How to uninstall a Homebrew package

Homebrew uninstall removes a formula or cask from the active Homebrew prefix when a command-line tool, library, desktop app, or font no longer belongs on the machine. The package can leave behind dependents, cache files, or cask support files, so the removal needs a narrow target and a separate verification check.

Formulae and casks use the same brew uninstall command, but the package type matters when a token could refer to more than one item. Use --formula for command-line formulae and --cask for casks so Homebrew does not resolve the name differently than intended.

Uninstalling a package does not mean every related file disappears. Shared dependencies can stay installed, brew cleanup handles old downloads and stale versions, and brew uninstall --zap is only for casks when associated support files should also be removed.

Steps to uninstall a Homebrew package:

Check the installed package and package type.
```
$ brew list --formula --versions hello
hello 2.12.3
```
The uninstall command removes the target from the active Homebrew prefix. Close apps or stop services that use it first, and avoid --ignore-dependencies unless broken dependents are already accepted. Use brew list --cask --versions visual-studio-code for a cask token.
Uninstall the package with the type made explicit.
```
$ brew uninstall --formula hello
Uninstalling /home/linuxbrew/.linuxbrew/Cellar/hello/2.12.3... (58 files, 809.0KB)
```
Use --cask instead of --formula for casks. Add --zap only when a cask's associated support files should also be removed; Homebrew warns that zap can remove files shared between applications.
Confirm that Homebrew no longer lists the package.
```
$ brew list --formula --versions hello
```
No output means Homebrew no longer has that formula installed. Use the matching --cask form for casks.
Related: How to list installed Homebrew packages
Confirm that the expected command or app artifact is gone.
```
$ command -v hello
```
No output means the shell cannot find the hello command in PATH. For casks, check the app bundle, font, plugin, or artifact path shown by brew info --cask before uninstalling.
Related: How to check Homebrew package information
Preview unused dependency formulae left after removal.
```
$ brew autoremove --dry-run
```
No output means Homebrew found no dependency-only formulae to autoremove. Review any listed formulae before running brew autoremove, because that command uninstalls packages from the active prefix.
Related: How to remove unused Homebrew dependencies
Related: How to clean Homebrew cache and old versions

Author: Mohd Shakir Zakaria
Mohd Shakir Zakaria is a cloud architect with deep roots in software development and open-source advocacy. Certified in AWS, Red Hat, VMware, ITIL, and Linux, he specializes in designing and managing robust cloud and on-premises infrastructures.