Quick Answer: Why Do Deleted Files Still Appear on Mac?

Have you ever freed up space on your Mac, only to be surprised by the reappearance of deleted files? One of the well-known downsides of a Mac is its limited storage capacity. This is why most users have to delete various files to free up space for improved performance and to store new ones.

However, you might come across deleted files that show up again. This can lead to massive confusion because you distinctly remember deleting those files. To clear the air and provide some clarity, we have discussed some important aspects. Here, you will learn why deleted files reappear and how to force delete them, and so on.

Why Deleted Files Still Appear on Mac

Deleting a file on a Mac is a pretty straightforward task. It can be accomplished in just a few minutes and with a few clicks. The easiest way is to drag the unwanted files to the Trash. However, in some cases, deleted files resurfacing can cause trouble.

There are several reasons behind the appearance of missing files on Mac. They are as follows:

• If you previously connected an external drive to the Time Machine drive on your Mac, you might see the deleted files.
• Sometimes, issues with the macOS Trash folder can also cause deleted files to reappear.
• In some cases, an SD card or USB drive may be damaged or corrupted, leading to the reappearance of deleted files.
• If you haven't emptied the Trash on your Mac, deleted files will show up again.
• You might not have had permission to delete the file in the first place.
• The file might currently be in use by another application on your Mac.

How to Recover Deleted Files on Mac without Time Machine [2 Ways]

If you don't have an external hard drive for Time Machine to back up all your Mac files, Time Machine won't be of any help. In this case, you can use the Mac Data Recovery Wizard to restore Mac data without a Time Machine backup.

How do I completely delete a file on a Mac?

Deleting a file from a Mac isn't a challenging task. In fact, it's relatively straightforward unless you're facing any of the above situations. In that case, your only option is to force delete the file. Keep in mind that once you opt for any of the methods below, the file might be irrecoverable.

Check out the different force delete methods you can try on a Mac.

• Method 1. Empty the Trash
• Method 2. Delete a File from the Terminal
• Method 3. Delete a File in Safe Mode

Method 1: Empty the Recycling Bin

Step 1: Tap the "Trash" icon at the bottom of the screen.

Here, you can choose between two different paths:

Option 1: Empty specific items. You'll need to Control-click the file and choose “Empty Trash Immediately.”

Option 2: Empty the entire Trash.

Step 2. Open a Finder window and choose Empty Trash from the drop-down menu. Click Empty.

It's important to understand that files you delete on a Mac remain in the Trash until you decide to permanently remove them.

Note: Choosing this option will ensure that your files are permanently removed from the system and the space they occupied is overwritten.

Method 2: Remove the File Using the Terminal

Using the terminal is a risky solution, since even a small mistake can lead to disastrous consequences. Proceed with caution when using it to delete files.

Step 1: Click on “Applications” and then choose “Utilities.”

Step 2: Open "Terminal." Navigate to the folder containing the file you want to delete.

Please enter the following command:

Step 3: Drag the file you want to delete into the Terminal window. This will add the filename and path to the Terminal command. When you're sure you have the right file, press Enter.

To delete a folder, type –rm -rf, and repeat the same process.

If that doesn't work, try sudo rm -R. There should be a space between the "-" and the "R".

Step 4: Drag the file you want to delete into the Terminal window. This will add the file's name and path to the command in the Terminal.

Step 5: Press the Enter key. You will be prompted for the administrator password; type it in and press Enter again.

Warning: Using sudo rm -R is more dangerous, as it can delete important files as well. Deleting a file on a Mac may take some time. Here, the size of the file plays an important role. The bigger the file, the longer it will take to delete it.

Method 3: Delete the File in Safe Mode

Step 1: Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen and select "Restart." A prompt will appear asking you to confirm that you want to restart the computer.

Step 2: Choose the “Reboot” option, and hold down the Shift key. Release the Shift key when you see the login window.

Step 3: Safe Mode should now be booted up. Select the menu folder that contains the file you wish to delete. Choose “Move to Trash” from the drop-down option to remove the selected file.

Step 4. Click the trash can icon. Hold it down. Wait for “Empty Trash” to appear. Permanently delete the file now.

5. Restart your computer. This will exit Safe Mode.

Related guide: How to Delete a File That Won't Delete on Mac

Normally, deleting a file on a Mac isn't a daunting task. It's relatively simple and doesn't take much time. You just have to drag the file you want to delete to the Trash. However, there might be situations that prevent you from deleting these files.

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There are several reasons why you might not be able to delete a file on your Mac:

• The file is locked.
• The file you want to delete is currently in use.
• A bug in the Mac Finder.
• You lack permission to delete or edit the file.
• Your macOS system is corrupted.

There are different ways to fix this. Go and have a look:

• Unlock the file: If the file you want to delete is locked, you must unlock it first. To do this, hold down the Control key and select the desired file. Then click Get Info (⌘ + I). After clicking, the "General" section will expand. Here, you need to uncheck the "Locked" option.
• Resolve "File is in use" error: Go to the Apple icon and choose "Force Quit." This will display a list of currently running files on your system. Select the application that might be preventing you from deleting the desired file. Then, click the Force Quit button. If a pop-up appears, select Force Quit again. Alternatively, you can try closing all applications and then attempt to delete the file.

Read also: How to Delete Files on Mac That Will Not Delete

Be careful! Don't delete any important data.

Forcing the removal of a file or deleting a file that can't be deleted on Mac is a serious undertaking. You should make sure you understand the consequences before proceeding. You might not be able to recover the deleted data. With that in mind, proceed with caution.

It's a good idea to back up the file you want to delete first. Aside from that, you should try regular deletion methods first. You don't want to accidentally remove an important file from your system, as that can cause more problems.

No matter how many precautions you take, there are always some situations that may lead to loss of important data. In such cases, you have to opt for the best data recovery software. You can rely on tools like the Mac Data Recovery Wizard. It doesn't matter what has caused the loss; you can get it back. It's an excellent way to retrieve photos, music files, videos, emails, and more.

Follow the steps below to know how to use Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool:

Step 1. Select the drive to scan

In the main window of the “Data Recovery Wizard,” you will see the list of all drives connected to your Mac. Select the drive from which you need to recover lost/deleted files and click on the “Search for lost files” button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended that you click “Disk Backup” on the left sidebar to back up your Mac to avoid further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and your computer can write new data again.

Select the location and scan for lost Mac data

Step 2: Choose the data/files you lost

Data Recovery Wizard immediately scans the selected disk volume and displays the scan results in the left pane. If you are looking for specific files, you can sort the results to locate the file you need.

Step 3. Recover Lost/Deleted Data

Once you find the desired files, preview them and click “Recover” to start restoring your deleted/lost Mac files.

Conclusions

There are cases when Mac users encounter files that they have already deleted. There's no need to panic, as there are various reasons why this may happen. Fortunately, there are several solutions that can help you force delete the file you don't want.

Sometimes, a Mac won't delete certain files. These are usually configuration or system files. But there's a way around it.

Before you proceed with deleting important files or selecting the option to permanently delete, make sure you have a backup. However, there still might be a chance of losing data. In this case, you can opt for the best data recovery software, such as the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. It's user-friendly and assists in retrieving crucial files.