How to Undo Trash Delete on a Mac to Recover Deleted Files

Brithny updated on Sep 29, 2025 to Mac File Recovery | How-to Articles

If the deleted files weren't backed up using Time Machine, or you can't find the deleted files in the 'Recently Deleted' folder, don't worry; you can still undo the Mac deletion using Mac data recovery software or services.

Accidentally deleting important files can be stressful, but there are several ways to undo the Trash delete. Whether you've emptied the trash or permanently deleted files, this guide provides multiple practical solutions to retrieve data on a Mac.

    Suppose the deleted files are so essential that you have no time to try all the methods in this post; Go straight to install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, which supports a wide range of file types to recover, and provides a user-friendly interface to ensure a computer novice can quickly restore deleted files.

    If you've accidentally deleted a file from the Trash on your Mac, recovering it can be tricky because emptying the Trash typically removes the file from macOS. However, here are some methods you can try to undo a Trash delete to recover deleted files on a Mac:

    1. Fix 1. Undo Trash Delete from Time Machine Backups
    2. Fix 2. Undo Mac Delete via iCloud Drive or Other Cloud Services
    3. Fix 3. Use Data Recovery Software to Undo Mac Delete

    To recover files after deleting them to the Trash on a Mac, open the Trash folder.  If the files are still in the Trash, you can restore them by dragging them to a desired location or by selecting "Put Back" from the context menu. If the Trash has been emptied, you can try using Time Machine backups or data recovery software.

      Fix 1. Undo Trash Delete from Time Machine Backups

      If you have Time Machine enabled on your Mac, you can access Time Machine backups and restore your deleted files by following these steps:

      Step 1. Click the Time Machine symbol in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

      In case the Time Machine icon is not found, navigate to the "Apple menu > System Settings > General > Time Machine".

      Step 2. Choose the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select "Browse Time Machine Backups" from the drop-down menu.

      Step 3. Navigate through your Time Machine backups using the arrows and timeline, then pick whatever things you wish to restore.

      Don't forget to share this post on SNS to help more people learn how to undo Mac delete and restore the deleted items safely.

      Fix 2. Undo Mac Delete via iCloud Drive or Other Cloud Services

      If the file was stored in iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, or another cloud service, try to find your deleted items there. For instance, you can recover permanently deleted files from iCloud:

      Step 1. Go to iCloud.com on your Mac with your Apple ID. Then sign in to your Apple Account.

      Step 2. Choose the category you want to restore, such as recovering permanently deleted photos from iCloud.

      Step 3. Click the "Recently Deleted" tab in the sidebar. Select the file, and click "Recover" to get them back.

      ⚠️Note: Some services retain deleted files for up to 30 days.

      Fix 3. Use Data Recovery Software to Undo Mac Delete

      If the deleted files weren't backed up using Time Machine, or you can't find the deleted files in the "Recently Deleted" folder, don't worry; you can still undo the Mac deletion using Mac data recovery software or services.

      EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac helps restore deleted files even after emptying the Trash bin. Here's how to undo the Mac Trash deletion using this powerful data recovery tool:

      Step 1. Select the location and scan

      Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac and choose the disk where you lost data. Then, click "Search for lost files" to start scanning.

      Step 2. Filter and preview lost files

      After the scan, use the file format filter on the left or upper right corner to find the deleted files you need.

      Step 3. Recover lost data or files

      You can double-click a file to preview its content, or choose multiple files to recover them at once. Click "Recover" to restore the lost data to a local or cloud drive.

      Suppose the data loss scenario is more complex and you can't fix it yourself; ask a data recovery pro for help! EaseUS Data Recovery Services has experience in data recovery for 20 years, offers free diagnosis of the hard drives, and can guarantee "No Data, No Charge".

      Conclusion

      Losing files doesn't always mean they're gone forever. You can often undo a trash deletion by checking your Time Machine backups or employing recovery software. Act quickly for the best chance of recovery!

      Undo Mac Delete FAQs

      Here are questions people frequently ask that are related to "how to undo a Mac delete"; take a look!

      1. Can I recover emptied Trash on Mac?

      Yes, you can recover files after emptying the Trash on a Mac, but you need to act quickly to avoid overwriting the deleted data. If you have Time Machine enabled, you can restore deleted files from a previous backup.

      2. How do I undo something in Trash on Mac?

      If the files are still in the Trash, you can restore them by dragging them to a desired location or by selecting "Put Back" from the context menu. If the Trash has been emptied, you can try using Time Machine backups or data recovery software.