How to Safely Empty Trash on Mac

It's a fact that when we delete files on Mac, it goes into the trash bin but is not completely deleted. Learn how to empty trash on Mac safely in this new article!

Part 1. How to Delete A File on MacPart 2. How to Empty Trash on MacPart 3. How to Safely Empty Trash on MacPart 4. Bonus Tip: Moving Locked Files to the TrashPart 5. Summary

Part 1. How to Delete A File on Mac

The more frequently we use our devices, the more files we store and the more trash we make. By simply deleting a file or a group of files, we are transferring them into the trash bin or recycle bin. This folder saves all the unneeded and unnecessary files inside Mac.

There are three known methods on how to delete a file on Mac:

1. Drag and drop file/s onto the trash icon in the dock
2. Right-click on the desired file/s and click Move to Trash from the given options
3. Click on the exact file/s and press Command+Delete to move it into the Trash bin

However, these methods do not exactly delete the files of your Mac. They are stored inside the Trash bin and remain there until you finally empty out the Trash folder. Check out how to empty trash on Mac in the next part below.

Part 2. How to Empty Trash on Mac

The reason why files stay inside the Trash bin is for you to recover them in case you accidentally deleted them, or for recovery purposes. If you are sure that you no longer needed any of the files inside the Trash folder then you can go ahead and delete them to save more space on the disk.

Yes, the trash bin also accumulates a lot of space in Mac, and sometimes one of the suspects is why you are experiencing slowness.

1. Click and hold on the Trash bin icon from the Dock
2. Select Empty Trash from the popup window.

Another way:

You can empty the Trash from any open Finder window by holding down the Command+Shift key and pressing delete

Securely Empty Trash Bin:

There is another method that would let your Mac empty the trash folder by default by changing the system preferences and letting it erase files securely:

1. Open Finder
2. Click on the menu
3. Choose Preferences
4. Check Empty Trash Securely

Now you have successfully emptied the Trash bin on your Mac, but did you know that those files are not destroyed? They were only deleted but are still subject to overwriting when Mac needs a space to use. In case you run a recovery using professional software, you will still see traces of these files intact. This leaves all your important deleted contents susceptible to identity or data theft.

Good thing, you can securely empty the trash and destroy the files at the same time. Read along to find out how.

Part 3. How to Safely Empty Trash on Mac

The easiest way to safely and securely empty trash on Mac is to use TechyCub Mac Cleaner. By using this program, you will have the option to delete the trash bin and shred the important files. TechyCub Mac Cleaner has all the essential tools any Mac user will need especially when it comes to optimizing its performance and protecting it from breaches of data.

It has the following excellent features:

• Speed up your Mac in a few simple clicks
• Scans Mac quickly and clean junk smoothly
• Checks the primary status of the Mac including the disk usage, CPU status, memory usage, etc...
• Finds the same picture files & easily detects duplicates
• Filters scanned results according to the file name, order by size, time, etc

8 Essential Tools inside TechyCub Mac Cleaner

1. System Status
2. Mac Cleaner
3. Similar Image Finder
4. Duplicate Files Finder
5. Mac App Uninstaller
6. Extensions Manager
7. Browser Privacy Cleanup
8. File Shredder

How to use TechyCub Mac Cleaner:

Mac Cleaner Scan your Mac quickly and clean junk files easily. Check the primary status of your Mac including the disk usage, CPU status, memory usage, etc. Speed up your Mac with simple clicks. Free Download

• Download, install, and launch software onto your Mac
• Choose Junk Cleaner and click Scan
• View and select unwanted files on Mac
• Click Clean to start cleaning up the trash files

There are other vital tools you can use in case you want to maximize this software. If needed, you can also go to the Toolkit from the menu and click on File Shredder to ensure that your files and other important data such as financial and personal records will be destroyed and no longer be readable.

People Also Read How to Know If An App Is Not Safe on Mac? How to Fix the Problem of External Hard Drive Not Showing up on Mac

Part 4. Bonus Tip: Moving Locked Files to the Trash

In some cases, there are locked files saved inside our devices. Locked files are displayed with a lock badge in the lower-left corner of their icons. We normally do this to prevent changes and deletions.

You cannot move a locked file into the trash bin and if you do so, it will cause an alert dialogue to pop up if you try and delete the file/s. Here are the steps on how to move locked files to the trash conveniently:

1. First, we need to unlock the file. To unlock, right-click or control-click on the file/folder in the Finder and select Get Info. You can also click on the file and press Command-I
2. Open General section
3. Deselect the Locked checkbox

That's it! Once the file/folder is unlocked, then you can move the file/folder into the trash icon.

Note: Locking a file or folder only prevents you or any user to make changes, modify and delete the said contents, however, it does not mean that it is password protected. There is another option for that manner.

Part 5. Summary

We finally learned how to empty trash on Mac using different options. However, it is still unsecured in case there are important files stored in the trash bin. For a better, safer, and more secure option, use TechyCub Mac Cleaner.

By using this program, you will get several benefits including cleanup and optimization, diagnosis and system analysis, and data protection through file shredding. Your Mac should be your personal virtual and paperless library and so it must keep up with your activities without latency and the threat of security.

Have you heard about TechyCub Mac Cleaner? Try this program today and you will surely see and experience the difference!

Mac Cleaner Scan your Mac quickly and clean junk files easily. Check the primary status of your Mac including the disk usage, CPU status, memory usage, etc. Speed up your Mac with simple clicks. Free Download