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How to uninstall MySQL Workbench on a Mac

Remove MySQL Workbench and its saved connections folder. It is separate from the MySQL server, which stays installed until you remove it too.

3 min read

How do I uninstall MySQL Workbench on a Mac?

  1. Quit MySQL Workbench and move it from Applications to the Trash. Ours, 8.0.44 Community, was 233 MB.
  2. Move ~/Library/Application Support/MySQL to the Trash (788 KB here): connections, snippets and logs.
  3. Remove ~/Library/Preferences/com.oracle.workbench.MySQLWorkbench.plist.

Does removing Workbench remove MySQL?

No. Workbench is only a client. On our Mac the MySQL server, from Homebrew, was running the whole time and was untouched. To remove it, see uninstall MySQL.

Why does MySQL Workbench crash on launch?

Often a damaged settings file in the folder above. Move ~/Library/Application Support/MySQL/Workbench to the desktop, open Workbench, and see if it starts; if it does, the old folder was the cause.

Common questions

How do I uninstall MySQL Workbench on Mac?

Move it to the Trash, then remove ~/Library/Application Support/MySQL and its preferences plist.

Does uninstalling MySQL Workbench remove the MySQL server?

No. The server is a separate install.

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