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How to permanently delete files on a Mac to prevent them from reappearing
In This Article
Have you noticed that files or apps on your Mac can sometimes seemingly refuse to delete, regardless of how many times you try?
This is a frustrating and confusing issue but luckily it’s easy to permanently delete files and learn why a file may not be cooperative. Read on to follow our guide on how to permanently delete files on your Mac.
What you’ll need:
The short version:
Step1
Move the item to bin
There are a few ways to do this. You can either simply drag the item straight into the Bin icon or you can also right-click on the item and select Move to Bin, as shown here.Doing this will only temporarily move your unwanted files to the Bin. Next, you’ll need to permanently remove them from your computer.
Step2
Open Bin
Once you’ve put your item in the Bin, click on the Bin icon which should be found at the bottom of your Mac’s screen. If it’s not there, then search for Bin using the search icon at the top of your Mac.
Step3
Click Empty
You’ll find this in the top-right corner of the Bin app.
Step4
Click Empty Bin
This will permanently delete everything in your Bin. It’s worth checking the contents of the Bin before emptying, as once you empty you won’t be able to retrieve them.
Troubleshooting
The item may be locked, which is why it’s not able to be deleted. To check if the item is locked, select it, then choose File, and then Get Info. From here, untick the Locked box. You may need to enter your Apple ID password or use your Touch ID to do this.
To restore your item from the Bin, open the Bin icon. Then select the item you want to restore and select File then select Put Back.
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Jess joined the Trusted Reviews team early in 2024, after working for almost three years in lifestyle and technology PR. Using the skills gained from her previous role, Jess has taken on a new challen…
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Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
