

- #Cant get mac trash folder to empty how to#
- #Cant get mac trash folder to empty mac os#
- #Cant get mac trash folder to empty full#
No special text message will be shown indicating that the command was successful.

This eliminates the need to individually empty multiple Trash directories, particularly when multiple disks or volumes are present. Note: This automatically enters the pathname for each file. Press the Command-A key combination to select all files in the Trash.ĭrag the files from the Trash to the Terminal window. If necessary, arrange the Finder window so that a portion of the Terminal window is still visible. Do not press Return yet.ĭouble-click the Trash icon in the Dock to reveal the contents of the Trash. Note: Type one space (not pictured) after nouchg in the line above, so that it ends in "nouchg ". If there are several locked files in the Trash, you can unlock them all at the same time at the command line. "Advanced tip about deleting locked files Let us know in the comments below.A search on the apple website revealed this tip for mass unlocking all the files in your trashcan It seems it should not be required while in Recovery mode, but I haven't tested it. I don't know if that was actually required or not. Note: I actually ran csrutil disable before step 8 and then csrutil enable after step 9, to temporarily disable the System Integrity Protection. Rm -rf /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/bob/.Trash/?* Now open Trash in the Dock and drag and drop files. Once Terminal is open, type in sudo rm followed by a space and don't hit Enter after (it's important). Verify by running this in Terminal: ls /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/bob/.Trash/?*Īnd check that it contains those files you want to delete. Force empty Trash on Mac using Terminal Open Terminal you should be able to find this using Spotlight Search or in Utilities > Terminal. Remember to replace bob there with the right user name.
#Cant get mac trash folder to empty full#
The full path to your trash will be something like this: /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/bob/.Trash/?* Prefix the path you noted down with that. Hold the Option key (or Option-Shift) and double-click the Trash icon.

After hearing the startup tone, release the Shift button. When I try to empty my Trash, I get the message that the files are in use. No files, just empty folders, some with more empty folders. It contains the folder 'Mobile Documents' which is in the users Library folder, and it has about 50 folders in it. To get started, shut down your Mac and turn it on while holding the Shift key. Now I have a folder sitting in my Trash, which I cannot get rid of. After talking with Apple Support it looked like it was actually tied to iCloud, for me what fixed it was going into system settings and unchecking my iCloud documents. This is quite easy open computer in Safe Mode and empty the trash.
#Cant get mac trash folder to empty how to#
Here’s how to do that: Find the Trash icon in Dock. The first user account wouldn’t delete the SAT folder in the VoiceTrigger folder. The "Macintosh HD" will be available under /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD. Using the Option key, you can initiate options and clear the Trash without opening the folder.
#Cant get mac trash folder to empty mac os#
Here are the steps that worked for me on Mac OS 10.15.4:įind out the path to your Trash by running this command in Terminal echo /Users/$(whoami)/.Trash/?* However you must first mount your Macintosh disk (at least on Catalina) to get access to the Trash while in Recovery mode. I also verified that this file is on the read-write Data partition: sh-3.2# ls -l /System/Volumes/Data/Users/elliott/.Trash/Security/usr/Īs mentioned, you can fix this in Recovery mode itself. Write_nocancel(0x2, "Operation not permitted\n\0", 0x18) = 24 0 I have already given Terminal full disk access in System Preferences.Ĭhecking the rm command with dtruss I see it fails here: unlink(".Trash/Security/usr/X11R6\0", 0x0, 0x0) = -1 Err#1 Rm: Security//usr/X11R6: Operation not permittedįifteen.Trash elliott$ ls -l Security/usr/ DS_Storeĭrwxr-xr-x 3 root wheel 96 Nov 11 21:42 Securityįifteen.Trash elliott$ sudo rm -rf Security/ OK let's try in Terminal: fifteen.Trash elliott$ pwd ls -alĭrwx- 4 elliott staff 128 Nov 11 21:44 125 elliott staff 4000 Nov 10 22:23 1 elliott staff 135172 Nov 11 21:44. It's a link to /opt/X11 which is a regular directory. Trying to empty from Finder warns X11R6 can't be modified or deleted because it's required by macOS. I'm having trouble emptying the trash on Catalina.
