As you use your Mac computer frequently, files that are no longer in use will accumulate and may lead to slowing down the computer. Most people would want to get rid of these files to keep their computer running smoothly, and they opt to drag the files to the trash bin. But what if you accidentally delete an important file or you want to restore a file that you’ve deleted from the trash bin? In this blog post, we will discuss different methods on how to get trash back on Mac, as well as what to do if you can’t.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Get Trash Back on Mac?
The trash bin on a Mac computer is a convenient option when deleting files. It allows you to retrieve deleted files with ease. However, circumstances may arise where you accidentally delete a file, or you realize at a later time that you need a file that you’ve deleted earlier. Knowing how to get trash back on Mac can save you from the stress of losing important documents, music, videos, or pictures. Below are some reasons why you need to know how to retrieve deleted files from trash.
- You may accidentally delete a file that you didn’t intend to.
- You may delete a file but later realize you still need it.
- You may experience a computer crash that causes data loss.
- You may need to recover files if the computer’s hard drive fails.
Method 1: Use Time Machine Backup
Time Machine is a built-in backup feature on Mac computers. It periodically backs up all the files on the Mac to an external drive, making sure that all files are secured and can be recovered anytime. If you’ve lost a file or accidentally deleted a file, then Time Machine could be your best option in retrieving the deleted files. Here are the steps to follow:
- Ensure that the external hard drive where you backed up your files is connected to the Mac.
- Click on the Time Machine icon located on the menu bar and select "Enter Time Machine."
- Search for the lost file by scrolling through the dates and times to find the last copy of the deleted file.
- Select the file when you’ve found it and click on the "Restore" button to retrieve the file.
Pros:
- Time Machine can restore any version of the file that was backed up.
- It can backup all types of files, including system files.
Cons:
- You need an external hard drive to use the Time Machine feature, which means additional costs for the hardware.
- Time Machine backup can take up a lot of space on the external drive, depending on the number of file versions being backed up.
Method 2: Use Mac Data Recovery Software
Another way to get trash back on Mac is to use data recovery software. These programs can scan the Mac’s hard drive to locate and retrieve deleted files, even from the emptied trash bin. Here are the steps to take when using Mac data recovery software:
- Download and install a reliable data recovery tool for Mac.
- Launch the data recovery software and select the location where the file was once located.
- Click "Scan" to scan the chosen location for deleted files.
- Preview the recovered files and select the file you want to recover and then click "Restore."
Pros:
- Provides an efficient and speedy way to retrieve deleted files.
- It doesn’t require any additional hardware like an external hard drive, as the software scans the Mac’s hard drive directly.
Cons:
- The software can be costly, and you may need to try more than one program to find the right one that works for you.
- There’s no guarantee that all your deleted files will be recovered, as some files may be lost completely.
Method 3: Restore from iCloud
If you’ve recently deleted files and have iCloud set up on your Mac, then you may be able to retrieve your deleted files from iCloud. Here are the steps:
- Open a web browser, go to http://www.icloud.com and sign in using your Apple ID.
- On the main iCloud page, click "Settings."
- Scroll down to the bottom of the settings page and look for "Advanced".
- Click on "Restore Files."
- Select the file that you want to recover from the list of available files that were backed up.
- Click "Restore," and the file will be restored to your Mac
Pros:
- You can access your deleted files from anywhere with an internet connection
- You can restore files up to 30 days after the file has been deleted.
Cons:
- It requires an internet connection and access to iCloud, without which access to lost files is limited.
- You need to have set up iCloud backup before files were lost.
What to Do If You Can’t Get Trash Back on Mac
If you’ve tried all the methods above and still can’t retrieve your deleted files, it may be time to accept that the file is gone for good. Nevertheless, there are a few tips that you can follow to avoid such incidents in the future:
- Regularly back up your files using Time Machine or another backup software.
- Don’t delete files unless you are sure they are no longer required or have been backed up.
- Be careful when emptying the trash bin to ensure you don’t delete files that are still needed.
- Check the trash bin before you empty it, just in case there are any files that you would like to keep.
Bonus Tip
If you want to avoid accidentally deleting files, you can create a folder on your desktop called "DO NOT DELETE" and move any files that you don’t want to lose into it. You can also create a shortcut key for the trash bin to avoid opening the trash bin and accidentally deleting files by pressing ⌘ + Shift + Delete.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can you recover deleted files from the trash after emptying it?
A: Yes, you can recover deleted files from the trash, even after emptying it, by using data recovery software.
Q2: Why is it important to regularly back up files?
A: Regular file backups are important to ensure that you can retrieve deleted files in case of an accident or data loss.
Q3: Can I recover files from an external hard drive?
A: Yes, you can retrieve deleted files from an external hard drive by using software such as Time Machine.
Q4: How to avoid accidentally deleting files on Mac?
A: You can avoid accidental file deletion by double-checking files before deleting them and creating a folder on your desktop where you can store important files.
Q5: Can deleted files be recovered from iCloud?
A: Yes, files can be recovered from iCloud as long as the files were backed up to the cloud.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to get trash back on Mac can save you from the stress of losing important files. In this blog post, we have provided you with three methods that you can use to retrieve deleted files, as well as what you can do if you are unable to recover your files. To avoid data loss, it’s important to back up your files regularly and be careful when deleting files. With the tips and tricks provided in this blog, you can retrieve your lost data and prevent such incidents from happening in the future.