Make your Mac empty the Trash automatically

Why it happens

Files you delete aren't really gone. They sit in the Trash and keep using space until you empty it, and over months that can add up to many gigabytes. With automatic emptying on, your Mac clears out items once they've been in the Trash for 30 days, so you still have a month to change your mind.

How to fix it

1. Click the Apple menu, choose System Settings, and click General in the sidebar. Open Storage and wait a moment while it adds up your space.

2. Under Recommendations, find Empty Trash automatically and click the button next to it to turn it on.

   macOS 26 Tahoe General›Storage›Empty Trash Automatically

   macOS 27 Golden Gate General›Storage›Empty Trash automatically

3. You can also turn it on from Finder. Choose Finder, then Settings, click Advanced and tick Remove items from the Trash after 30 days. It's the same setting, so either place works.

   Finder›Settings…›Advanced›Remove items from the Trash after 30 days

On macOS 26 the item is written Empty Trash Automatically, and on macOS 27 Empty Trash automatically. It does the same thing.

Still not fixed?

1. Need the space back today? Click the Finder menu and choose Empty Trash… to empty it now. This can't be undone, so check nothing in there is needed first.

   Finder›Empty Trash…

2. If the Trash won't empty because a file is in use, quit the app that's using it or restart your Mac, then try again. For a locked file, select it, choose File, then Get Info, and untick Locked first.

3. Files deleted in Photos go to its Recently Deleted album, not the Trash. Empty that album in Photos to free that space too.

   Photos›Recently Deleted

4. If items older than 30 days stay in the Trash with the setting on, restart your Mac and check again. If it still doesn't work, contact Apple Support.