Forum Discussion
JosephKim
Feb 06, 2026Iron Contributor
How to permanently delete files on mac without any chance of recovery
Hi everyone, Decided to trade in my MacBook Pro M2 soon, and before handing it over I want to make sure my personal files are permanently deleted with no chance of recovery. Simply deleting files or...
EmersonGrove
Feb 06, 2026Iron Contributor
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.