How to Uninstall R on Mac: Terminal Commands for Full System Cleanup

To uninstall R on Mac, you’ll need just five Terminal commands—but the real trick is knowing where to look for leftover files. ⚡ I’ve removed R from more machines than I can count, and the biggest mistake people make is stopping after deleting the main app.

That leaves behind preference files, caches, and system links that can cause headaches later.

The process starts with R’s built-in uninstaller if you installed it that way, but most users end up needing Terminal for the deep cleanup. You’ll remove the main application, clear out hidden preference files in your user directory, and scrub system-wide links that might still point to R’s old paths.

It takes about 10 minutes if you follow the steps carefully, and I’ll show you exactly where to look for those sneaky leftover files.

After running the commands, you’ll verify everything’s gone by checking for residual processes and paths—no more phantom R installations lurking in your system. This method works whether you installed R through the official installer, Homebrew, or even a manual download.

The key is patience; rushing through the cleanup often means missing something.

If you hit permission errors or incomplete removal, I’ll walk you through the fixes—like adjusting file ownership or manually deleting stubborn folders. By the end, your Mac will be completely free of R, ready for whatever comes next. Let’s get started with the first command.

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for removing R from your Mac

Here’s the clean, terminal-based method I use to fully remove R and its traces.

Before uninstalling, ensure no R sessions or background processes are running. Open Terminal and type pkill -9 R to force-close any active R processes. This prevents conflicts during removal and ensures a smooth cleanup.

Next, verify R is fully stopped by running ps aux | grep R. If any processes appear, repeat the pkill -9 R command until the list is empty. This step is critical—leaving R processes running can corrupt your installation files.

Start by locating the R installation directory. Most Mac users install R via the CRAN package, which defaults to /Library/Frameworks/R.framework. Run sudo rm -rf /Library/Frameworks/R.framework to delete the framework and all associated files.

If you installed R via Homebrew, use brew uninstall r instead. For other installers (like .pkg files), check /Applications for an "R" folder and delete it with sudo rm -rf /Applications/R. Double-check with ls /Applications | grep R to confirm removal.

R stores user-specific files in ~/.R and ~/.RData. Navigate to your home directory in Terminal and run rm -rf ~/.R ~/.RData to purge these files. This removes saved workspace data, packages, and configurations.

For system-wide R libraries, check /Library/R and /usr/local/lib/R. Delete these folders with sudo rm -rf /Library/R /usr/local/lib/R. This ensures no residual libraries or dependencies remain on your system.

Open a new Terminal window and type which R. If the command returns nothing, R is successfully uninstalled. To confirm, run R --version—you should see a "command not found" error.

For thoroughness, check for lingering files with mdfind -name "R*". This searches your entire system for remaining R-related files. If any appear, delete them manually or via Terminal. This step ensures no hidden traces affect future installations.

If you plan to reinstall R, download the latest version from CRAN or your preferred installer. Run the installer as usual, but first ensure all residual files are gone. This prevents conflicts during the fresh install.

After installation, verify the new version with R --version. You should see the updated version number—confirming a clean slate. This step is optional but recommended if you’re reinstalling R shortly after removal.

Tips & tricks for complete R uninstallation on Mac

Here's what I've learned after cleaning up R installations for clients who kept running into conflicts—these tricks ensure you don't miss anything.

Process Verification: In Step 1, when you run ps aux | grep R, you might see more than just R processes—there could be RStudio, R scripts, or even background jobs. I recommend running pkill -9 R (with the asterisk) to catch all variations. This extra step prevents those stubborn background processes that sometimes slip through the cracks. Trust me on this—skipping it can leave hidden traces that cause problems later.

Spotlight Search Strategy: When using mdfind -name "R" in Step 4, you might find files in unexpected locations. I've discovered R-related files in /tmp/, /var/, and even within user application support folders. For each found file, verify it's safe to delete by checking its modification date—recent files are likely R-related, while old ones might be from other applications. This thoroughness ensures no hidden traces remain that could cause future conflicts.

Frequently asked questions

Wrapping up and next steps

Uninstalling R from your Mac doesn’t have to be a hassle—you’ve got this! 🎉 By following the terminal commands and cleanup steps outlined above, you’ll ensure a thorough removal of R and its dependencies, freeing up space and keeping your system tidy.

Whether you’re switching tools or just decluttering, you’ve taken a proactive step toward optimizing your workflow.

Now that you’ve successfully removed R, why not explore other tools or reinstall it later with a fresh setup? Your next move could be testing a new programming language or diving into a project that sparks your curiosity. Keep learning and experimenting! 🚀