Where Is Applications Folder on Mac?

December 07, 2022

In this article you will find the following:

Apple-supplied software and third-party programs are usually kept in the Applications folder on your Mac. If you dislike Launchpad (since it doesn’t allow you to remove some programs off it), the Apps folder on a Mac is a fantastic option for launching, uninstalling, and reorganizing applications.

The Application folder is most likely one of the most often used locations on your Mac. Beginner Mac users may need help identifying the folder. The Applications folder on a Mac computer can be found and opened via various techniques. Let's have a look at them right now.

Before we begin

If you see many files vanishing from your Mac and are convinced you didn’t remove them, you may have malware on your machine. Malware comes in various forms, and you can acquire malware on a Mac like you can get malware on a Windows PC.

Download MacKeeper Smart Uninstaller to scan your Apple computer professionally. This scan won’t only disclose whether or not your Mac is infected with malware, but it’ll also allow you to free up excess storage space on your computer by deleting junk files that keep it from running correctly.

Ways to find the Mac applications folder

In most circumstances, you may find the Applications folder by browsing your Macintosh computer's hard drive. Any user on your Mac has access to the Applications folder. A user's Home folder, which houses the user's papers, downloads, and other data, also includes an app folder. Each user has access to this folder.

Now that you know where the Applications folder generally is, here are a few ways on how to find applications on Mac.

Finder

The Finder application is the most popular way of accessing the Applications folder.

Here is what to do to access the Application folder via Finder:

Launch the Finder application from the dock of your Mac.

2. In the left sidebar, click Applications to view it.

Alternatively, you can use the Shift-Ctrl-A shortcut to access the folder in the Finder. Simply press these keys together to use them.

Spotlight

The quickest way to open the Applications folder in macOS is to use Spotlight Search.

Here is how to find the applications folder using Spotlight:

Launch Spotlight (click the magnifying glass icon or press Ctrl+Space)

2. Type Applications

3. From the list of results provided by the search, select Applications.

Searching for Applications in Spotlight.

Alternatively, you can use the Shift-Ctrl-A shortcut to access the folder in the Finder. Simply press these keys together to use them.

Siri Search

Siri search is an easy way to access the Applications folder. You just have to give Siri the command.

Here is how to use Siri search to find the applications folder on Mac:

Open Siri by clicking the only colored icon on the Menu bar or holding Ctrl+Space

2. Say Open the Applications Folder, and Siri will automatically open it.

The Go menu

You can also use the menu bar on your Mac to access the Applications folder.

Here is how to use the Go menu to find your Mac applications folder:

Select Go from the menu bar

2. In the dropdown menu, select Applications.

Once you click on Applications, the Applications folder will open.

Launchpad

Launchpad, a distinct graphical interface, duplicates all your Mac programs in the Applications folder.

Here is how to access the Applications folder through the Launchpad:

Go to the Launchpad icon in the dock. It's a silver circle with a black rocket inside

2. It'll open the Applications folder. Choose the application you want to run.

There are other methods to open the launchpad. They include:

Pinch your thumb and three fingers together to open Launchpad on a Mac with a trackpad
Use the F4 keyboard shortcut for Spotlight to search for Launchpad.

MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller

This software will first display all of your applications, plugins, and browser extensions in one place, after which you can select which ones to uninstall to free up memory on your laptop and improve overall device efficiency.

This is how to access your Applications folder using MacKeper’s Smart Uninstaller:

Click on the MacKeeper icon on the top right of the menu bar

2. Once you open the application, select Smart Uninstaller

3. Click Start Scan to see the list of applications on your Mac

4. Within the Smart Uninstaller, select Applications

5. Then select the checkbox next to the application you want to uninstall. Ensure that you first learn how to uninstall apps on Mac

6. Click Remove Selected once you have selected the checkbox

7. Confirm the removal by clicking Remove on the dialogue box.

Once you do this, the selected application will be removed from your Mac.

Other tips that might help you

Finding your Applications folder is relatively simple if you follow any of the six steps you have read above. However, there are times when even after following these steps, you still can't find the applications folder on your Mac. Here are two tips that will help you solve this.

Restore a missing Applications folder easily

If you cannot find your applications folder, it means that MacOS may have hidden it. Follow these instructions to make it appear in the Finder's sidebar.

So here is how to restore a missing applications folder easily:

Launch Finder by selecting the Finder option from the top-level menu

2. Select Preferences in the sidebar displayed

3. Click on the check box next to Applications to restore it.

After making sure that the Applications column is checked, you’ll now be able to access the Applications folder in the Finder app.

Add the Applications folder to the Dock

If, on the other hand, you want to open the Applications folder directly from the dock, follow these steps:

Click Finder on the Dock to open it

2. On the sidebar, locate the Applications column and right-click it

3. Select Add to Dock from the context menu, then click it.

The Applications icon will be added to the Dock, and you’ll be able to navigate to the Applications folder whenever you want from now on.

Would you like to increase your Mac’s overall performance?

Now that you know where the applications folder is on your Mac and how to find it, you might want to know how to improve the overall performance of your Mac. You can easily do this by doing one of the following: