Developer Tools

How to Completely Uninstall Homebrew on Mac

To uninstall Homebrew completely, use the official uninstall script found in its install repository. Dragging components to the Trash will not remove all associated data or background items.

Last updated: October 31, 20263 min read

Remove Homebrew and everything it leaves behind

Homebrew data usually takes 1 GB – 20 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

Scan your Mac free

Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+

Application: Homebrew
Typical data size: 1 GB – 20 GB
Category: Developer Tools
File Location: ~/Library/Caches/Homebrew

Homebrew has its own uninstaller

Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
Homebrew has an official uninstall script published in its install repository.
Remove the folders Homebrew left behind, listed in the table below.
Empty the Trash to free up the space.

Everything Homebrew keeps on your Mac

4 locations. Tick each one as you remove it; back up anything marked as your data first.

~/Library/Caches/Homebrew Cache · downloaded bottles, source archives and old package versions Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Logs/Homebrew Logs · build logs for formulae built from source Yes, rebuilt automatically/opt/homebrew App data · Homebrew and everything it installed on Apple silicon Macs Yes, once the app is gone/opt/homebrew/Cellar App data · installed formulae on Apple silicon Macs Yes, once the app is gone/opt/homebrew/Caskroom App data · records and files of installed casks on Apple silicon Macs Yes, once the app is gone/opt/homebrew/var App data · data of brew services such as local databases Back up first: your data/usr/local/Homebrew App data · the Homebrew installation on Intel Macs Yes, once the app is gone

Locations are the standard macOS folders Homebrew uses; some appear only after you use the matching feature.

What Homebrew leaves behind

Specific to Homebrew

Manual deletion fails to remove launch agents added to system folders for background services. It also leaves behind cached bottles and source archives in the library, though these are rebuilt automatically. User data for services like PostgreSQL resides within the app prefix and remains until that specific directory is deleted.

Background items: brew services adds launch agents to ~/Library/LaunchAgents for services such as databases.
License: Homebrew is free and open source.

Preparing to remove Homebrew

Before removal, ensure all active services are stopped. Export a list of your installed packages or create a Brewfile to keep a record of your environment. Because some tools store data in /opt/homebrew, failing to back up databases will result in permanent loss when the prefix is deleted.

Dump databases such as PostgreSQL or MySQL to save your dataRun brew bundle dump or brew list to record installed packagesStop all active services using brew services stopRun the official uninstall script instead of deleting folders manually

0 of 4 done

By hand or with OptiClear

	By hand	With OptiClear
Places to check	4 folders, one by one	One scan
File sizes	You look them up yourself	Shown for every item
Removing the wrong thing	Easy to delete the wrong folder	Goes to the Trash first, so it can be restored
Cost	Free	Scan is free; cleaning needs Pro (yearly plan has a 7-day free trial)

See it working

OptiClear — Scan overview — every category on one screen — Scan overview — every category on one screen

OptiClear — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach

OptiClear — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you

Try it without risk

Download and scan for freeSee every Homebrew file and its size. No account needed.
Clean free for 7 daysStart the 7-day free trial of the yearly plan inside the app.
Keep it or cancelCancel in your App Store settings at least 24 hours before the trial ends and you won't be charged.

Download free and scan

After the free trial, Pro costs $39.99 per year in your country's App Store; cancel any time.

Frequently asked questions

Not all of them. Folders marked “Back up first: your data” hold your own Homebrew data: back them up before removing them. Folders marked “Yes, rebuilt automatically” are rebuilt automatically; removing them only makes the next start slower. Items marked “Yes, once the app is gone” only matter while Homebrew is installed, so remove them after the app.

Does brew cleanup uninstall the app?

No, it only removes old versions and cached downloads without uninstalling any package.

How much space can the app occupy?

Its data typically ranges from 1 GB – 20 GB.