Whether you want to learn new ways to delete files, how to effectively force-empty the Trash, or how to let macOS do the dirty work for you, we’ve got the answers. Let’s discuss the best Trash tips for Mac.

Move Files to the Trash in macOS

When it comes to trashing files using Finder, you have several options. Everyone operates differently, so you can choose the method that best suits your style.

If you prefer to combat unwanted items with your keyboard, you can do so with a simple key combination:

Click to highlight the item you want to delete. Press Cmd + Delete.

That’s it. Using this key combo should swiftly send any highlighted items directly to the Trash. If you feel that you’ve made a mistake, press Cmd + Z to undo the action and return the file to its original location.

Perhaps you’re more of a point-and-click type of person. If so, here’s how you can delete files in macOS using your mouse or trackpad:

Control-click the item you want to delete. Click Move to Trash.

Alternatively, you can highlight the item and select File > Move to Trash from the menu bar. If you prefer to use drag and drop when deleting files, dragging an item into the Trash will achieve the same outcome.

Also, if you need to, you can immediately reverse the action and restore the deleted file by clicking Edit > Undo in Finder.

Restore Deleted Files in macOS

If you’ve deleted an important item and the undo option isn’t available, you can restore any file or folder in the Trash by following these steps:

Open the Trash. Locate the item you want to restore. Control-click the file and choose Put Back.

Alternatively, you can highlight the item and choose File > Put Back from the menu bar. If you’d prefer to use your keyboard, Cmd + Delete will restore any selected files in the Trash.

Ideally, you should always back up your Mac using Time Machine or another method to avoid accidentally losing important data.

Multiple Methods for Emptying the Trash in macOS

Emptying the Trash may seem like a simple process, but, as with most things, you have several different methods to choose from. Force emptying allows you to remove stubborn files, and a scheduled approach can help keep your system clean. We’ll discuss the more basic options first.

Empty the Trash

To empty the Trash the standard way, follow these steps:

Open the Trash. Click the Empty button. Click Empty Trash to confirm when prompted.

Alternatively, you can Control-click anywhere in the Trash folder and choose Empty Trash. You’ll also find the same option in the Finder menu.

Force Empty the Trash

Force emptying can help remove stubborn files that refuse to leave the Trash folder. Here’s how it works:

Open the Trash. Hold the Option key and click Empty.

The Trash folder will close, and you won’t receive a warning message before macOS removes the files from your system. Force emptying is one of the first steps you should try if you can’t empty the Trash at all.

Automatically Empty the Trash

If you don’t want to have to monitor your Trash folder, you can use the scheduled empty option in macOS. Here’s how to configure the feature:

Go to Finder > Preferences > Advanced. Tick Remove items from the Trash after 30 days.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t allow you to change the time after which macOS removes files from the Trash. However, 30 days is generally long enough for you to notice if something important has gone missing and short enough to keep your system clean. With that said, many of us would welcome a little more control over the feature.

Trash in macOS Is Fit for Purpose

Trash may not be the most exciting aspect of macOS, but it is necessary. Without an effective way to deal with deleted files, your system would soon succumb to chaos.

Many of us don’t pay any attention to the Trash folder and its features, which means it’s probably doing its job well. If you barely notice a thing, it likely isn’t broken.

With several different ways to delete files and manage unwanted items, Trash in macOS is a flexible feature.