How to permanently delete files on mac without any chance of recovery

Factory reset or remote wipe is not 100% safe. You have to wipe the drive multiple times for permanently deleting files on mac.

If you're exploring ways to how to permanently delete files on Mac, one effective method is to use a script-based multi-pass approach that emulates the shred style of secure deletion. Since macOS doesn't include a native shred command like Linux, you can create scripts that overwrite files multiple times with random data before deleting them, making recovery virtually impossible.

Here's how to permanently delete files on Mac:

1. Script-Based Multi-Pass Overwriting: You write a script that overwrites the target files multiple times with random data. Each pass makes it increasingly difficult to recover the original content. This mimics the behavior of the shred command on Linux.

2. Implementation: The script reads the size of the file, then overwrites it multiple times—say, 3 to 7 passes—with random bytes generated on the fly. After completing all passes, the script deletes the file.

3. Advantages: This approach significantly enhances security for permanently deleting files, especially sensitive data, because it reduces the risk of data recovery using forensic tools.

4. Considerations: While effective, this method can be slow on large files and requires some familiarity with scripting (bash or other shell scripting). You can automate this process by creating a script that accepts files or folders as input and performs multi-pass overwriting before deletion.

Using a script-based multi-pass with shred-style emulation provides a robust way to permanently delete files on Mac. It ensures data is overwritten multiple times, making recovery virtually impossible, and is a good alternative when standard secure delete options are insufficient.

Note: Always test such scripts on non-sensitive data first, and ensure you have backups of important files before running destructive operations.

How to permanently delete files on Mac? Using a CoreStorage or LVM (Logical Volume Management) hack is a highly technical and advanced method that involves manipulating disk encryption and volume management. This approach can potentially make data unrecoverable by overwriting or destroying the underlying storage structures.

If you're asking how to permanently delete files on Mac using such methods, here’s a simplified explanation:

• Understanding CoreStorage and LVM: These are disk management systems that allow for flexible volume management and encryption. By manipulating these systems, a user could, in theory, securely delete data by encrypting or destroying the volume's key or data structures.
• The Hack: The idea involves either deleting the encrypted volume, destroying the logical volume, or overwriting the encrypted data at a low level, which makes recovery extremely difficult or impossible. For example, you might encrypt a volume with strong encryption, then securely delete the encryption key or wipe the volume, ensuring data cannot be retrieved.
• Risks and Limitations: This method is highly complex and can lead to data loss or system instability if done incorrectly. It often requires deep knowledge of disk management, command-line tools, and encryption.

In essence, while a CoreStorage/LVM hack can be used to permanently delete files on Mac by destroying the underlying data structures or encryption keys, it involves significant risks and technical challenges. It’s best reserved for advanced users who understand the potential consequences and have proper backups.

You can permanently delete files on Mac with Find my Mac remotely.

When a Mac is lost, stolen, or being reassigned, simply deleting files or erasing the device locally isn't always enough to ensure sensitive data is unrecoverable. For Macs with Apple silicon or the T2 Security Chip that are enrolled in Find My, you can use the remote erase feature via iCloud to not only wipe the device but also permanently delete all files by cryptographically destroying the encryption keys that make the data readable, rendering it securely and permanently inaccessible even if the physical storage is removed.

On any computer or mobile device, open a web browser and go to icloud.com/find. Sign in with the same Apple ID used on the lost Mac.

Click "All Devices" at the top of the Find My interface and select the Mac you wish to erase from the list.

With the device selected, click "Erase This Device." You may be prompted to enter a phone number or message that will appear on the Mac after erasure (this is optional, for recovery purposes).

A critical warning will state that erasing will remove all your data and that you cannot track the device afterward. You will also see an option to "Lock this device after it's erased." You must leave this option checked. This activation lock step is key to the permanent deletion, as it ensures the Mac remains linked to your Apple ID and prevents reactivation without your password. 

Click "Erase" to confirm. The command is now queued and will execute the next time the Mac has an active internet connection. This will permanently delete files from mac.

In summary, permanently deleting files via remote erase from iCloud is a powerful security feature for Apple silicon and T2-chip Macs with Find My enabled. The process involves logging into iCloud Find My, selecting the lost device, and sending an erase command that includes an activation lock. This action does not merely overwrite data but instead destroys the unique encryption keys, making all previous data permanently unrecoverable.

Using an AppleScript combined with an Automator Workflow is an effective way to permanently delete files on your Mac, providing a more secure method than simply moving files to Trash. If you're wondering how to permanently delete files on Mac, this approach automates the process and ensures files are erased without the possibility of recovery.

Here's a general overview of how it works:

1. Create an AppleScript: You write a script that instructs your Mac to securely delete files. For example, it can use the rm command or invoke the Secure Delete feature to overwrite data, making recovery impossible.

2. Build an Automator Workflow: You then integrate this AppleScript into an Automator workflow. This allows you to run the process as a quick action or application—so you can simply select files in Finder, right-click, and choose your custom workflow to delete files permanently.

3. Run the Workflow: When executed, the workflow prompts you to select files or folders, and then it securely deletes them based on your script.

Why use this method? It automates the process of how to permanently delete files on Mac, saving time and reducing the risk of accidental recovery. Plus, you can customize it to delete specific types of files or run it on demand.

This approach is especially valuable if you frequently need to securely wipe sensitive data. Keep in mind, however, that this method requires some familiarity with scripting and Automator.

How to permanently delete files on Mac and ensure they cannot be recovered? you need to securely delete them so that they are overwritten and unrecoverable.

1. Using "Secure Empty Trash" (older macOS versions)

Note: This feature was removed in macOS Sierra (10.12) and later, but if you're on an older version, you can use it:

Right-click on the Trash icon in the Dock

Hold down the Option key, then select Secure Empty Trash

This overwrites deleted files to make recovery difficult.

2. Using Terminal to securely delete files

How to permanently delete files on Mac? For macOS versions newer than Sierra, Apple removed the "Secure Empty Trash" option. Instead, you can securely delete files via command line:

a) Use rm with -P (do a single overwrite):

rm -P /path/to/file

The -P option overwrites regular files three times before deleting (secure delete).

Note: This method is limited and may not be entirely foolproof for very sensitive data.

b) Use srm (secure delete command)

Note: The srm command was deprecated in newer macOS versions, but if available, you can use:

srm /path/to/file

If srm isn't available, you may need to install it via third-party tools:

brew install coreutils

and then use gsecuredelete or other tools.

Permanent Eraser is a free, professional secure deletion tool for the Mac platform, available for download from the official website. It specialises in high-security file obliteration, employing the 35-pass Gutmann algorithm to permanently delete files on Mac. The utility also supports drag-and-drop operations and replaces the system Trash with a secure shredder, making it an essential tool for routinely clearing sensitive files.

How to permanently delete files on mac

1. Download the appropriate installer from the official website and launch the software

2. Drag-and-drop deletion: Directly drag files or folders requiring permanent deletion into the software window; confirmation will execute secure deletion

3. Right-click quick deletion: After installation, right-click files in Finder and select relevant deletion options without opening the main programme

4. Secure Trash: Enable the ‘Replace Trash with Secure Trash’ feature within the software. This replaces the original system Trash with a secure version, where dragged files are automatically deleted using secure algorithms.

5. Open the software's preferences to select deletion algorithms, configure post-deletion notifications, preserve file directory structures, and adjust other settings as required.

Disadvantages

• Supports only mechanical hard drives, with poor compatibility for solid-state drives. Due to SSD wear levelling mechanisms, traditional overwrite algorithms cannot achieve precise data coverage.

• Limited functionality, focusing solely on secure deletion without advanced features such as file shredding or partition erasure.

• Lacks batch custom deletion capabilities, preventing the application of different deletion algorithms to distinct files, thereby restricting personalised operations.

Reinstalling macOS represents the most thorough security measure for Mac devices, achieving permanently delete files on mac by fully erasing the disk prior to system reinstallation. This approach is ideal for scenarios requiring complete data clearance—such as device transfer, sale, or disposal—and constitutes the most definitive solution for irreversible file removal.

Step 1: Preliminary Preparations

1. Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable power source to prevent system damage from power loss during reinstallation

2. No data backup is required; transfer any necessary files to external storage beforehand.

Step 2: Data Erasure

1. Restart your Mac, press and hold the Cmd+R keys immediately upon startup, releasing them only after the Apple logo/recovery interface appears.

2. Disk erasure:

   Within the recovery interface, select Disk Utility and click Continue;

   Select your Mac's system startup disk from the left pane.

   Click Erase at the top, select 7-pass Secure Erase in the erasure settings, then confirm erasure.

   After disk erasure completes, close Disk Utility and return to the main recovery interface.

3. Within the Recovery interface, select Reinstall macOS and follow the prompts to complete the process, ensuring a stable internet connection throughout.

4. Following reinstallation, your Mac will be in a fresh system state. Simply complete the guided basic setup process.

Final outcome

• The fresh macOS system ensures all original data, apps, and settings on the device are completely erased, achieving the ultimate effect of permanently delete files on mac.