2

I would like to uninstall the "Realtek USB Ethernet Network Adapter" I can find it under System Information -> Software -> Installations in a list but don't know how to get rid of it.

1

1 Answer 1

3

Check the Realtek site for the latest driver of your USB Ethernet adapter and download it. The driver zip file should contain an uninstall.zip. Unzip this also and double-click the resulting uninstall.command file. Enter the admin (root) password and reboot your Mac.

Using an uninstaller provided with the driver installer is recommended.

Provided it's a RTL8153 chip you can also pour the following content into a uninstall.command file and execute it:

#!/bin/sh
. /etc/rc.common

echo "                                                                  "
echo "Please type the password of \"root\" to Uninstall ..."
FROM=`dirname "$0"`

echo "Removing Apple USB Ethernet Driver..."

sudo kextunload /System/Library/Extensions/IONetworkingFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleRTL815X*.kext
sudo kextunload /Library/Extensions/AppleRTL815X*.kext

sudo rm -rf /System/Library/Extensions/IONetworkingFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleRTL815X*.kext
sudo rm -rf /Library/Extensions/AppleRTL815X*.kext

sudo touch /System/Library/Extensions/
sudo touch /Library/Extensions/

echo "Uninstall Complete."

Depending on your system version you have to disable SIP.

In Catalina you have to disable SIP in Recovery Mode first and mount the system volume read-write after rebooting: sudo mount -rw /. Additionally you have to chmod +x uninstall.command and add it to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Full Disk Access.

Enable SIP after uninstalling the driver!


If your kext has a different name (e.g. AppleUSBRealtek8153Patcher.kext) or paths have changed, you have to adjust it respectively in the file uninstall.command (e.g. AppleRTL815*.kext). Use at your own risk!

6
  • This fails with the error message Unable to determine realpath for /System/Library/Extensions/IONetworkingFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleRTL815X*.kext - failing. Can't create /System/Library/Extensions/IONetworkingFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleRTL815X*.kext. Unable to determine realpath for /Library/Extensions/AppleRTL815X*.kext - failing. Can't create /Library/Extensions/AppleRTL815X*.kext. Uninstall Complete. Feb 4, 2020 at 21:01
  • My system version? I am using macOS Catalina 10.15.3. Feb 4, 2020 at 21:04
  • What would be the command for that? I'm having trouble finding it online. Feb 4, 2020 at 21:10
  • I actually didn't have the expected driver files. A similar one for me is instead called AppleUSBRealtek8153Patcher.kext, in /System/Library/Extensions. Feb 4, 2020 at 21:22
  • The uninstaller is in the disk image file downloaded from the Realtek website. Feb 4, 2020 at 21:25

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .