Secure Empty Trash on Mac Big Sur: How to Securely Delete Files on MacOS 11?

macOS Big Sur Securely Emptying Trash: A Comprehensive Guide

Apple's removal of the Secure Empty Trash function in OS X El Capitan left many Mac users seeking alternative methods for permanently deleting files. This article explores various techniques to securely empty your Trash on macOS Big Sur, ensuring data irretrievability.

Understanding Secure Empty Trash

Secure Empty Trash, present in older macOS versions, overwrote deleted files with random data, making recovery extremely difficult. Standard emptying of the Trash only removes file location information; the actual data remains on the disk.

Methods for Secure File Deletion on macOS Big Sur

While the dedicated Secure Empty Trash feature is gone, several methods achieve the same result:

1. Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Delete a file: Option Command Delete
• Move to Trash: Command Delete
• Empty Trash: Command Option Shift Delete

2. Finder: Quickly remove files from common locations:

1. Open Finder (Command Shift G).
2. Navigate to and delete files from: ~/Downloads, ~/Library/Caches, ~/Documents.

3. Disk Utility: A more thorough approach:

1. Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility).
2. Select your hard drive.
3. Click "Erase," choose "Security Options," select "Secure Erase Mode," and click "Erase."

4. Emptying the Trash (Multiple Methods):

• Method 1 (Quickest): Right-click the Trash icon and select "Empty Trash."
• Method 2 (Visual Confirmation): Open the Trash, click "Empty," or right-click and select "Empty Trash."
• Method 3 (Automated): System Preferences > Advanced > Check "Remove items from Trash after 30 days."

5. Terminal: For advanced users:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type sudo rm -R, drag and drop Trash items into the Terminal window, press Enter, and enter your password.

6. Safe Mode: For files in use: Restart in Safe Mode (hold Shift key during startup), empty the Trash, and restart normally.

7. Third-Party Applications: Utilize apps like MacKeeper's Safe Cleanup for automated trash management.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method depends on your comfort level with technology and your need for speed versus thoroughness. For most users, the Finder method or the simple "Empty Trash" function will suffice. For more secure deletion, Disk Utility or Terminal are recommended. Third-party apps offer convenience for automated cleaning.

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