Permanently Erase Deleted Files on Mac

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What will you do if some of the files on your Mac is not needed anymore? Normally, Mac users will delete the files and then empty the Trash to remove the files from the computer. It's enough to delete the files if the data is not sensitive. However, if some of the data is sensitive and you don't want the data be recovered in any way, you may need to do more. You have to know how to permanently erase deleted files on Mac.

In order to wipe the files completely on Mac machine, we suggest you use professional data eraser software to do the job easily. Donemax Data Eraser is the software we recommend for you to erase deleted files permanently on Mac.

When to Permanently Erase Deleted Files on Mac?

When you move a file to the Trash and empty it, macOS doesn't actually erase the data. It simply marks the space those files occupied as "available for new data." Until that space is overwritten, the files can be recovered with specialized data recovery software.

Permanent erasure (also called secure erase or wiping) actively overwrites that disk space with meaningless data (often multiple times), making the original information virtually impossible to recover.

Here are the key scenarios where this is necessary:

1. Selling, Donating, or Recycling Your Mac

This is the most critical scenario. You must permanently erase all your data to protect your personal information, including:

• Financial documents
• Photos and videos
• Passwords (stored in browsers or keychain)
• Personal correspondence
• Browsing history

2. Transferring a Hard Drive or SSD to Someone Else

Even if it's not the whole computer, if you are giving away or selling an external hard drive or SSD, you should securely erase it first.

3. Disposing of a Broken or Old Drive

Before you throw a defective drive in the e-waste, you should destroy the data. A secure erase is the first step. For HDDs, physical destruction (e.g., drilling) is also an option if the drive is no longer functional.

4. Handling Highly Sensitive or Confidential Data

If you work with sensitive business documents, client data, legal files, or intellectual property, you should permanently erase them as soon as they are no longer needed. Don't wait until you're getting rid of the computer.

5. "Digital Hygiene" and Peace of Mind

Some users simply prefer the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their deleted private files (like old tax returns or personal journals) are truly gone and not languishing in a recoverable state on their drive.

It is necessary when you want to ensure that the deleted data is unrecoverable by any means. This is primarily for security, privacy, and before selling or giving away your Mac.

Steps to Permanently Erase Deleted Files on Mac

The software can erase the deleted files simply in a only a few steps. Also, the software is easy-to-use and professional. It's able to erase data effectively and safely. To wipe the deleted files permanently from your Mac, you can do as follows step by step.

Step 1. Download the data wiping software.

First, please download the software and install it on your Mac computer. Then launch the application to wipe data on your drive. Here is the download for the software.

Step 2. Choose the proper option to wipe deleted files.

To wipe the deleted files permanently, you can choose the option Erase Free Space. It will then show all the connected drives on your Mac machine. Please choose the drive on which you deleted the files.

Step 3. Select the data erasure standard to erase the deleted files.

Click the Erase Now button to continue. You will then be asked to choose a data erasure standard. Select one of the data erasure algorithms from the drop-down menu.

Step 4. Start the data erasure process.

Click the Continue button to start.It will start to erase the free space to wipe the deleted data on the drive.

After the process is done, it will wipe all the data on the free space of the selected drive. It will also wipe the deleted files on the drive. The deleted files will then not be recovered in any way.

The software can also erase an entire drive and all the existing and lost data on the drive can be wiped permanently. Besides, you can shred specified files/folders directly and don't need to delete them first. However, please note that the erased data is not recoverable anymore. Please ensure to back up the needed and important data first before you erase the data with the software. Should you need to erase any data or drive on Mac, we suggest you download and use the software Donemax Data Eraser. It will help you erase data completely and securely.

Conclusion

Many users may think deleting files and emptying the Trash will permanently erase the files from Mac. Actually, the deleted files are not gone forever. The deleted data can still be recovered before the data is overwritten by new data.

If you need to ensure the deleted files is gone for good due to privacy security or policy, you should wipe the deleted files permanently. You can use a reliable data wiping tool, like Donemax Data Eraser for Mac, to overwrite the free space of the drive. This operation can ensure the deleted data on the drive is completely erased. Then there will be no chance to recover the deleted files.

It's necessary to wipe the deleted files or erase a hard drive in some cases. When you need to sell a Mac or a drive, it's essential to remove and permanently wipe the data to keep your personal information safe.

FAQs about Erasing Deleted Files on Mac

Donemax Data Eraser for Mac

100% safe and powerful Mac data erasure program. It offers certified data erasure standards including U.S. Army AR380-19, DoD 5220.22-M ECE to securely and permanently erase data from Mac HDD/SSD and external storage devices, making data recovery impossible.

 Download for macOS