Top 3 Ways to Secure Delete Files on Mac

Recoverit Editorial Team

Oct 22, 2026 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

⚡ Quick Answer: How to Securely Delete Files on Mac?

Securely deleting files removes all traces of data so it can't be recovered. You can use the Terminal command rm -P filename to overwrite and delete a file, enable TRIM with sudo trimforce enable on SSD drives to wipe empty space, or create an encrypted disk image with Disk Utility and delete the .dmg file afterward. Remember that emptying the Trash alone does not permanently remove files from your Mac.

By now, you probably know of the many ways to delete files on your Mac, but do you know how to securely delete those files? Probably not. Do you even know what it is meant by the "secure deletion of files?" Probably not.

Securely deleting files means you delete them and make sure they have been completely removed from your system with no traces or residual files left behind.

You might not be aware of this little but necessary piece of info, but emptying Trash doesn't mean your files are gone. Your Mac just makes them invisible, so to speak.

The one way you can be sure they're not in your Mac is when you securely delete them. You will be instructed on the top 3 ways to do that in this post.

Part 1: Why You Should Securely Delete Files on Mac

There is often an advantage and disadvantage to everything and securely deleting files is certainly no exception. It might seem counterintuitive to permanently delete files because there is a chance you might want them back, but look at this simple example: What if you are in dire need of space in your drive but you don't know what's taking it up? Secure deletion comes into play here. Below are more reasons why you should employ this feature.

• Reliability: Secure deletion doesn't just remove directory entries — it deletes the files multiple times until none of it can be recovered, so even programmers can't get the data back.
• Security: Total deletion means nosy individuals can't recover your personal files, no matter how tech-savvy they are. Selling your drive? No sensitive data will be recoverable.
• Versatility: It removes the need to purchase third-party software for secure file deletion.
• Prevents hard drive errors: Manually formatting your drive can pile up errors that damage it. Securely deleting unneeded files is safer and helps the drive perform better and last longer.

Part 2: Top 3 Ways to Securely Delete Files on Mac

What's better than one way to securely delete files? THREE ways to securely delete files. As you would expect, Mac gives you several options on making sure that embarrassing photo you took during summer vacation will never be seen by prying eyes.

You can easily make use of any of the three options, but you are advised to settle with the one which appeals to you the most. You don't have to worry about how effective each is because they all get the job done.

🔍 Top 3 Secure Deletion Methods Compared

Solution 1: Securely Delete Files with Mac Terminal

Apple removed the old srm command from macOS Sierra onward, but you can still securely delete files with the rm command using its -P overwrite option.

1. Click the Apple Menu and select System Preferences.
2. Click Keyboard, then click the Shortcuts tab at the top of the window.
3. Look to the left and click Services. Make sure New Terminal at Folder is checked.

4. Open Finder and navigate to the folder containing the files to be securely deleted.
5. Right-click the folder (without opening it), hover over Services, and click New Terminal at Folder.

6. In the Terminal window, type rm -P PrivateFile.txt (replace PrivateFile.txt with your actual file name) and press Enter/Return to securely delete it.

Solution 2: Securely Delete Files Using TRIM

Macs with SSD drives include the TRIM tool, which automatically clears data in "not in use" space. You must enable it manually with the trimforce command.

1. Launch Terminal.
2. Type sudo trimforce enable and press Enter.
3. When prompted for permission, type y and press Enter.
4. Type y once more and press Enter to confirm that your Mac can reboot after TRIM is enabled.

That's it — TRIM is now enabled and will wipe empty space on your drive automatically.

Solution 3: Securely Delete Files via Encrypted Disk Image

Create an encrypted disk image with Disk Utility, move the files into it, then delete the .dmg — the encrypted contents become irrecoverable.

Step A: Create an Encrypted Disk Image

1. Open Applications and click the Utilities folder.
2. In Disk Utility, click File > New Image > Blank Image.

3. In the dialogue box, type a name ending in .dmg, choose a Where location, and specify a Size (e.g. 100 MB).
4. Choose Encryption — select 128-bit AES encryption for an effective balance of security and speed, then enter a password twice.
5. Click Choose, then Save. Click Done when the operation completes.

Step B: Move Files and Delete the Image

1. Double-click the new disk image in the Disk Images category of Disk Utility.

2. Move the files or folders to be securely deleted into the mounted image.
3. Right-click the image icon and choose Eject to close and lock the disk image.

4. Drag the .dmg file to the Trash. All the files inside it are now encrypted, securely deleted, and gone for good.

Even if someone recovers the file remnants, none of them will be readable.

Part 3 How to Retrieve Deleted Files on Mac

The whole point of deleting files is so they can never be recovered, so wouldn't you be in a pretty right pickle if you delete something that's so important you use it daily?

That would be a very unsavory situation to be in. Incredibly, there is one software out there that can bypass even the powerful algorithm used to delete files, meaning the software can easily recover them once more. It's called Recoverit Mac Data Recovery. Follow the steps below to retrieve your deleted data

How to Retrieve Securely Deleted Files on Mac with Recoverit

Wondershare Recoverit Mac Data Recovery can bypass even the powerful algorithms used to delete files, so your deleted data can be retrieved once more.

1. Choose a location: Launch Recoverit, select the hard drive where the files were deleted from under Hard Disk Drives, and click Start.

2. Scan the location: Use filters like File Type and File Path to speed up the scan. You can stop or pause it at any time — when it completes, Recoverit lists the deleted files in a preview window.

3. Preview & recover: Tick the files to be recovered and click Recover. In minutes, your deleted files are restored — just don't save them to the same location they occupied before.

Part 4: Tips for Securely Erasing Files on Mac

• Always have it at the back of your mind that file removal on Mac doesn't end with moving your files to Trash. Tools can be used to recover them unless you securely delete them.
• Even after files are deleted, you can securely erase the "free disk space" left behind.
• If for any reason, you are not comfortable with Mac's native tools capable of secure file deletion, third-party options are available for you to try and perform the same functions.
• Secure deletion is particularly important if you're running a business and need to remove confidential or sensitive information
• Thoroughly check the files to be securely deleted before you perform the action lest you delete something important.

Closing Words

Security is never a topic that should be taken lightly. In the wrong hands, the information you possess could prove disastrous, and that's no exaggeration.

Many businesses rely on sensitive information to stay afloat, so anything that jeopardizes this information is a great risk.

Stolen systems and malware attacks are potent avenues for unauthorized access to your Mac and sensitive information. Securely delete your files to make sure no one can ever gain access to them.

However, as long as your Mac remains with you, you'll need a way to recover deleted files because accidents are inevitable. Recoverit Mac Data Recovery rectifies the errors you made and gets your files back, so it should be a necessary component of your Mac.