edit /etc/hostconfig and remove the line MYSQLCOM=-YES.launchctl unload -w ~/Library/LaunchAgents/.sudo rm -rf /Library/PreferencePanes/My*.sudo rm -rf /Library/StartupItems/MySQLCOM.Here are detailed instructions combining getting rid of all MySQL from your Mac then installing it The Brew Way as Sedorner wrote above: Remove MySQL completely per The Tech Lab Note the second: a commenter says step 2 is not required. Note: the -force bit on brew cleanup will also cleanup outdated kegs, think it's a new-ish homebrew feature. Launchctl load -w ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ Used the alternate security script: /usr/local/Cellar/mysql/5.5.10/bin/mysql_secure_installationįollowed the launchctl section from the brew package script output such as, #start Start mysql with rver start command, to be able to log on it Mysql_install_db -verbose -user=`whoami` -basedir='$(brew -prefix mysql)' -datadir=/usr/local/var/mysql -tmpdir=/tmp Ran the commands brew suggested: (see note: below) unset TMPDIR installed mysql with brew install mysql.Launchctl unload -w ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ Note also your alternate security script directory will be based on which version of MySQL you are installing. Used brew's remove & cleanup commands, unloaded the launchctl script, then deleted the mysql directory in /usr/local/var, deleted my existing /etc/my.cnf (leave that one up to you, should it apply) and launchctl plist I had the same problem and none of the above solutions worked for me.

I think one can end up in this position with older versions of mysql already installed.

Mac install mysql 5.7 server