Stop the MySQL Service

I'm using Homebrew to stop the service

brew services stop mysql

Locate MySQL Data Directory

If you're using Homebrew, it should be located at /usr/local/Cellar/mysql/[your-version]

Go to the directory and make a backup for homebrew.mxcl.mysql.plist and open homebrew.mxcl.mysql.plist - either using nano or Sublime Text, doesn't matter.

Update Your Data Directory Path

Following are the default setting. All you need to do is to update the /usr/local/var/mysql to the new path. Save the file.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
  <key>KeepAlive</key>
  <true/>
  <key>Label</key>
  <string>homebrew.mxcl.mysql</string>
  <key>ProgramArguments</key>
  <array>
    <string>/usr/local/opt/mysql/bin/mysqld_safe</string>
    <string>--bind-address=127.0.0.1</string>
    <string>--datadir=/usr/local/var/mysql</string>
  </array>
  <key>RunAtLoad</key>
  <true/>
  <key>WorkingDirectory</key>
  <string>/usr/local/var/mysql</string>
</dict>
</plist>

Copy the Old Databases

Make sure to copy all files under /usr/local/var/mysql to new directory. You may use the following command to copy the files recursively.

cp -R /usr/local/var/mysql /your/new/path

Start the MySQL Service

Once you are done with above steps, do start the service.

brew services start mysql

Verification

Try to connect to the database, create a new database - see either the new database created in old directory /usr/local/var/mysql or you new path.

nasrulhazim/change-mysql-data-directory-in-osx.md