How to uninstall MKVToolNix on Mac
Save any queued jobs, custom settings and output videos before removing MKVToolNix. The Mac GUI bundle and a separately installed Homebrew formula are different installations; removing one does not prove the other is gone.
Quit and remove the app
Wait for running muxing or extraction work to finish, quit the GUI, then move MKVToolNix.app to the Trash. Keep input MKV files, extracted tracks, attachments and output files. If you installed the separate mkvtoolnix formula and also want it removed, use brew uninstall mkvtoolnix for that installation.
Review the local data
In Finder, choose Go › Go to Folder and open each exact path below. Copy anything you need first, then move only the app-owned item you have decided to discard to the Trash. These locations come from the Homebrew removal list or the recorded local check; a missing location needs no cleanup.
| Location | What to keep or remove |
|---|---|
~/Library/Preferences/bunkus.org/mkvtoolnix-gui |
GUI settings observed locally and named by the cask; preserve before resetting. |
~/Library/Caches/bunkus.org/mkvtoolnix-gui |
App-specific cache observed locally; the parent may belong to other tools. |
Check the result
These commands only list the app and the locations discussed above. The app filename comes from the cask; adjust it if your official-download bundle has a different name.
ls -ld "/Applications/MKVToolNix.app"
ls -ld "$HOME/Library/Preferences/bunkus.org/mkvtoolnix-gui"
ls -ld "$HOME/Library/Caches/bunkus.org/mkvtoolnix-gui"
An entry printed by ls still exists at that path. No such file or directory means that exact item is absent; Permission denied or Operation not permitted means the check could not establish its state. A retained data folder is expected if you chose to keep it. This check does not search every disk or cloud account.
If you installed it with Homebrew
Uninstall without running zap:
brew uninstall --cask mkvtoolnix-app
This removes Homebrew's managed app artifacts without applying its zap list. Homebrew also removes its managed command links or wrapper; a separately installed command-line package is independent. A “not installed” error means Homebrew has no matching cask installation; use the Finder route for a manually copied app.
The live cask source names these additional zap targets:
~/Library/Preferences/bunkus.org/mkvtoolnix-gui~/Library/Saved Application State/download.mkvtoolnix.MKVToolNix.savedState
Some targets can hold settings or personal data. Keep the paths you still need and back them up before considering brew uninstall --cask --zap mkvtoolnix-app. That direct command applies the cask's entire zap list regardless of Mole's checkboxes. Mole uses zap only when its complete scope passes its selection and shared-data checks; unchecked, shared, out-of-boundary or unsupported targets suppress zap, while selected remnants use Mole's own removal path.
What Mole lists
Mole lists the exact GUI preferences leaf for review, not selected by default. The historical vendor-nested GUI cache also requires review and is not selected by default. It does not require deleting the whole bunkus.org parent. These defaults describe the app-data option switched off. Opting into Remove data and settings with apps also selects eligible reviewed app data; shared stores and protected data retain their individual review or protection.
What this test covered
The official Apple-silicon GUI bundle and selected temporary cache were removed on 21 September 2026. The historical vendor-nested preferences and cache leaves were added after observing a collection gap. Personal videos and a separate formula installation were not part of that removal test. Homebrew instructions were checked against the current cask, but this record does not establish a Homebrew-managed uninstall or removal of every possible leftover.