How to Manually Uninstall MAMP from macOS

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

MAMPUninstallationmacOSManualRemovalCleanupApplicationConfigurationDevelopmentEnvironment

When it comes to managing web development on your macOS device, MAMP (Macintosh, Apache, MySQL, PHP) is a popular choice. It allows developers to create web applications relatively easily. However, there may come a time when you want to uninstall MAMP from your system, perhaps due to lack of use, installation of an updated version, or simply to free up space on your computer. In this detailed guide, we will explain the steps required to manually remove MAMP from macOS.

Understanding MAMP

Before we dive into the instructions for uninstalling MAMP, let's first understand what it is. MAMP is a free, local server environment that can be installed under macOS. MAMP is a convenient tool for developers because it allows them to create a local server environment on their machines, with the power of Apache software as a web server, MySQL as a database system, and PHP as a programming language.

However, there may be many reasons why someone would want to uninstall MAMP. Perhaps you are done with your projects, you are moving to another software package, or you simply need to free up the space it takes up. Below is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to assist you with the entire uninstallation process.

Steps to manually uninstall MAMP

Step 1: Stop MAMP services

Before uninstalling MAMP, it is mandatory to stop any services that are running. This ensures that no dependencies remain actively attached during the uninstallation process.

1. Open MAMP.
2. In the main window, you will see buttons indicating which services are running (Apache and MySQL).
3. Click "Stop Server" to stop all MAMP operations.

This step ensures the integrity of the data and the ease of deleting the linked configuration later.

Step 2: Move MAMP to the Trash

Now, let’s focus on removing the primary MAMP application from your device.

1. Go to the Applications folder on your macOS device by opening Finder and selecting Applications from the sidebar.
2. Locate the MAMP folder within the Applications directory.
3. Drag the entire MAMP folder to the Trash. Alternatively, you can right-click the folder and select "Move to Trash" from the context menu.

Note: If you are using MAMP Pro, you should also remove that application by following the steps mentioned above.

Step 3: Delete MAMP files from Application Support

In addition to the executable application, MAMP installs additional supporting files. These are typically stored in the Application Support subdirectory of your Library. Here's how to find and remove them:

1. In Finder, click Go on the menu bar. Hold down the option (alt) key to access the hidden Library option in the dropdown menu. Click Library.
2. In the ~/Library directory, find Application Support folder.
3. Search for folders related to MAMP, such as MAMP folder or any other related folder name.
4. Move any identified MAMP-related folders to the trash.

Application support files are usually small, but if left uninstalled, they can clutter your drive or cause conflicts if a different configuration of MAMP is later installed.

Step 4: Delete MAMP preferences

Like many macOS applications, MAMP stores its preferences as .plist files. Here's how you can delete these preferences:

1. While in the same Library folder, locate Preferences folder.
2. Look for files that start with de.appsolute.mamp or something similar.
3. Drag these files to the Trash.

It is important to remove these preferences, to avoid any potential conflicts in the future when using applications that may reuse the same configuration.

Step 5: Delete the MAMP-created database

If you have actively used MAMP, there is a high probability that you have databases created using MySQL. Deleting these will reclaim space and ensure that no other software inadvertently accesses your previous projects.

1. Open Finder, and press Command+Shift+G, which will open the 'Go to Folder...' dialog.
2. Enter the path: /Library/Application Support/appsolute/MAMP and press Enter.
3. This will take you to the directory containing the MySQL data generated by MAMP.
4. Search for directories with the name db or similarly named and move them to the trash.

Make sure to create a backup if necessary before complete deletion to avoid any irreversible damage.

Step 6: Clear the Trash

Even though we moved many files and directories to the trash, they still exist on your computer. Emptying the trash ensures complete deletion.

1. Right-click the Trash icon in your Dock.
2. Select Empty Trash from the context menu.
3. Depending on your settings, you may need to confirm your decision.

This task finalizes the process of removing MAMP from your system.

Verifying uninstallation

Once you have completed the steps mentioned above, it would be a good idea to verify that MAMP has been completely removed.

1. Use Finder's search functionality to look for any possible remaining files or directories by typing MAMP.
2. Check System Preferences to make sure there are no startup items or settings left that relate to MAMP.

If no results are found, MAMP has been successfully uninstalled.

Conclusion

In conclusion, manually uninstalling MAMP from macOS involves a detailed step-by-step process, which includes stopping services, deleting the application, clearing application support files, deleting preferences, deleting databases, emptying the trash, and finally, confirming the completion of the removal. Following these steps can help you cleanly remove MAMP from your system, ensuring that no residual configuration is left to impact future software or system performance. Manual, thorough uninstallation ensures that disruptions are minimized, transparency is achieved, and space is saved in your computing ecosystem.

If, at any time, you want to reinstall MAMP on your system, the next simple step would be to download the package from the official website and reinstall it.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update