Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstall Homebrew

Step 1: Run the Uninstall Script

Homebrew provides an official uninstall script that removes most of its files and configurations. Open your Terminal and run the following command:

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/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/uninstall.sh)"

This script will prompt you to confirm the uninstallation. Type y and press Enter to proceed.

Step 2: Verify the Uninstallation

After running the uninstall script, check if Homebrew has been successfully removed by running:

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brew --version

If Homebrew is fully uninstalled, you should see a “command not found” error. If you still see the version number, proceed to the next steps.

Step 3: Manually Remove Remaining Files

The uninstall script may leave behind some residual files. To ensure a complete cleanup, manually remove the following directories:

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sudo rm -rf /usr/local/Homebrew
sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin /usr/local/sbin /usr/local/etc /usr/local/share

Note: Be cautious when running these commands, as they will delete all contents in the specified directories.

Step 4: Clean Up Configuration Files

Homebrew may have added paths or environment variables to your shell configuration files. Check and edit the following files to remove any Homebrew-related entries:

  • ~/.bash_profile
  • ~/.zshrc
  • ~/.profile

Open these files in a text editor (e.g., nano ~/.zshrc) and remove lines that reference Homebrew. Look for entries like export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH" or eval $(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv).

Step 5: Remove Cached Files

Homebrew stores cached files that may not be removed by the uninstall script. Run the following command to locate and remove these files:

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rm -rf $(brew --cache)

This command will delete the cache directory used by Homebrew.

Step 6: Final Check

To ensure that no Homebrew files remain on your system, use the find command to search for any leftover files:

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find / -name '*brew*' -print

If you find any remaining files, you can manually delete them using the rm command.

Additional Tips

  1. Remove Brew Services: If you have used Homebrew services, stop and remove them using:

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    brew services list
    brew services stop --all

  2. Check for Old Versions: If you have multiple versions of Homebrew installed, ensure you remove all of them.

  3. Use Third-Party Tools: If you prefer a GUI-based approach, tools like PowerMyMac can help remove Homebrew and its associated files.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Homebrew from your macOS system is a straightforward process that involves running the official uninstall script and manually cleaning up residual files. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a complete removal of Homebrew and its associated files. This will leave your system free of unnecessary files and ready for a fresh start.