Complete Un-installation of PostgreSQL from Mac OS X Lion

In response to a question on stackoverflow, here is a short guide on how to completely uninstall PostgreSQL 9.1 from Mac OS X Lion.

  1. Open a terminal window

    Utilities->Terminal

  2. Run the uninstaller

    sudo /Library/PostgreSQL/9.1/uninstall-postgresql.app/Contents/MacOS/installbuilder.sh

    PostgreSQL Uninstall Wizard
    PostgreSQL Uninstall Wizard in Progress

    Data not removed after PostgreSQL Uninstallation
  3. Remove the PostgreSQL and data folders (Wizard will notify you that these were not removed)

    sudo rm -rf /Library/PostgreSQL

  4. Remove the ini file

    sudo rm /etc/postgres-reg.ini

  5. Remove the PostgreSQL user

    System Preferences -> Users & Groups

    Unlock the settings panel by clicking on the padlock and enter your password

    Select the PostgreSQL user and click on the minus button.

Remove PostgreSQL User