Mac Trash Guide: How to Recover Deleted Files from Mac Trash

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Is it possible to recover deleted files from the Trash on Mac? What if you have already emptied the Trash? Can you undo emptying the Trash to get your documents, images, videos, or audio files back? Don't panic. As long as you deal with the lost data in the right way, you can easily recover deleted files from the Trash on Mac or perform a thorough recovery with powerful Mac data recovery software.

TIP: You can press the Command(⌘)+Z keyboard shortcut to undo the last action of deleting a file/folder.

Method 1: How to Recover a Deleted File from the Trash on a Mac

Who it's for:

• Select a file and press Command(⌘)+Delete on your keyboard; • Drag the file to the Trash icon in the Dock; • Right-click a file and choose “Move to Trash.”

The Trash feature on a Mac functions similarly to the Recycle Bin in Windows 10, serving as a temporary holding place for deleted files and data. If you realize that you've accidentally removed an important file, you can easily recover it from the Trash.

Follow the instructions:

Empty the Trash on a Mac Find a File or Folder You Deleted in the Trash Hold down the Option key and click the file, then select Put Back.

※ Restored files are returned to their original location prior to deletion.

Method 2: Recovering Files Deleted from an Empty Trash on a Mac

Applicable to:

• Delete files permanently using the Option+Command(⌘)+Delete keyboard shortcut.
• Select a file and choose the "Move to Trash" option, then immediately choose "Empty Trash."
• Empty the entire Trash by clicking the "Empty" button in the Trash.
• Enable the "Remove items from the Trash after 30 days" option in Finder preferences.

However, if you have emptied the Trash, getting back the lost files is not always that simple. In this regard, you need a more effective way to recover files from Empty Trash on Mac.

Data recovery software is a wise solution to deal with any data loss situation. Whether you have emptied the Trash or permanently deleted files from Mac, it scans and retrieves all types of data. Notably, data recovery software not only supports the recovery of data from Mac's built-in hard drive but also works for external storage devices like SD cards or external HDDs.

The power of data-recovery software lies in its ability to:

When you delete a file, the system marks its location on the storage as free space, but the file doesn't actually vanish from the storage device until that space is overwritten by other data. Data recovery software takes advantage of this fact by scanning for and retrieving any deleted files that haven't yet been covered. The "Data Recovery Wizard for Mac" is one such tool. Here's why we recommend it.

Tips for Improving Data Recovery Rates:

• Stop all write operations, such as editing, saving, creating, or deleting files. • Do not access data on the target disk, such as by viewing files or folders. • Do not format or reformat the disk.

Follow the instructions:

Step 1: Scan for the deleted files

Select the hard drive, external drive, or SSD from where your important data and files were deleted, and then click “Search Lost Files.”

Select the location, and then scan for deleted files on your Mac.

'Step 2: Filter for missing files'

The software will scan the selected volume quickly and deeply, trying to find as many deleted files as possible. Filter the required files by Type and Path options.

Step 3: Recover the deleted file

Double-click the deleted files to preview them, and then hit the “Recover” button to get them back.

"Issues related to 'Empty Trash' on Mac"

Here are some related questions that might interest you. Keep reading to easily solve your queries.

1. Where is the Trash on a Mac?

It's usually on the desktop. If not, click the icon in the Dock. A Finder window titled "Trash" will open, showing any files inside it. To recover an item that you put in the Trash, drag it back to the desktop or to the folder where it belongs.

Where do deleted files go after emptying the Recycle Bin?

Files that are moved to the Trash when you delete them. These files remain on the hard disk after you empty the Trash and can be recovered with the appropriate software.

3. Can I recover emptied Trash on Mac?

Yes. With the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool, it's effortless to recover files from an emptied Trash. It only takes three steps to recover files from an emptied Trash:

Step 1. Select the location, then click the "Scan" button.

Step 2: The software will perform a quick scan and deep scan to search for lost files.

Step 3: Select the files you want to recover and then click the "Recover Now" button to get them back.

4. How do I empty the Trash on a Mac?

Click and hold the Trash icon in your Dock. A pop-up window will appear that says “Empty Trash.” Select it.

You can also empty the Trash from any open Finder window by pressing Command + Shift + Delete.