Ultimate Guide: How to Access and Restore Items From the Trash in macOS
When important files get accidentally deleted on your Mac, all hope is not lost. macOS provides a safety net in the form of the Trash, where deleted items are temporarily stored before being permanently removed. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of accessing and restoring items from the Trash in macOS, ensuring that you can recover your valuable data with ease.
Step 1: Locating the Trash
Firstly, you need to locate the Trash on your macOS system. The Trash icon is usually found on the right side of the Dock, represented by a waste bin symbol. Click on the Trash icon to open it.
Step 2: Viewing Deleted Items
Once the Trash is open, you will see a list of all the items that have been deleted from your Mac. You can browse through these items to locate the files you wish to restore.
Step 3: Restoring Deleted Items
To restore a deleted item from the Trash, simply drag the file or folder out of the Trash and drop it onto your desktop or any other location on your Mac. Alternatively, you can right-click on the item and select ‘Put Back’ to return it to its original location.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are unable to find the deleted item in the Trash, you can try searching for it using Spotlight. Simply click on the magnifying glass icon in the menu bar, enter the name of the file, and press Enter to search your entire Mac for the item.
Best Practices for Data Recovery
- Regularly empty your Trash to free up storage space on your Mac.
- Consider using Time Machine or a cloud backup service to prevent data loss.
- Avoid installing data recovery software unless absolutely necessary, as it may overwrite the deleted files.
By following these steps and best practices, you can effectively access and restore items from the Trash in macOS, ensuring that your important files are safely recovered. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so make sure to back up your data regularly to avoid any future data loss mishaps.

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