How To Empty Trash on Mac Securely

Users should note that simply emptying the Trash does not delete the files inside it. What it does is tell the system to mark the space on the drive occupied by the files in the Trash as available to be overwritten. As such, with varying degrees of success, deleted files could potentially be restored. Users who wish to make sure that the deleted data is erased completely need to perform a Secure Empty Trash. This was a feature available in older macOS versions but apple removed it with the release of El Capitan. After all, the method of secure erase was designed for HDDs and doesn't work on solid-state drives (SSD), which all Macs produced after 2012 come equipped with. Still, there are a couple of methods to securely delete data on your Mac.

Using Terminal to delete files

Terminal is an incredibly powerful tool that comes built-in with every macOS. Users must exercise caution while using it because entering and executing the wrong command could have drastic consequences. Still, Terminal can often achieve the same result but much faster than the other methods. To delete files through Terminal, however, we must enable it as a service in the right-click menu.

1. Go to the Apple menu.
2. Select 'System Preferences.'
3. Open 'Keyboard.'
4. Choose 'Services.'
5. Locate the 'New Terminal at Folder' option and make sure it is ticked.

Now users will be able to apply Terminal commands to a specific folder. 

1. Put all data you wish to erase in a new folder.
2. Right-click the folder. 
3. From the available options, go to 'Services.'
4. Select 'New Terminal at Folder.'
5. In the Terminal window, write or paste the rm -P Filename.extension command. Naturally, substitute 'Filename.extension' with the name and extension of the file you wish to erase.
6. Press Enter to execute the command and delete the files.

Delete files directly

Mac users also can opt to forgo sending the files they delete to the Trash and instead remove them immediately. Keep in mind that this is not as powerful as a secure delete. 

1. Select the file you wish to delete.
2. Click on 'File' in the top menu.
3. Press and hold the Option key on your keyboard.
4. A 'Delete immediately' option should appear in the menu.
5. Select it to delete the file without first moving it to the Trash.