folders.

01Command

Command

$ find ~/Library -maxdepth 3 -iname "*AppName*" 2>/dev/null

02What it does

Deleting an app removes the bundle, but its preferences (~/Library/Preferences), caches (~/Library/Caches), and containers (~/Library/Containers) survive — usually a few MB, occasionally gigabytes for media apps. -iname matches case variations and -maxdepth 3 keeps the scan fast while still reaching the main Library subfolders. Check the results before deleting: system frameworks and unrelated apps can share generic names like 'Finder' or 'Core'. Deleting the wrong folder can reset settings for a different app.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

RequirementsDragging an app to Trash leaves these files; delete only folders whose names clearly match the app.

!Warning: Do not delete Library folders unless the name clearly matches the uninstalled app.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

find — walk a file hierarchy (macOS man page)
SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Documents -iname case-insensitive name matching and -maxdepth to limit how deep find descends.
Delete or uninstall apps on Mac — Apple Support
Apple · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Apple notes that deleting an app does not remove its additional files; these live in Library folders.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: System & Settings