How to Delete Files From Mac Permanently – Guide
Macs are known to last a long time. You’re more likely to replace your Mac because it’s too old to use the next version of the OS than because it breaks. However, if you do decide to replace your Mac, be sure to safely delete all of your personal files before recycling or selling it. This will ensure that your deleted files cannot be recovered by the next owner. Whether you need to securely delete files from your hard drive depends on whether you are using a regular hard drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). You don’t need to securely delete files on an SSD. Your Mac has limited storage space, so it’s a good idea to delete files and folders you no longer need to make room for new ones. This could mean emptying the Downloads folder, deleting old documents, or looking for hidden Mac files that are still being up space.
Why are Macs with Flash Storage (SSD) important?
Simply put, it takes less effort to completely remove files if your Mac is equipped with an SSD. This is primarily because a solid state drive (SSD) works differently than a hard disk drive (HDD), especially if your internal Macintosh drive uses the TRIM command. To avoid the Mac slowdown that traditional spinning hard drives tend to cause, Trim allows macOS to instantly erase blocks of data that are no longer in use – as soon as you delete the files, emptying the trash, or using something similar tricks get rid of files like Command + Del or Command + Opt + Backspace. This TRIM technique accelerates up the data access process and has the side benefit that no one can recover deleted files from an SSD-based Mac.
How to check if your Mac has SSD or HDD
Depending on the type of Mac computer you are using, MacBook Pro / Air, iMac or Mac Pro / Mini, it may be equipped with a different type of storage media. For example, most new MacBooks now come with an SSD, while some iMac models even have the option to choose between Fusion Drive and Flash Storage. To find out, just click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of your Mac screen and go to About This Mac > Storage just below the hard drive icon and you’ll see a line like this (in red). Clearly indicates whether your Mac has a solid state SATA drive or a spinning hard drive.
How do I permanently delete files on an SSD-based Mac?
Is easy. Simply drag files to the Trash or right-click and choose Move to Trash, open the Trash app and choose Permanently Delete or Empty Trash. That’s it! However, if you are still paranoid and want to make sure that the deleted files are 100% unrecoverable, you can use CleanMyMac. Here it is how to Completely erase unwanted files or folders with the application:
How do I permanently delete files on Mac with HDD?
You will need to use a third-party Mac shredder application. CleanMyMac is our top recommendation. If you prefer a dedicated file shredding application, you can also try this one called BitRaser for File – a professional data erasure utility that lets you remove files from your Mac and make them unrecoverable.
Final note
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