How to find and list all applications that exist in Mac computer storage?
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In certain situations, you may need to know the number and type of applications installed on a Mac computer. This could be to check for malicious applications that are sometimes bundled with other software, or to list existing apps that might be occupying excessive storage space. If you have recently acquired a Mac, you may wish to know information about existing applications and this guide can help. Furthermore, if you are a keen or enthusiastic user, you can also manually check versions of installed software.
There are a number of ways to check all existing applications on the Mac as detailed here. The methods work with all versions of the Mac operating system. With the guidance offered, you can easily perform the checks. We start with simple methods, and then move to more advanced ones, which should present no problems if you carefully follow the steps within the guide. For example, we start with those requiring the least knowledge with Finder, and then walk through using Terminal and printing results into a text-based file on the desktop.
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Check installed apps via Finder
This is the easiest method, however, it also displays the least results: app names, date/time last modified, and size occupied on internal storage. Simply launch Finder and select the Applications folder from the left sidebar. Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut of Shift, Command, and A. This will display all apps that were added through Mac App Store, came together with the operating system, installed through package managers, and manually attached by users via the drag-and-drop method. All user-level applications are included - enabling list view will allow you to freely scroll through existing apps.
Alternatively, Launchpad also serves to list applications and is one of the easiest way to locate apps for novice users. Note, however, that the Application folder is generally more useful for regular users. Furthermore, this method can be used to generate a list of all existing apps within a text-based file simply using a few keyboard shortcuts. In the applications folder, press the combination of Command and A to select all items within the window. Then press Command and C to copy the selection. Launch the TextEdit application using Spotlight - press the combination of Command and Spacebar, and then type TextEdit. In the text-based window, click on Edit in the menu bar at top of the screen, and then select Paste and Match Style.
You can save and rename this file. The applications folder can help you to determine which apps you might force to close, without crashing the operating system. You can also delete software directly from this folder. Detailed information can be found in this article.
Inspect the applications list through System Information
In you need more detailed information about each app stored on the computer, including system software, a more advanced method is available. This is simply a system report, and so you can use this option without fear of damaging the system, corrupting files, and so on. Therefore, you will not be able to delete or disable applications listed within the System Report. To access the information, hold down the Option (Alt) key on the keyboard and click the Apple logo in the menu bar at top of the screen. Then select System Information. In the new window, click on Applications under Software in the left sidebar. In the main area of window, you will see a list of all existing apps and additional information, such as version, source, where the app was obtained, and date/time of last modification. Clicking individual items in the list will display location in storage, information about the developer, and basic information expressed as a 'Get Info' string. User-level apps are displayed and also those necessary for system functions. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not delete or modify applications from this list, unless you are an advanced user (otherwise this could result in an operating system crash or making your computer inaccessible).
Find all application using Terminal
One of the most efficient methods to find app information is via the built-in command line application called Terminal. This, however, does require some advanced knowledge. Using this app, you can access useful functions, ignoring restrictions and even protected folders. To list all existing applications, you can use the find function, sudo command, which will grant access to all user and system folders. Launch Terminal using Spotlight - press the keyboard shortcut of Command and Spacebar, type Terminal, and then press Return. Alternatively, go to the Utilities folder under Applications. Once the application has launched, type the following command and press return to execute it (you will be asked to enter the administrators password, since you are trying to grant super user permissions):
- sudo find / -iname *.app
Since there are many files using the .app extension within the Mac operating system, displaying all them within a Terminal window might force the app and/or your computer to freeze. Therefore, as an alternative, we recommend that you print the results into a text-based file using the following command:
- sudo find / -iname *.app > ~/Desktop/ListAppFiles.txt
Using this syntax, all files that contain the .app extension will be written into the text-based file stored on the Desktop. You will also be able to find the location of those apps. This is probably the best option if you wish to check storage for possible malicious software - within the text file, you can use the Find function by clicking on Edit in the menu bar at top of the screen and selecting Find.
Video Showing how to list all Apps on Mac
You will find below the steps to Restore Missing Downloads Folder on Mac, in case you have accidentally removed it or the Downloads Folder is missing from the Dock on your Mac for some other reason.
Restore Missing Downloads Folder on Mac
By default, the Downloads Folder should be available in the Dock on your Mac. However, sometimes the Downloads Folder can get accidentally deleted or go missing from the Dock on your Mac for some other reason.
As you will agree, having the Downloads Folder readily available in the Dock on Mac makes it really convenient to access Files, Photos and Songs that you download from the internet.
Hence, we are providing below the steps to Restore Missing Downloads Folder on Mac.
- Related: How to Show and Hide the Dock on Mac
Steps to Restore Missing Downloads Folder on Mac
Follow the steps below to Restore Missing Downloads Folders on Mac, in case you had accidentally or intentionally removed this useful Folder from the Dock on your Mac.
1. Click on the Finder icon located in the extreme left corner of the Dock on your Mac.
How To Find Downloads On Macbook Air
2. Once the Finder Window is open, click on the Go option located in the top menu bar of your Mac and then click on the Home Option in the drop-down menu that appears.
3. In the Home Directory, Locate the Downloads Folder and drag it towards the Dock on your Mac.
Do not release the Downloads Folder, continue dragging it towards the right of the Dock and drop it to the left of the Trash Can icon, located in the extreme right corner of the Dock on your Mac (See image below)
This will bring the Downloads Folder back to its Default position in the Dock, making it easy for you to access downloaded content on your Mac.
Remove Downloads Folder From the Dock on Mac
In case you do not like the idea of having Downloads folder in the Dock, you can easily remove this folder from the Dock.
1. Right-click on the Downloads Folder in the dock to bring up the options menu.
How To Find Downloads On Mac Laptop
2. Once the options menu appears, hover your mouse over Options and then click on Remove From Dock Option in the contextual menu that appears (See image below)
The Downloads Folder will be immediately removed from the Dock and placed in the Home Directory of your user account on Mac.