How to Recover Emptied Trash on Mac?[2024 Updated]

4 Proven Ways to Recover Emptied Trash on Mac [Free & Paid]

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When you delete files or folders on your Mac computer, the Trash bin will save them for a certain period. Deleted items can be easily restored from there If you change your mind. However, sometimes you might empty the Trash bin without realizing that it contains files you accidentally deleted. Panic sets in when you search for 'Can you recover trash on Mac after emptying?' on Google. Fret not! In this blog post, we will explore how to recover emptied Trash on Mac, including free methods and software options. Also, we will drop some tips on avoiding data loss in the future Let's get going!

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Part 1: Can You Recover Trash on Mac after Emptying?

The answer is yes, it's achievable to recover items from emptied Trash on Mac. However, most Apple products (such as iMac and MacBook) are now equipped with SSDs, which make data recovery more difficult. This is mainly because SSDs use a technology called TRIM. When you empty the Trash bin on Mac, the TRIM command prompts the SSD to clear the actual data immediately. Conversely, in traditional HDDs, deleted data often remains on the drive until it's overwritten by new data. Stop asking "How to recover files on Mac after empty Trash" on Apple support community! Taking action early can greatly increase the chances of a successful recovery.

Part 2: The Simplest Way to Recover Emptied Trash on Mac

The bad news is that macOS doesn't offer a native program for retrieving permanently deleted files. Therefore, for a successful recovery, you will need to check all backup drives you have or employ third-party data recovery software. Tenorshare 4DDiG is one recommended tool for Mac data recovery. It is user-friendly for computer novices and can recover items from emptied Trash on Mac in just three simple steps. Take a look at the highlights of 4DDiG Mac data recovery:

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l? Retrieves permanently deleted files on Mac with a high success rate.

l? Supports recovery of 2000+ file types, such as videos, images, documents, archives, and more.

l? Restores deleted files from iCloud directory.

l? Allows Mac users to verify the type and content of files before recovery.

l? Fast scanning and recovery speeds.

l? Runs on the lastest macOS.

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The following steps demonstrate how to recover emptied Trash on Mac with the assistance of this tool:

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Step 1: To begin, download and install this recovery tool on your Mac. Run the program and choose the Trash under "Common Location". Then, hit the "Start" button to scan your computer.

Step 2: 4DDiG will start scanning your internal hard disk and find all the files that were deleted from the Trash. On the left side of the panel, you can click on the 'Type' or 'Path' options to locate the desired files.

Step 3: Once completed, preview the lost files that 4DDiG finds and choose the ones you wish to restore. Finally, simply click the "Recover" button.

Part 3: 3 Top Ways to Recover Emptied Trash on Mac for Free

Method 1: Recover Emptied Trash from Time Machine

A Time Machine backup is a great way to recover emptied Trash on Mac for free. This built-in feature allows you to restore individual files or the entire system from a backup. But the bad news is that this tool will only be helpful if you created a backup before emptying the Trash. Additionally, for quick recovery, you have to remember where your lost files were originally stored. Here is how to recover items from emptied Trash on Mac via Time machine:

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Step 1: Start by connecting the backup drive to your Mac. Typically, you'll see the Time Machine icon in the menu bar. Click it and opt for "Enter Time Machine" to proceed.

Step 2: Use the timeline to navigate to the date before you emptied the Trash. If you remember the folder or path where the deleted files were, go to that location.

Step 3: Select the files you need by clicking on them. Simply click the "Restore" button to bring them back.

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Method 2: Recover Emptied Trash from iCloud

If you want to recover emptied Trash on Mac for free, then iCloud is usually the go-to choice. Once iCloud Drive is enabled, all files on your Apple devices will be automatically synced and backed up, including those that seemed to have been lost forever. To do so:

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Step 1: Open Safari or Google Chrome on your Mac, and then navigate to iCloud.com.

Step 2: Once logged in, click on iCloud Drive to view your files.

Step 3: You might get lucky and find the deleted files within the "Recents" folder. Select them, click on three-dot icon and choose "Download a copy."

Step 4: Alternatively, go to the "Recently Deleted" folder. The deleted files might be there and can be recovered from any Apple device.

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Method 3: Use App-Specific Recovery Features

Mac users often ask questions like 'How to recover files from Recycle Bin after empty Mac?' on online Q&A forums and help sites. In fact, many applications, especially Microsoft Word and Excel, offer an Autosave feature to reduce the risk of data loss. This is very useful because it automatically saves your documents to the cloud. You can usually recover previous versions of lost files from the version history in OneDrive or SharePoint. Unfortunately, the method is not 100% free, as the Autosave feature is only available to Microsoft Office 365 subscribers.

Part 4: What to Do If All Methods Fail to Recover Emptied Trash on Mac?

Before you give up and move on, you should reach out to a reputable data recovery service and let professionals to handle the job. They have sophisticated tools and plenty of experience for recovering data that is beyond the capabilities of commercial software. Furturemore, many services offer a free consultation to assess the likelihood of recovery. This means you won't have to worry about wasting time and money on data that might not be recoverable. That's everything related to the question, 'How to recover files on a Mac after emptying the Trash!

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Bonus: How to Prevent Data Loss on Your Mac in the Future?

Now you should no longer be puzzled by the question, 'How to recover files on Mac after empty Trash?' Besides accidental deletion, there are many different reasons behind data loss on a Mac. Some common ones include system crashes, hardware failures, virus attacks, formatting errors, and more. Here's what you can do to losing important files in the future:

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l? Double-check before you hit the Empty Trash button. Make sure all important files are saved in a secure location.

l? Create a backup plan for your data. It's always a good idea to utilize Time Machine along with iCloud.

l? Keep your OS and antivirus software up to date. Regularly perform a full scan on your Mac and storage devices.

l? Use a third-party tool like DriveDx to check the health of your Mac's hard drive periodically. If the drive shows any signs of corruption, contact a professional for repair.

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Final Thoughts

Now, that’s the answer to your question: "Can you recover Trash on Mac after emptying?" We've shared five solutions in this article to recover items from emptied Trash on Mac. If you're in search of the easiest method for Mac data recovery, then give Tenorshare 4DDiG a try. With a 96% success rate, this tool is highly rated by Mac users. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that the files you have deleted from the Trash can always be restored. The key to success is to stop using your Mac computer and take action immediately.