External drives · When the drive is unplugged
Where does the Recycle Vault keep removed files when my drive isn't connected?
Short answer: Removed files normally rest on your external drive. While it's disconnected, the Recycle Vault holds them on your Mac until the drive returns; with no drive at all they stay on the internal disk, so connecting one frees that space.
Normally removed files rest on your external drive, where they stay recoverable without using space on your Mac. While the drive is disconnected, the Recycle Vault holds newly removed files on your Mac until it's back — the Services row shows yellow Waiting for your external drive.
If you have no external drive at all, the row shows red Holding removed files on this Mac, because they're taking up internal space. Connect a drive and use the row's button to open the vault. See Recycle Vault.