pkgutil
Query and manage macOS package receipts
TLDR
List installed packages
SYNOPSIS
pkgutil [options] [packages]
DESCRIPTION
pkgutil is macOS's package receipt management utility. It queries the installer database to list installed packages, show package metadata, verify installation integrity, and list files belonging to a package.
The --forget command removes a package receipt from the database without deleting any installed files, useful for cleaning up stale entries. The --expand command extracts a .pkg archive for inspection. Package identifiers use reverse-DNS notation (e.g., com.apple.pkg.Safari).
Note that pkgutil manages receipts only - it cannot install or uninstall packages. Use installer for installation and manual removal for uninstallation.
PARAMETERS
--pkgs
List all packages.--pkg-info id
Show package information.--files id
List installed files.--verify id
Verify package installation.--forget id
Remove package receipt.--expand pkg dir
Expand package.--volume path
Target volume.
EXAMPLES
pkgutil --pkgs | grep com.apple
# Get package details
pkgutil --pkg-info com.apple.pkg.Safari
# List package files
pkgutil --files com.apple.pkg.Safari | head
# Find package owning file
pkgutil --file-info /usr/bin/python3
# Expand pkg for inspection
pkgutil --expand package.pkg expanded_dir
CAVEATS
macOS-specific. --forget doesn't uninstall, only removes receipt. Some packages are protected.
HISTORY
pkgutil is Apple's command-line interface for the macOS Installer package system, managing .pkg installations.