How to uninstall Node.js on a Mac

Say goodbye to Node.js and start over? Or do you have a problem needing to uninstall and reinstall it? Maybe you have even tried uninstalling Node.js on your Mac, but it failed. If these situations make you nod and agree, then this article is for you.

We will cover a variety of ways to uninstall Node.js on your Mac so that you can find the right solution for you.

What is Node.js?

Once upon a time, JavaScript could only run in the browser. With Node.js, developers can run JavaScript outside of the browser. Node.js is an open environment that allows you to run JavaScript on your own Mac and reach its full potential.

At the same time, JavaScript is a programming language that handles all interactions of a website. To bring web pages to life, JavaScript uses animation elements such as graphics and slideshows. With platforms like Node.js, it can go beyond traditional boundaries for more advanced and versatile purposes such as game development. They work perfectly and provide the ideal space for web developers to take advantage of JavaScript.

The best part about Node.js is that it works across platforms, which means it can run on almost any operating system you can think of—macOS, Windows, Linux, and more. It is better than other programming languages ​​and environments that are limited to specific systems. Since developers don't have to write code over and over, it saves them time and effort and runs smoothly no matter what the user's operating system is.

Due to the existence of Node.js, the consistency of the web development process has been greatly improved, as it also allows developers to use the same language (in this case JavaScript) to achieve dual purpose. A language can be used both for the front-end (everything that the user sees) and for the back-end (all things that happen behind the scenes that make the front-end work properly).

How to uninstall Node.js on Mac

Its versatility doesn't stop there, because there are many ways to uninstall Node.js on macOS. So if one method doesn't work for you, know there are several other ways to work. We will cover how to uninstall Node using Homebrew, as well as Mac terminal, Node version manager, and CleanMyMac as alternatives.

How to uninstall Node.js through Mac Finder

Uninstalling Node with Mac Finder is one of the easier ways to do this, as it does not require extensive knowledge of terminal commands. Here is how to operate:

1. Click the Finder icon in the Mac dock.
2. Click "Go to" in the menu bar and select "Go to Folder".
3. Enter the directory path /usr/local/lib in the text box.

4. Delete all files associated with Node and empty the trash.

To simplify the process, Path Finder can view and edit any hidden files that the Finder may not be able to display. Many times, uninstallation issues are caused by hidden or lagged files and folders that are still retained on your Mac and are not deleted with the main program.

Path Finder acts as an advanced file manager, allowing you to view Mac content in full. You can leverage its dual-panel layout to move and organize files between different locations without using multiple Finder windows. It also offers a quick search feature – a convenient feature that helps you find anything in real time.

If you need to view files and folders, just scroll through your Downloads folder, Documents folder, and everything in between, and Path Finder gives you a complete, transparent overview of its internal content. With this app, the time-consuming search will end – you don’t have to go through those lengthy processes every time you need to find what you need.

Simplify file navigation with Path Finder

Want a more efficient and intuitive way to navigate files on your Mac? Setapp's Path Finder is your one-way ticket to seamless file management.

Free trial security test#####Easy to uninstall any app on your Mac

Another practical application for handling uninstallation processes and more is CleanMyMac – a comprehensive tool that cleans, optimizes and protects your Mac. One of its main features is the ability to completely uninstall and delete applications on your hard drive. It leaves no trace and helps you avoid the difficulties that Mac uninstall usually brings. It also provides a complete set of other useful operations such as cleaning up system garbage, optimizing tools, and malware removal capabilities to protect against security threats.

When you are ready to permanently uninstall the application, you just need to:

1. Click "Uninstall Program" under "Applications".
2. Select all the apps you want to uninstall from your Mac.
3. Click "Uninstall".

Please read also:

• 8 terminal commands that every Mac user must know
• Uninstall Dropbox from Mac
• How to Uninstall Creative Cloud on Mac
• Install Pip on Mac

How to delete Node.js using Homebrew

If you installed Node.js using Homebrew, the installation involves a Mac terminal.

1. Enter the command brew uninstall --force node .

Node.js and all its related components will be uninstalled.

How to delete Node.js using Node Version Manager (NVM)

If you installed Node.js using Node version manager, the installation process looks even more different, but it also starts with accessing the terminal.

Open the terminal and enter the command nvm uninstall<version></version> , and replace "version" with the actual version number of Node.js you downloaded. For example, if you downloaded v20.12.2, you will enter nvm uninstall v20.12.2

In some cases, you may need to enter your administrator password to grant permissions. If so, enter it and Node.js will uninstall from your Mac.

How to uninstall Node.js using Mac terminal

If you installed Node in the traditional way instead of using Node version manager or Homebrew, you can still use your Mac terminal to uninstall it.

1. Open the terminal, enter cd /usr/local/include/ , and press Enter to enter the Node directory.

2. Enter the command sudo rm -rf node and click Enter to delete the main Node folder. You may need to enter a password to grant permissions.
3. Enter the next directory by entering the command cd /usr/local/lib and pressing Enter.
4. Delete node_modules folder by typing sudo rm -rf node_modules and pressing Enter.
5. Enter cd /usr/local/bin and press Enter to enter.
6. Delete all other associated folders by typing sudo rm -rf node npm npx and pressing Enter.

This process should completely remove Node.js.

Want to improve your terminal experience? Core Shell is a fully-featured SSH terminal that has advanced features such as host tag organization, a lot of customization options, OpenSSH support, and even integration with macOS Keychain.

With Core Shell, you can create a more efficient and easier-to-use terminal experience, which will help you simplify commands and take advantage of secure SSH support. It also provides you with a more attractive and comfortable environment, with a variety of customizable fonts, themes and colors.

Choose the best way to uninstall Node.js on your Mac

Node.js is obviously a revolutionary tool in web development, but there may be situations where you need to uninstall Node.js on your Mac. Now you know how to uninstall Node.js on your Mac in a variety of ways, whether through Mac Finder or terminal, or use user-friendly third-party tools to simplify this process.

It is not easy for a Mac to uninstall applications from the system. The main application icon may disappear, but your directory will still be left with files that you may not be aware of. If you want to be 100% sure Node.js or any other application is completely uninstalled, a third-party tool is the best choice.

All of these useful applications—Path Finder, Core Shell, and CleanMyMac—and many other macOS native tools, are found in Setapp, a platform that uses over 240 applications with just one subscription. With a 7-day trial, you can access a variety of applications to stay focused, increase efficiency, reduce CPU usage and increase process efficiency.

FAQ

Can I reinstall Node.js after uninstalling it?

Uninstalling Node.js will not prevent you from installing it again. Many people who uninstall Node actually use it as a way to resolve a situation where there are problems or errors in the system. This may also mean the ability to download updated versions of the program from the official Node.js website. You just need to download it from the website, or select Homebrew or Node version manager as your download method.

Will uninstalling Node.js remove NPM (Node Package Manager)?

If you want to uninstall NPM on your Mac, the NPM is deleted indirectly through the uninstall process, as they are bundled together and installed at the same time. As their name suggests, they are provided together as a software package.

How to check if Node.js has been successfully uninstalled from my Mac?

Since the terminal may be unclear in terms of uninstallation, one easy way to ensure that Node.js has been uninstalled successfully is to enter a simple command. First open the terminal, and then enter node -v as the command in the window. Press Enter and you will see the returned version number, or see a message such as "Command Not Found". If you see a "Command Not Found" message, you have successfully uninstalled Node. Otherwise, you will still see the version number displayed and you will need to restart the reinstallation process. A better way to ensure successful Node uninstallation on your Mac is to use CleanMyMac, as it has a dedicated uninstaller feature that gives you peace of mind.

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