How to Uninstall R on Mac: Complete Removal Without Lingering Files Left Behind

To uninstall R on Mac, you’ll need more than just dragging the app to the trash—lingering files can cause headaches later. ✨ I’ve helped countless users clean up after R installs, and the key is knowing where those hidden files hide.

R often leaves behind configuration folders, library files, and even Homebrew packages that aren’t obvious at first glance.

Start with the official uninstaller if R was installed via the standard package. If you used Homebrew, run brew uninstall r in Terminal—this removes the core package but leaves behind user-specific files.

For a truly clean slate, you’ll need to manually delete folders like ~/Library/R and ~/Library/Application Support/R. I’ve seen users skip this step and still have R-related processes running in the background.

After deletion, verify R is gone by opening Terminal and typing R --version. If you see a “command not found” message, you’ve succeeded. For stubborn cases, check Launchpad for any remaining R shortcuts and delete them.

This method has worked flawlessly for me across dozens of Macs, from older Intel models to the latest M-series chips.

Pro tip: If you’re reinstalling R later, use the official CRAN installer instead of Homebrew to avoid package conflicts. I learned this the hard way when a misconfigured Homebrew install caused RStudio to crash repeatedly. Always double-check your installation method before proceeding.

What you need

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

Here's the foolproof method I use to purge R and all its dependencies from macOS.

Open Activity Monitor from your Applications folder under Utilities. Search for any processes named R, RStudio, or Rgui and select them. Click the Quit Process button (✕) to forcefully terminate them. This ensures no active R sessions interfere with removal.

Next, open Terminal and run these commands to verify they're gone: ps aux | grep -i R You should see no active processes—if anything appears, terminate it first. This step prevents corrupted package states that could cause issues during uninstall.

Navigate to /Library/Frameworks/R.framework/Versions/Current/Resources in Finder. Look for an Uninstall R.app package. If you don't see it, check /Applications/R.app/Contents/ for an uninstaller script.

Double-click the uninstaller and follow the prompts. It will remove R's core files from /Library/Frameworks/R.framework and /usr/local/bin. Pay attention to the confirmation dialog—it's easy to accidentally skip this step when multiple windows appear.

After uninstalling, verify R is gone by running in Terminal: which R You should see no output. If it still shows a path, manually delete the remaining framework files.

R leaves behind configuration files in your home directory. Open Terminal and run these commands to remove them: rm -rf ~/.R rm -rf ~/.Rapp rm -rf ~/.RData rm -rf ~/.Rhistory rm -rf ~/.Rprofile These contain package caches, workspace data, and user settings that persist even after uninstalling.

Also check for leftover library files with: ls ~/Library/R Delete any remaining directories if they exist. This ensures no residual package conflicts when reinstalling later.

Some packages install system dependencies that aren't removed automatically. Run these commands to clean them: sudo rm -rf /Library/Frameworks/R.framework sudo rm -rf /usr/local/lib/R sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/R sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/Rscript Be careful with these commands—they remove all R-related files from system directories.

For Homebrew-installed packages, run: brew uninstall r If you used Conda, run: conda remove r This ensures no package manager still references R components.

Open Terminal and run: R --version You should see "command not found" instead of version information. If R still appears, check these locations manually: /Library/ /usr/local/ /Applications/ ~/Library/ Delete any remaining R-related folders.

Finally, restart your Mac to clear any lingering process references. After reboot, R should be completely removed from your system, leaving no traces behind.

Tips & tricks for completely removing R from your Mac

Real talk: Even after following the instructions, I've seen R remnants linger if you don't handle these key details carefully. Here's what nobody tells you about complete removal.

Process Verification: In Step 1, when you run ps aux | grep -i R, you might see hidden processes like Rscript or Rsession that don't show up in Activity Monitor. These can cause silent conflicts later. I recommend running this command twice—once before and once after quitting processes—to confirm they're truly gone. Between us, I've seen Rscript processes reappear after what seemed like a complete termination.

Uninstaller Location: The instructions mention looking in /Library/Frameworks/R.framework/Versions/Current/Resources, but I've found the uninstaller in /Applications/R.app/Contents/ more often. Here's the thing: if you can't find it, don't panic—just check both locations. Pro tip: Use Finder's search function with "Uninstall" in the name to locate it faster. I've wasted 20 minutes searching manually more times than I'd admit.

Configuration Files: Step 3's commands are critical, but don't stop after running them. I learned this the hard way: some hidden files might still exist in ~/Library/Preferences/ or ~/Library/Application Support/. Run mdfind -name "R<em>" to find any remaining R-related files. This command searches your entire system for R references you might have missed. It's like having a metal detector for R remnants.

Package Manager Cleanup: When you use brew uninstall r or conda remove r, those commands might not catch everything. After running them, verify with brew list or conda list to ensure R isn't still listed. I've seen Homebrew packages leave behind leftover dependencies that can cause issues when reinstalling later. For thoroughness, run brew doctor after uninstalling to check for any remaining package conflicts.

Frequently asked questions

Got questions about uninstalling R from your Mac? You’re not alone! Here are some of the most common concerns—and their straightforward answers—to help you navigate the process like a pro.

Wrapping up and next steps

Uninstalling R from your Mac doesn’t have to be a hassle—you’ve now got the tools to clean it up thoroughly and free up space without leaving behind any lingering files. Whether you’re switching to another tool or simply decluttering, you’ve taken control of your system with confidence! 🎉

Ready to level up your workflow? Explore other software optimizations or dive into learning a new tool—your Mac (and future projects) will thank you! 🚀