[5 Proven Ways] How to Recover Emptied Trash on Mac?

Can I Recover Emptied Trash from Mac?

Yes, you can recover files after emptying Trash on Mac, but the success rate depends on what you do next. Once the Trash is emptied, macOS marks the deleted files as available disk space, meaning they remain recoverable until overwritten. Before trying advanced tools, check whether the deleted files can be restored using the “Put Back” feature.

Simply open Trash (if it hasn’t been emptied yet), right-click your file, and select “Put Back”. If this option isn’t available, or if the Trash was already emptied, then you’ll need to move on to more powerful recovery methods.

When “Put Back” fails, the following five methods answer your questions like “Can I recover files after emptying trash on Mac?":

If you have no backup at all, the most effective method is using professional recovery software which we cover next.

How to Recover Emptied Trash on Mac with Data Recovery Software?

When there’s no backup and the Trash has already been emptied, using a dedicated tool is the most reliable way to recover items from emptied Trash on Mac. Among all solutions, 4DDiG Free Mac Data Recovery stands out because of its powerful scanning engine, high recovery rate, and ability to restore files from emptied Trash, formatted drives, corrupted disks, and crashed systems.

Unlike basic manual methods, 4DDiG can scan your computer’s hard drive to find files that the system can’t see anymore but are still physically exist and recoverable.

It supports photos, videos, documents, audio, and over 2,000 file types, making it ideal when you need a complete, hassle-free recovery experience. Below are the steps to recover emptied Trash on Mac using 4DDiG:

• Start 4DDiG Mac Data Recovery software and click the “Trash” option on the main interface to begin scanning.

  

• 4DDiG automatically scans the computer and shows results within a few seconds. Choose the filter options from the top or search for your file name to quickly find it.

  

• You can click "Recover” to have a quick preview. Then choose a location where you want to save the recovered file, click "Save Now," and your file will be successfully recovered and saved on your computer.

  

4DDiG is not just one more tool, it’s a professional-grade recovery solution with features that significantly increase your chances of success:

• Extracts files even after completely emptying or formatting the Trash.
• Supports APFS, HFS+, exFAT, FAT32, and works on all macOS file systems.
• Designed to restore photos, videos, audio, documents, and more.
• Recovers files without modifying original data.
• Beginner-friendly interface and no technical expertise needed

If you want the highest chance to recover emptied Trash on Mac, 4DDiG offers the most comprehensive and secure solution.

How to Recover Emptied Trash on Mac Without Software?

If you have backups, recovering the emptied Trash becomes much easier. However, these methods only work if the file was previously saved to a backup drive or cloud platform. If no backup exists, software like 4DDiG remains your best option.

1. Time Machine

Time Machine is macOS’s built-in backup utility, and it’s often the most reliable way to restore files that were permanently deleted from Trash. If you had Time Machine enabled before the deletion occurred, your Mac automatically created a backup of your files, allowing you to roll them back to an earlier state with just a few clicks.

This method works even if the Trash has already been emptied, if the file existed in one of your backups. For users who maintain regular backups, Time Machine is usually the fastest and safest recovery option.

Here is how to recover emptied trash from a Mac using the Time Machine app:

• Press "CMD + Space" on your keyboard and search for "Time Machine," then open the app from the search results.

• Once the Time Machine app opens, you need to look for the backup that you think contains the deleted file.

• Check the files in the Time Machine backup and search for your desired file. Once you find the desired file, click the "Restore” button to restore it back to your Mac.

Time Machine must be enabled before the Trash is emptied, and the backup must be created after the file is saved on your Mac and before it is deleted. If it cannot restore files otherwise, you will still need professional software like 4DDiG.

2. iCloud

If you use iCloud to sync your Desktop and Documents folders, your deleted files may still be recoverable through iCloud Drive, even after emptying Trash on your Mac. iCloud automatically stores recently deleted items for a limited period, giving you a second chance to restore them without additional software.

This option is especially helpful for users who rely on Apple’s ecosystem and frequently work across multiple devices. If the deleted file was synced before removal, iCloud’s “Recently Deleted” section can serve as a simple and convenient recovery path.

Below are the steps on how to recover files from the emptied trash on Mac using iCloud:

• Go to iCloud.com and log in with the same Apple account that you use on your Mac. Once logged in, click your profile icon from the top right and choose "iCloud Settings".

• Go to the "Recently Deleted" tab and look for any deleted items available for recovery. If your files are available, you can click on "Recover" after selecting the desired files, and they will be restored.

• If the Recently Deleted section is empty, check older versions by browsing the root folders of iCloud Drive.

3. Try Other Cloud Drive

Many cloud storage platforms, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, maintain their own file deletion history independent of macOS. If your files were synced to one of these services before you emptied the Trash, you may be able to recover them from the cloud’s built-in recycle bin.

These services typically keep deleted files anywhere between 30 and 180 days, offering a surprisingly effective fallback for accidental deletions. However, if you sync files manually, only then will the file still be available on your cloud storage drive.

Regardless, here are the steps to recover emptied trash on Mac without software using Cloud services:

• Log in to the cloud storage drive you use with your account and go to the “Deleted Files” section.

• Find and select the files you want to recover, then click the “Recover” button, and your files will be back.

How to Recover Files from Emptied Trash on Mac with Professional Services?

If none of the above methods work, especially when the disk is physically damaged, corrupted, or overwritten, professional recovery services might be your last option. These services operate in professional environments and use specialized equipment to extract data directly from the internal components of the drive.

Professionals can:

• Recover data from water-damaged or dead disks
• Extract data fragments from overwritten sectors
• Restore files from severe macOS corruption
• Repair firmware-related drive failures

However, these services are expensive and time-consuming. In most cases, tools like 4DDiG provide an affordable, efficient alternative for software-based recovery.

Data Backup is Always Important

Recovering deleted files is never fully guaranteed, especially once the Trash has been emptied, and macOS begins overwriting the available disk space. That’s why developing a consistent and reliable backup routine is essential for every Mac user. Although Time Machine is a solid built-in solution, you can add an extra layer of safety by creating a full disk backup with the 4DDiG Mac Data Recovery companion toolkit.

It enables you to clone entire drives, create sector-level backups, and protect important partitions from unexpected deletion, corruption, or system failure. With a strong backup strategy, even major data loss becomes manageable, allowing you to restore crucial files within minutes whenever something goes wrong.

Conclusion

Accidentally deleting files and emptying the Trash can be stressful, but as this guide shows, there are still several effective ways to recover your data. Whether you rely on Time Machine, cloud backups, or professional recovery services, the right method depends on what backups you have available.

For the highest success rate, especially when there’s no backup, Tenorshare 4DDiG free for Mac offers the most reliable solution for how to recover emptied Trash on Mac safely and quickly.