Install MySQL on macOS

Popular open source SQL relational database.

Databasesqlrdbmsrelationaldatabaseacid

Installation

Server (Homebrew) · Homebrew

$ brew install mysql

Installs the MySQL server and client (mysql, mysqld).

Verify the installation

Verify

$ mysql --version

Service

Start

$ brew services start mysql

Stop

$ brew services stop mysql

Status

$ brew services info mysql

Restart

$ brew services restart mysql

Important files

Type	Path	Description
config	/opt/homebrew/etc/my.cnf	Main configuration file (Apple Silicon; /usr/local/etc on Intel).
data	/opt/homebrew/var/mysql	Data directory (Apple Silicon; /usr/local/var/mysql on Intel).

Default ports

3306

Command-line tools

mysqlInteractive SQL client.
mysqldThe database server daemon.
mysqladminAdministrative client (status, shutdown, password).
mysql_secure_installationHardening script: set the root password, remove test data.

Uninstall

brew services stop mysql
brew uninstall mysql

The /opt/homebrew/var/mysql data directory may remain; delete it manually to wipe everything.

Good to know

Homebrew's mysql starts with no root password: run mysql_secure_installation to set one.
The /opt/homebrew paths are for Apple Silicon; on Intel use /usr/local. Check with brew --prefix.

Installation with Homebrew

brew install mysql installs the server (mysqld) and client (mysql). Start it as a background service with brew services start mysql. The configuration is /opt/homebrew/etc/my.cnf and the data lives under /opt/homebrew/var/mysql (Apple Silicon; /usr/local on Intel).

Securing the installation

Homebrew's MySQL starts without a root password. Run mysql_secure_installation right away to set one, remove anonymous accounts, and drop the test database. Then connect with mysql -u root -p.

Common pitfalls

If port 3306 is already taken, adjust port in my.cnf and restart with brew services restart mysql. Never expose MySQL on a public interface without a strong password and a firewall.