Where your apps live on a Mac: the Applications folder

Why it happens

On a Mac, each app shows as a single icon in the Applications folder, with everything it needs packed inside that icon. That's why installing an app is usually just dragging it into Applications, and removing it is dragging it to the Trash. Apple's own apps, like Safari and Mail, live there too.

How to fix it

1. Click the Finder icon at the left end of the Dock, the blue and white face, to open a Finder window.

2. Choose Go > Applications from the menu bar, or press Shift-Command-A.

   Finder›Go›Applications

3. Double-click an app to open it. To find one quickly without Finder, press Command-Space, type its name and press Return.

Still not fixed?

1. If Applications is missing from the Finder sidebar, choose Finder > Settings…, click Sidebar and tick Applications.

   Finder›Settings…›Sidebar

2. If an app you just downloaded isn't there, look in your Downloads folder. If it opened as a disk with the app inside, drag the app onto the Applications folder, then eject the disk.

3. Tools like Disk Utility and Activity Monitor are in the Utilities folder inside Applications. Choose Go > Utilities, or press Shift-Command-U.

4. To keep Applications one click away, drag it from the Finder sidebar to the right end of the Dock, next to the Trash.

5. If the Applications folder is empty or Apple's own apps are missing, don't delete anything. Contact Apple Support, as macOS may need reinstalling.