How to uninstall MySQL on macOS

For uninstalling MySQL from Mac completely it’s not enough to remove the app’s icon from the System Settings window. It is crucial to delete MySQL with all of its service files. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to remove MySQL from Mac correctly and entirely.

Contents:

1. What is MySQL, and why remove it?
2. How to uninstall MySQL from Mac manually.
3. How to uninstall MySQL from Mac using App Cleaner & Uninstaller.

How to completely uninstall MySQL on Mac – Video Guide

What is MySQL, and why remove it?

MySQL for Mac is a software tool used for most popular programming languages, like PHP, Java, Perl, C, C ++, and others. In short, it is a database management system (DBMS), which allows you to connect to the database, run SQL queries and receive a response.
You may face some issues with MySQL. In this case, try to reinstall MySQL. The problem should be solved.
If you don’t use MySQL, then you should better uninstall it from your Mac oprating system and don’t allow useless files to take up valuable space on your disk. From this article, you will learn two ways on how to uninstall MySQL from Mac.

Uninstalling MySQL from Mac manually

MySQL is a preference pane that can be found in the System Preferences window. Please, carefully follow each step from the guide below to get rid of all of the support files of MySQL.

Uninstallation steps for MySQL:

1. Open System Preferences. For this, go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences. You can also run it from the Launchpad.
2. Find the MySQL icon and click on it.
3. In the MySQL Instances tab, click the Uninstall button.
   
   Now you need to remove the MySQL database. We will show how to do this using the Terminal command line.
4. Open the Terminal from the Launchpad.

5. Back up your data to text files with the following command:

   mysqldump
   *After each command, you have to press Enter.

6. Check the MySQL service and its processes that are working in the background. For this, use the following command:
   ps -ax | grep mysql
   Close all the running MySQL server processes.
7. Type the command below and press Enter.
   sudo rm /usr/local/mysql
   If required, enter your user password.
   

8. Remove MySQL files. Enter the commands below consistently. After each command you need to press Enter.

   • sudo rm -rf /usr/local/var/mysql
   • sudo rm -rf /usr/local/mysql*
   • sudo rm ~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.mysql.plist
   • sudo rm -rf /Library/StartupItems/MySQLCOM
   • sudo rm -rf /Library/PreferencePanes/My*
9. Edit /etc/hostconfig and remove the line MYSQLCOM=-YES-
10. Remove MySQL preferences:
    • rm -rf ~/Library/PreferencePanes/My*
    • sudo rm -rf /Library/Receipts/mysql*
    • sudo rm -rf /Library/Receipts/MySQL*
    • sudo rm -rf /private/var/db/receipts/*mysql*
11. Reboot your Mac for reliability. Now MySQL should be uninstalled completely

Using the Terminal commands is more for computer geeks, and some users prefer to avoid using it. Luckily, there is another way to uninstall the Mac MySQL server. We will show up how to do this with a few clicks with App Cleaner & Uninstaller’s help.

How to delete MySQL with App Cleaner & Uninstaller

App Cleaner & Uninstaller automatically detects all of the support files that each application creates and stores on Mac. It allows you to remove applications entirely, and you don’t have to search for their support files anymore.

Here is how to uninstall MySQL with App Cleaner & uninstaller:

1. Open App Cleaner & uninstaller. It will scan all the apps you have in the Applications folder.
2. Find the MySQL in the left section and select it.
3. Click the Remove button.
4. Confirm the deletion.

MySQL will be uninstalled from your Mac. By default, all files are removed into the Trash. So don’t forget to empty your bin to get rid of the application completely.

If you have already removed MySQL from the System Preferences window, check your Mac for its remaining files. For this, in App Cleaner & Uninstaller, switch to the Remaining Files section. Here you can select and remove unneeded MySQL’s leftovers.

Note, if you want to uninstall any Preference Pane but don’t see this program in the Applications section, switch to the Extensions tab → Preferences Panes. Here you can remove the System Panes of MySQL.


As you can see, Mac’s uninstalling applications and extensions are done easily and safly with App Cleaner & Uninstaller. You can try it absolutely for free.

App Cleaner & UninstallerUninstall any Mac application in 2 minutes

Update v. 8.4.2 Oct 3, 2024

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