I realized my Mac’s storage was getting low day by day. While cleaning out the junk files, I found that some items could not be removed a moment ago. So I used the RM command to delete them forcefully. These files were successfully deleted, but by mistake, a few other important documents were also removed.
Now, is it possible to revert the RM command, or is there a way to recover deleted files with RM on Mac?
The RM command on a Mac is a great way to delete stubborn files and folders that can’t be deleted normally. However, once you carry it out, the deleted items are permanently deleted and cannot be restored from the Trash. If you have lost important files due to the RM command, don’t worry. Follow this guide to get them back in a few simple steps. Also, you will learn more about the RM command and how to use it safely.
| Function | Command Line |
|---|---|
| Delete a specific file directly | rm <Path + FileName>. For example, "rm /User/Name/Desktop/myphoto.jpg" |
| Delete files of the same type | rm <Path + *.Filetype> |
| Delete hidden files | rm -a <Path> |
| Forcefully delete a file without prompting | rm -f <Path + FileName> |
| Delete a directory | rm -r <Path> |
| Delete only empty directories | rmdir <Path> |
Tip: You can also combine them, such as "rm -rf <Path>", which will directly delete the entire directory and its contents. Many users have lost important files in this way.
Unfortunately, there's no way to roll back the RM command to undelete files. There are two reasons:
Are you feeling hopeless after understanding these reasons? While there's no direct way to "rm undo," it's possible to recover permanently deleted files on a Mac using software, even without a backup. Next, we'll explain why and how to do it.
Just like when you empty the Trash or delete files using the "Shift+Command+Delete" keys, these items disappear immediately.
In this case, the system removes their information from the file allocation table. Although it makes them unavailable for viewing in the Finder or other applications, the file's contents remain on your hard drive until overwritten by new data. This is why Mac recovery software can help find deleted files. Therefore, if you realize that some files have been accidentally removed by using an RM command, use the following methods to retrieve them as soon as possible.
Now, you know there's no such thing as "undo rm" and that deleted files still exist. Without a backup, using data recovery software is your exclusive DIY method for recovering files after an RM command. If you haven't used such a program before, here are two to try.
It is a very user-friendly and offline data recovery tool that's ready to use right after the installation. Developed with advanced algorithm technologies and frameworks, it not only thoroughly scans every sector of your storage device but also repairs files damaged by overwriting while being deleted. It's ideal for users who've accidentally deleted files using the RM command.
That's it! It is the best guide to "undo rm" without a backup. If you're worried about losing these crucial files again due to unexpected incidents, use the backup feature provided by iBeesoft Data Recovery to create a copy for free.
Now that you can use the RM command to delete files, you may already have a basic understanding of command-line tools. In this case, PhotoRec can also help you recover files after the RM command. It analyzes the underlying data regardless of the file system, giving it a higher recovery success rate than other similar types of programs. You can use it by following the steps below.
Sometimes, recovery software may not be able to help you get those files back, especially when you have saved new data after the RM deletion. In this case, data recovery services like SalvageData, Ontrack, or DriveSavers are another option for recovering permanently deleted files.
They can evaluate the possibility and cost of file recovery for free. If your files are essential and cannot be recovered quickly, consider seeking help from their official website.
Compared to the methods above, this section introduces the most reliable "rm undo" alternative solution. Of course, the prerequisite is that you backed up these files using Time Machine or a cloud service before they were permanently deleted. If that's the case, you can get them back with just a few clicks.
Click the Time Machine icon (a clock) in the top menu bar, then select "Browse Time Machine Backups" from the menu. If the files were deleted more than 24 hours ago, you should connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac and then select "Open Time Machine."
Note: If Time Machine isn't in the menu bar, don't worry. You can open it in System Preferences.
While it's very easy to remove unwanted files or folders with the RM command line, it's an instant operation, and it doesn't offer any "rm undo" functionality. Therefore, we suggest you always add the "i" command before using any rm command to ensure a confirmation prompt. Besides, you shouldn't use the RM command line to delete files unless you are in one of the following situations:
In this article, we've mainly introduced various methods for recovering files deleted with RM on a Mac. Among them, the most effective method is to utilize backups. If you don't have the habit of backing up important data yet, please start now.
By understanding more details about the RM delete command, whether there is a so-called "undo rm," and the correct usage method. Even if you continue to use the RM command in the future, we believe this error will not occur again.
Not necessarily. If you've saved new data after deleting files or a long time has passed, you might not be able to recover them even if you ask for help from a data recovery service.
For sure, you can. First, check if you have a backup. If not, use iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac, which can help you recover up to 500MB of data for free. If you accidentally delete files that exceed this limit, PhotoRec is your first choice.
No. Recuva doesn't officially offer a version for macOS. Don't worry, here are 10 alternatives to Recuva for Mac.
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