Forum Discussion
Can I recover files after emptying the Mac Trash? Help!
- Feb 19, 2025
Don't worry, there is still a chance to recover files after emptying the Mac Trash, as long as too much new data is not written. You can try the AiseeeSoft data recovery first. I have used it to successfully recover emptied photos and documents before.
I followed this tutorial: (worked for me)
https://www.pctipdaily.com/recover-deleted-files-mac
Sometimes, files aren‘t fully deleted but remain hidden. You can use these commands to recover deleted files after emptying the trash on any Mac.
Step 1: Check for Hidden or Inaccessible Files
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true; killall Finder
Open Finder and check if your deleted files are still visible. If found, move them to a different location.
Step 2: Search for Recently Deleted Files Using fs_usage
The fs_usage command can track file deletions.
sudo fs_usage -w | grep -i "deleted"
Look for file paths in the output. If you find the path of a deleted file, try checking that location manually.
Step 3: Locate Deleted Files in /private/var
Some deleted files may still be recoverable in temporary directories.
sudo find /private/var -name "*.yourfileextension"
Replace yourfileextension with the file type, e.g., pdf, jpg, docx. If you find files, try copying them to a safe location.