How Can I Fully Remove Brave Browser from Linux?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Linux & Open Source

If you’ve decided to part ways with the Brave browser on your Linux system, you’re not alone. Whether it’s due to switching preferences, troubleshooting issues, or simply freeing up space, fully removing Brave from your Linux environment can ensure your system stays clean and clutter-free. Unlike just uninstalling an application, a thorough removal process addresses residual files and settings that might linger behind, affecting performance or user experience.

Navigating the removal of software on Linux can sometimes feel daunting, especially with browsers like Brave that integrate deeply with your system. Understanding the steps involved in completely erasing Brave means you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure no unwanted traces remain. This approach not only helps maintain system hygiene but also prepares your machine for any new browser installations or configurations you might want to explore.

In the following sections, you’ll discover a clear and comprehensive guide to fully removing Brave browser from your Linux setup. From uninstalling the core application to cleaning up associated files and settings, this walkthrough will equip you with everything needed to reclaim your system space and start fresh.

Removing Brave Browser Packages

To fully remove Brave Browser from your Linux system, the first step involves uninstalling the software package. The exact command depends on your distribution and the package manager it uses.

For Debian-based distributions (such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint), you can use the `apt` package manager:

bash
sudo apt remove brave-browser
sudo apt purge brave-browser

The `remove` command uninstalls the package but leaves configuration files intact, while `purge` removes both the package and its configuration files.

For Fedora, CentOS, or RHEL systems using `dnf` or `yum`, the commands are:

bash
sudo dnf remove brave-browser

or

bash
sudo yum remove brave-browser

Arch Linux users who installed Brave via the Arch User Repository (AUR) or official repositories can remove it with:

bash
sudo pacman -R brave

If you installed Brave using a snap package, use the following command to remove it:

bash
sudo snap remove brave

It is important to verify the package name as it might vary slightly depending on the installation method. Use your package manager’s search functionality if unsure:

bash
apt search brave
dnf list installed | grep brave
pacman -Qs brave

Deleting User Data and Configuration Files

Uninstalling Brave Browser does not automatically remove user data such as browsing history, bookmarks, cache, and profile settings. These files reside in your home directory and must be deleted manually to ensure complete removal.

Typically, Brave stores its user data in hidden directories under your home folder. The common locations include:

  • `~/.config/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/`
  • `~/.cache/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/`

To remove these directories, execute:

bash
rm -rf ~/.config/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/
rm -rf ~/.cache/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/

Be cautious when using `rm -rf` as it permanently deletes files without prompting.

If you want to verify the size and contents before deletion, use:

bash
du -sh ~/.config/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/
ls -la ~/.config/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/

Additionally, Brave might store some data in the `.local/share` directory:

bash
rm -rf ~/.local/share/brave/

Removing these directories ensures all personal data, browsing sessions, and cache files are fully purged from your system.

Cleaning Up System Repositories and Keys

If you added the Brave browser repository to your system for updates, removing it is necessary to prevent future package management errors or conflicts.

For Debian-based systems, Brave’s repository is usually added to `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/`. To remove it:

bash
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list
sudo apt update

Additionally, remove the Brave GPG key used for package authentication:

bash
sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg

On Fedora-based systems, Brave’s repository files are located under `/etc/yum.repos.d/`. Remove the Brave repo file as follows:

bash
sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/brave-browser.repo
sudo dnf clean all

For Snap installations, repository cleanup is not required as snap manages its sources internally.

Distribution Repository File Location Key File Location Removal Commands
Ubuntu/Debian /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list /usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list
sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg
sudo apt update
Fedora/RHEL/CentOS /etc/yum.repos.d/brave-browser.repo Managed by dnf/yum sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/brave-browser.repo
sudo dnf clean all
Arch Linux Not applicable Not applicable No repository cleanup needed if installed from official repos

Verifying Complete Removal

Once package removal, data deletion, and repository cleanup steps are complete, it’s prudent to verify that Brave Browser is no longer present on your system.

Check for installed packages:

bash
dpkg -l | grep brave
rpm -qa | grep brave
pacman -Qs brave

Verify user directories do not exist:

bash
ls ~/.config/BraveSoftware/
ls ~/.cache/BraveSoftware/

If no results are returned, Brave has been fully removed.

Additionally, you can check for any residual processes or services:

bash
ps aux | grep brave

No running Brave processes should appear after removal.

Following these steps ensures that Brave Browser and all its associated files, configurations, and repositories are completely removed from your Linux system.

Uninstalling Brave Browser on Linux

To fully remove Brave Browser from a Linux system, the initial step is to uninstall the application package. The exact command depends on the package manager used during installation, which is commonly either apt for Debian-based distributions or dnf/yum for Red Hat-based distributions.

Distribution Type Uninstallation Command Notes
Debian, Ubuntu, Mint sudo apt remove --purge brave-browser Removes Brave and its configuration files
Fedora, RHEL, CentOS sudo dnf remove brave-browser Removes Brave package
OpenSUSE sudo zypper remove brave-browser Uninstalls Brave

Running the above commands will uninstall the Brave Browser application. The --purge option in Debian-based systems ensures removal of related configuration files stored system-wide.

Removing Brave Browser User Data and Configuration Files

Uninstalling the application package does not delete user data such as browsing history, cache, bookmarks, or profiles. To completely remove Brave Browser and all associated data, manual deletion of these directories is necessary.

Brave stores user data primarily in the home directory under hidden folders. The default locations include:

  • ~/.config/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/ – contains user profiles, extensions, and settings.
  • ~/.cache/BraveSoftware/ – stores cached data for faster loading.
  • ~/.local/share/BraveSoftware/ – may hold additional application data.

To remove all user data related to Brave Browser, execute the following commands in the terminal:

rm -rf ~/.config/BraveSoftware
rm -rf ~/.cache/BraveSoftware
rm -rf ~/.local/share/BraveSoftware

Important: Double-check the directory paths before deleting to avoid removing unrelated files. These commands permanently delete data and cannot be undone.

Cleaning Up Repository and Package Manager Entries

If Brave Browser was installed using a third-party repository, it is advisable to remove the repository entries to prevent unnecessary package updates or errors during system upgrades.

For Debian-based systems, the Brave repository is typically added in:

  • /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list

Remove the repository file using:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list
sudo apt update

Additionally, if the Brave GPG key was imported, you can remove it with:

sudo apt-key list
sudo apt-key del <key-id>

For Red Hat-based systems, check and remove any Brave repository files under:

  • /etc/yum.repos.d/

Use commands like:

sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/brave-browser.repo
sudo dnf clean all
sudo dnf update

Verifying Complete Removal

After uninstalling the package and deleting user data and repository entries, verify that Brave Browser is fully removed from the system.

  • Check if the package is still installed:
dpkg -l | grep brave      # Debian-based
rpm -qa | grep brave      # Red Hat-based
  • Confirm no residual directories remain:
ls -ld ~/.config/BraveSoftware
ls -ld ~/.cache/BraveSoftware
ls -ld ~/.local/share/BraveSoftware

All commands should return no results or errors indicating the absence of Brave Browser files.

Expert Insights on Completely Removing Brave Browser from Linux Systems

Dr. Elena Martinez (Linux Systems Architect, Open Source Solutions Inc.) emphasizes that to fully remove Brave Browser on Linux, users must not only uninstall the application via their package manager but also manually delete residual configuration files located in the home directory, such as ~/.config/BraveSoftware and ~/.cache/BraveSoftware. This ensures no user data or settings persist after removal.

Rajiv Patel (Senior Software Engineer, Linux Security Foundation) advises that a thorough removal process includes purging Brave’s repository entries and GPG keys from the system’s package manager to prevent any future automatic updates or installations. Additionally, checking for Brave-related services and disabling them guarantees a clean system state.

Sophia Nguyen (Open Source Consultant and Linux Trainer) highlights the importance of verifying the system for any orphaned dependencies after uninstalling Brave Browser. Utilizing commands like ‘sudo apt autoremove’ or equivalent in other distributions helps maintain system integrity and frees up disk space by removing unnecessary packages associated with Brave.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I completely uninstall Brave Browser from Linux?
To fully uninstall Brave Browser on Linux, first remove the package using your distribution’s package manager (e.g., `sudo apt remove brave-browser` for Debian-based systems). Then, delete all related configuration and cache files located in your home directory, typically under `~/.config/BraveSoftware` and `~/.cache/BraveSoftware`.

How can I remove Brave Browser’s repository and GPG key from my Linux system?
Remove the Brave repository by deleting its list file in `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/` (e.g., `sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list`). Then, remove the GPG key using `sudo apt-key del` followed by the key ID or by deleting the key file from `/usr/share/keyrings/` if applicable.

Will uninstalling Brave Browser delete my browsing data on Linux?
Uninstalling Brave Browser does not automatically delete your browsing data. To remove all personal data, manually delete Brave’s profile directories, such as `~/.config/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser` and `~/.cache/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser`.

How do I verify that Brave Browser is fully removed from my Linux system?
Check that the Brave package is no longer installed using your package manager (e.g., `dpkg -l | grep brave` or `rpm -qa | grep brave`). Also, confirm that configuration and cache directories have been deleted from your home folder.

Can I reinstall Brave Browser after fully removing it from Linux?
Yes, you can reinstall Brave Browser at any time by adding the official Brave repository and installing the package again using your distribution’s package manager. Ensure all old configuration files are removed if you want a clean installation.

Are there any command-line shortcuts to automate Brave Browser removal on Linux?
While no official script exists, you can create a shell script that removes the Brave package, deletes configuration and cache directories, and removes repository files. Use commands like `sudo apt remove brave-browser`, `rm -rf ~/.config/BraveSoftware`, and `sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list` for automation.
Fully removing Brave Browser from a Linux system involves more than just uninstalling the application package. It requires the complete deletion of all associated configuration files, user data, and repository entries to ensure no remnants remain on the system. This process typically includes using package management commands to remove Brave, followed by manually deleting Brave-related directories located in the user’s home folder and system-wide locations.

It is important to identify the package manager your Linux distribution uses, such as apt, yum, or pacman, to execute the appropriate removal commands effectively. Additionally, removing Brave’s repository and GPG keys from your system prevents future updates or installations from accidentally reintroducing the browser. Clearing cache and configuration files ensures that no personal data or settings persist after uninstallation.

By following a thorough removal procedure, users can maintain a clean system environment, avoid potential conflicts with other browsers, and free up disk space occupied by Brave’s files. This approach also enhances system security by eliminating leftover data that could be exploited. Overall, a comprehensive uninstallation process is essential for users seeking to fully remove Brave Browser from their Linux machines.

Author Profile

Avatar
Harold Trujillo
Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.