---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-make-the-trash-empty-itself-automatically
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-make-the-trash-empty-itself-automatically
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Finding big files, Downloads and the Trash"
question: "How do I make the Trash empty itself automatically on a Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "empty trash automatically after 30 days"
  - "auto empty trash mac"
  - "remove items from trash after 30 days"
  - "mac trash auto delete"
  - "trash settings macos"
short_answer: "Tick Remove items from the Trash after 30 days in Finder → Settings → Advanced (or Empty Trash Automatically in Storage settings)."
tags: ["trash", "finder", "automatic"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/does-the-trash-take-up-space", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-recover-something-i-deleted-from-the-trash"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I make the Trash empty itself automatically on a Mac?

In Finder, open **Finder → Settings… → Advanced** and tick **Remove items from the Trash after 30 days**. The same switch appears as **Empty Trash Automatically** in System Settings → General → Storage.

Items then stay recoverable for 30 days before macOS deletes them permanently. Until then they still take up space, so empty the Trash manually when you need room immediately.