PostgreSQL with sudo rm on macOS

Terminal output of sudo rm -rf /Library/PostgreSQL showing Operation not permitted for folders such as Preferences, Mail and Containers inside /Library/PostgreSQL/17/Library.

sudo rm -rf /Library/PostgreSQL failed with Operation not permitted on macOS. The cause was privacy protection, not file permissions, and the fix is to give Terminal Full Disk Access for a moment.

November 11, 2026 0

How to Completely Uninstall PostgreSQL from macOS (EDB Installer and Homebrew)

The PostgreSQL uninstaller window titled Uninstallation mode, with Entire application selected instead of Individual components.

The PostgreSQL uninstaller leaves your databases, a hidden postgres user and pgAdmin settings behind. This guide removes everything from macOS, including old Homebrew services, and proves nothing is left.