While PostgreSQL is a useful piece of software, you might no longer need to use it because you’ve picked an alternative. However, it’s also possible that the app isn’t working for whatever reason; uninstalling and reinstalling programs that aren’t acting as they should often make it easier to solve the issue.
NOTE: If you’re having problems with apps on your device, you can often remove them via Finder. However, if Finder itself isn’t working, you could have problems performing your desired actions. This guide on what to do if Finder isn’t responding on your Mac should help you achieve your goals.
How to Uninstall PostgreSQL on Your Mac
Regardless of your reasons for wanting to uninstall PostgreSQL on your Mac, the process is identical. First, you’ll need to delete the app. And after doing that, you should delete your user account. In the sections below, you’ll learn how to do both.
- Use the Terminal App
One of the main ways to uninstall PostgreSQL on your device is via the Terminal app. You’ll have to enter a couple of different commands, and I’ll show you the entire process from start to finish below.
- Go to Spotlight by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the top right-hand corner of your Mac toolbar.
- When the pop-up search window appears, type Terminal. You don’t need to hit the Return key; the results should automatically appear within a few seconds.
- Select the Terminal app when it shows up — you should see it as the top result.
- When the Terminal app opens, type
open /Library/PostgreSQL/version number/uninstallpostgresql.app. If that doesn’t work, trysudo /Library/PostgreSQL/version number/uninstall-postgresql.app/Contents/MacOS/installbuilder.sh. - Hit the Return key, enter your password, and follow the uninstallation instructions on your screen.
- Delete Your User Account
After removing PostgreSQL, you should also delete your user account to free up space on your device. Note that you can only do this for accounts that you aren’t signed into; if you need to delete the main account on your Mac, you should make a new one first.
Here’s how to delete your user account:
- Tap the Apple icon in the top left-hand corner. Then, select System Settings when the drop-down menu appears.
- Go to Users & Groups in the toolbar on the left.
- Find your account and select the information icon (i).
- When the next pop-up window appears, click on Delete User.
- Another pop-up window will then show up on your Mac. When it does, choose whether you want to save any user settings and then press Delete User again.
NOTE: Sometimes, you’ll have to delete other PostgreSQL files and folders on your device. You can do this by going to Terminal and typing sudo rm -rf /Library/PostgreSQ — after doing that, hit Return and type in your password.
What to Do if PostgreSQL Won’t Uninstall
If you’ve done everything listed above but you haven’t been able to completely get rid of PostgreSQL, you can try a few more things to solve the issue. From restarting your computer to restoring it to a previous version, here are four things to attempt.
- Restart Your Mac and Try Again
The easiest place to start is by rebooting your Mac and then trying to uninstall PostgreSQL again, along with deleting your account.
