Delete files and folders on your Mac

Desired Outcome

How to delete files and where they go
Where to find deleted files and permanently erase or recover

Step-by-Step Guide

At any time, you can get rid of files, folders and other items that you no longer need. You start by dragging items to the Bin in the Dock, but the items aren’t deleted until you empty the Bin.

A blue arrow pointing to the Bin icon in the Dock.

Delete an item from your Mac or iCloud Drive

On your Mac, drag the item to the Bin in the Dock or select the item, then press Command-Delete.
If an item is locked, click Continue to confirm you want to move the locked item to the Bin.

Note: If an item is locked, you need to confirm you want to move it to the Bin, or unlock the item before putting it in the Bin.

To unlock the item first, select it, choose File > Get Info (or press Command-I), then unselect the Locked tick box.
If you are not logged in as an administrator, you may need to click the lock icon, then enter an administrator name and password.

Empty the Bin

On your Mac, click the Bin icon in the Dock.
In the window that appears, do one of the following:
- Empty one item from the Bin: Control-click the item you want to delete, then choose "Delete Immediately".
  
  In the warning message that appears, click Delete.
- Empty all of the Bin: Click the Empty button in the upper-right corner of the Finder window. You can also click the Finder icon in the Dock, then choose Finder > Empty Bin.
- In the warning message that appears, click Empty Bin.

Prevent the Bin warning message from appearing

To prevent the Bin warning message from appearing, do one of the following:

Once: Press the Option key when you click Empty or choose Empty Bin.
Always: Turn off the warning in the Advanced pane of Finder preferences. In the Finder, choose Finder > Preferences, click Advanced, then unselect “Show warning before emptying the Bin.”

If you change your mind before emptying the Bin

On your Mac, click the Bin icon in the Dock.
Drag the item out of the Bin, or select the item, then choose File > Put Back.

Remove items from the Bin automatically after 30 days

In the Finder on your Mac, choose Finder > Preferences, then click Advanced.
Select “Remove items from the Bin after 30 days.”

Note: Items deleted from your Mac are permanently deleted. You may be able to recover items deleted from iCloud on iCloud.com.