How to Recover Files Deleted using ‘rm’ Command in Mac?
RM is the command along with the files to delete files in Mac computers. If you have used the command accidentally and deleted the files, it becomes impossible to recover the deleted files manually. Because the deleted files will bypass the trash folder. You can either use backups to restore rm files on Mac or Make use of SFWare Mac Data Recovery software for Mac, in order to recover your important files that are deleted with the 'rm' command on Mac.
Mac computers are designed with a built-in application called Terminal. This is a command line interface used to manage or execute functions. “rm filename” is a command used in Mac Terminal to delete files permanently just like Shift + Delete in the Windows computer.
If you have accidentally or intentionally deleted files using the “rm” command, and are now looking for ways to recover files deleted by rm on Mac. You have ended up in the right place.
It is important to know that files deleted using the ‘rm’ command are not trashed, instead, they are directly deleted. When a file is deleted, only the pointers to the file are removed. The actual file will still exist on the hard drive. Therefore, it is recommended not to use the drive after the deletion of data using the rm command. Doing so will overwrite files on the deleted file and make file or data recovery impossible.
We will guide you through the recovery process and help you undo rm command on Mac, and if you follow the instructions explained here, I can assure you, that you will be able to recover files after rm on any Mac system.
Mac RM Deleted Files Recovery
As mentioned earlier, the Trash Bin is of no use in this scenario. You either have to rely on backups of the deleted data or use a specialized data recovery tool.
Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from Time Backup Machine
By default, Time Machine backups everything on your Mac. Therefore, you can try recovering your deleted files using the ‘rm’ command.
Step 1: Go to the Apple menu -> select System Preferences -> Time Machine.
Step 2: Click on the check box, Show Time machine -> next, and click on Enter Time Machine.
Step 3: Now, click on Restore to recover your deleted files with the RM command. You can find the deleted files in its original location from where it has been deleted.
Though Time Machine backs up everything and recovers deleted files, you must go through all the files listed to find your deleted important files. therefore, it can be a long and tedious process.
So how do you recover permanently deleted rm files from Mac without losing time? The answer is by using professional tools.
Method 2: Mac Recover RM Files That Were Deleted or Lost Using SFWare Mac Data Recovery Software
There are various data recovery tools available to help users of macOS undelete rm files. SFWare is one of the best and most recommended software to recover permanently deleted or rm command deleted files.
SFWare Data Recovery Software for Mac is designed with an easy interface and powerful drive scan algorithms that make the complex recovery process simple. The tool easily identifies various file types such as Word, Excel, PDF, PPT, and many more.
To make your search easier, the tool provides the find feature to find specific file types. The tool supports recovery from ExFAT, FAT, HFS, and other file systems on all Mac versions including the recent Mac Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, etc.
Steps to Recover Files that are Deleted with the ‘rm’ Command on Mac Using SFWare
Prepare your computer for data recovery
Download and install SFWare Data Recovery Software for Mac on the system. If data needs to be recovered from external storage devices, connect it to your computer and keep it ready.
Perform data recovery
1: Run the application and Select the drive from which data needs to be recovered from the home screen.
2: After completion of the scanning process, files are displayed.
3: Select required files from the list and preview them in Mac finder style. If you’re satisfied with the result, save them in any desired location.
By the end of the recovery process, you should have all your deleted data restored successfully at the destination you picked. But remember not to save recovered files to the same drive from where the deleted file recovery has been done.
About SFWare Deleted File Recovery for Mac
- Easily recovers deleted as well as lost files from SSD
- Supports recovery of files from Trash, hard drives, memory cards, pen drives, etc.
- Restores various types of files like documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, ZIP, PPTs, and many more
- Supports to retrieve data lost or deleted due to accidental deletion, and other human errors. You can even recover files if you have accidentally deleted your Mac HDD in disk utility.
On a side note, what if you have cleared your Mac trash or used Command + Delete keys to delete files. Recovery is still possible. Read how to retrieve deleted files from Mac trash to learn more about the recovery process.
