Best File Shredder Software for Mac
The best Mac file shredders share a few key qualities: they reliably perform as promised, are user-friendly, and come at a reasonable price. Below is a closer look at the top 12 file shredders for Mac that meet these criteria to varying degrees.
1. Disk Drill Permanent Eraser Mac
- Data Sanitization Methods: Overwrite with zeros, random overwrite, 3-pass secure erasure, 7-pass secure erasure
- Last Updated: 2 March 2022 (Version 4.6.380)
- License: Freemium
- System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.11.6 and higher
Overview:
This Mac file shredder is an additional free tool included with Disk Drill, one of the world’s most popular data recovery programs. It supports multiple data sanitization methods, including overwrite with zeros, random overwrite, 3-pass secure erasure, and 7-pass secure erasure, making it suitable for even the strictest data destruction requirements.
One of Disk Drill’s standout features is the ability to verify that shredded files are truly unrecoverable. You can also use its data recovery functionality to locate deleted files that are still present on your hard drive and could potentially be recovered. To permanently remove these files, Disk Drill provides a free space eraser tool, ensuring your sensitive data is fully protected.
Key features:
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Data recovery capabilities – Disk Drill is a data recovery application that can recover over 400 file formats from all kinds of storage devices—even smartphones and tablets.
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Data protection and backup – If you have certain files that you don’t want to lose, then Disk Drill has multiple features that can be used to protect them.
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Free space eraser – Disk Drill lets you secure overwrite files that have already been erased to make them unrecoverable.
Pros:
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Intuitive user interface
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Multiple data sanitization methods
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Frequently updated
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One-time purchase options
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Data recovery capabilities
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Additional free tools
Cons:
- No customer support phone number
Pricing plans:
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Free trial – lets you test all features
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Pro version – $89 (one-time purchase)
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Enterprise version – $499 (one-time purchase)
Free Download
2. CleanMyMac X Shredder
Data Sanitization Methods: Only one | Last Updated: December 21, 2021 (Update 4.10.0) | License: Freemium | System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.10 and higher
Overview:
CleanMyMac X Shredder is considered one of the best Mac file shredders in 2021, even though it’s not a dedicated shredding tool. Instead, it comes as an additional feature within CleanMyMac X, a popular Mac cleaner designed to remove junk like outdated caches, broken downloads, and other unnecessary files.
Since CleanMyMac X Shredder is a bonus feature, it doesn’t include a wide range of options—but that simplicity makes it very easy to use. You can either quickly delete files and folders or enable the secure delete option to overwrite them for added security.
One important note: CleanMyMac X Shredder is not available in the Mac App Store version of CleanMyMac X, so you’ll need to download the web version to access this feature.
Key features:
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Clean up tools – You can use CleanMyMac X to remove clutter from your Mac, including unneeded files, outdated caches, broken downloads, and useless localizations, just to give some examples.
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Malware removal – CleanMyMac X reliably removes dangerous malware from your Mac and checks it for all kinds of vulnerabilities.
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Built-in uninstaller – Using the built-in app uninstaller, you can remove unwanted apps from your Mac without leaving behind leftover files.
Pros:
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Easy to use
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Comes with a ton of extra features
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Beautifully designed
Cons:
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The shredder isn’t available in the Mac App Store version of CleanMyMac X
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Just one data sanitization method
Pricing plans:
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Free version – limited in functionality
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One-year subscription – $39.95
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One-time purchase – $89.95
Free Download
3. Permanent Eraser
Data Sanitization Methods: 3-pass DoE, 35-pass Gutmann algorithms | Last Updated: July 18, 2020 (Version 2.9.1) | License: Freeware | System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 and higher
Overview:
Permanent Eraser is more powerful than it might appear at first glance. It supports the 35-pass Gutmann algorithm, which securely wipes magnetic media so thoroughly that even advanced techniques like Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) cannot recover the data.
The app is completely free and has been translated into multiple languages, including English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, and Welsh. It performs well even on older Macs, though some advanced features—like the built-in Finder plugin—are available only on newer systems.
Key features:
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macOS integration – All recent versions of Permanent Eraser offer Finder integration and support for Automator.
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CD/DVD erasing – Permanent Eraser can quickly erase rewritable optical discs (CD-RW or DVD-RW). All you need to do is drag the disk icon onto the Permanent Eraser icon.
Pros:
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Completely free
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Simple to use
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Finder integration
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Works great on older Macs
Cons:
- Lack of options
Pricing plans:
- Permanent Erase is free to download and use.
Free Download
4. VoidTech FileShredder
Data Sanitization Methods: 1 pass (fastest), 3 passes, 7 passes (DoD standard), or 35 passes (Gutmann deletion, safest) | Last Updated: Nov 20, 2016 (Version 2.1) | License: Premium | System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 or higher
Overview:
VoidTech FileShredder is a dedicated permanent eraser for Mac that offers multiple ways to securely shred files. You can drag and drop items onto the app icon, or launch the app to add Shred and Secure Shred options to the Finder context menu. Then, simply right-click any file or folder and select the appropriate option to erase it permanently.
Unfortunately, VoidTech FileShredder is currently unavailable for download. It was removed from the Mac App Store due to changes in Apple’s policies, and the developers have not yet re-released it elsewhere. Hopefully, this excellent shredder tool will return in the near future.
Key features:
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Finder integration – VoidTech FileShredder integrates into the Finder Context Menu, allowing you to securely shred any file or folder with a couple of clicks.
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Emergency stop – If you notice that you’re shredding files you actually want to keep, you can press the Abort button to instantly stop further deletion.
Pros:
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Multiple data sanitization methods
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Provides multiple ways to shred files
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Emergency stop
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Finder integration
Cons:
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Discontinued at the moment
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Last updated in 2016
Pricing plans:
- VoidTech FileShredder is currently not available for download, but its developers hope to re-release it outside of the Mac App Store in the future.
5. MacClean’s File Eraser
Data Sanitization Methods: The security level goes up from Standard Erase (1 erasure) to Standard Erase (7 erasures) to Top Security Erase (35 erasures) | Last Updated: September 2019 (Version 3.6.0) | License: Freemium | System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 and higher
Overview:
MacClean is feature-packed Mac cleaner software whose file eraser offers three data sanitization methods. To use it, all you need to do is drop your files onto the MacClean window, choose the preferred data sanitization method, and click the prominent Erase button.
In addition to secure file deletion, MacClean can erase system and internet junk, fix various security and privacy issues, and optimize your Mac to perform better. All features are equally easy to use, but you must unlock the full version of the app for MacClean to do what it’s intended to do.
Key features:
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One-click cleanup – MacClean can restore your Mac to a state closely resembling a brand-new computer with a single click.
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Malware scanner – The built-in malware scanner can reliably detect all major threats and get rid of them before they cause any harm to your Mac.
Pros:
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Additional cleanup features
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Useful malware scanner
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Three data sanitization methods
Cons:
- The free version can’t erase any files
Pricing plans:
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Free trial – evaluation only
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Personal license – $19.99 per year or $29.99 for a lifetime
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Family license – $39.99 for lifetime
Free Download
6. ShredIt X for Mac
Data Sanitization Methods: US Department of Defense (DoD 5220), US Department of Energy (DoE), NSA, and Gutmann | Last Updated: September 28, 2021 (Version 6.4.0) | License: Freemium | System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.0 and higher
Overview:
ShredIt X is a powerful multi-platform file shredder that’s perfect for more advanced users who can take advantage of its extensive configurability. In addition to its support for most commonly used data sanitization methods, ShredIt X lets you freely choose how many times you want to overwrite your data, and it can also shred free disk space, which is useful when securely erasing files from an SSD.
Compared with other best file shredders for Mac listed in this article, ShredIt X doesn’t have the most appealing user interface, but it certainly gets the job done. The main thing we don’t like is the fact that some of the most important options are accessible only from the Preferences window.
Key features:
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Useful safety features – To minimize the chance of accidental erasure, ShredIt X comes with built-in safety features.
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Cross-platform – ShredIt X runs on all versions of Apple’s operating system that are newer than Mac OS X 10.0, and it also supports Windows 95 and newer.
Pros:
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You’re free to choose between 1 and 35 erasures
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Can shred CDs and DVDs
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Built-in safety features
Cons:
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Not the most inviting user interface
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The free version doesn’t shred any files
Pricing plans:
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Free version – doesn’t actually shred any files
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Full version – $24.95
Free Download
7. Magoshare AweEraser
Data Sanitization Methods: HMG Infosec Standard 5 (1 pass), Peter Gutmann’s algorithm 2 (2 passes), U.S. Army AR380-19 (3 passes), DoD 5220.22-M ECE (7 passes), Peter Gutmann’s algorithm 35 (35 passes) | Last Updated: 31 December 2021 (Version 4.9) | License: Freemium | System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 and higher
Overview:
Magoshare AweEraser is a polished file eraser software application that supports many different data sanitization methods. The app’s inviting user interface makes AweEraser a fantastic choice for inexperienced Mac users who are looking for something simple, intuitive, and effective.
In addition to securely erasing individual files, AweEraser can also erase entire storage devices and overwrite free space. Included with the app are useful extra tools, which let you clean your internet history, uninstall unwanted apps, and manage your storage devices.
Key features:
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Internet cleaner – Web browsers tend to leave behind a lot of junk files on your hard drive, and AweEraser can help you get rid of them.
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App uninstaller – With AweEraser you can uninstall unwanted apps and erase the newly freed storage space from a single app.
Pros:
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Polished user interface
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Supports many different data sanitization methods
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Comes with extra tools
Cons:
- The free version doesn’t shred any files
Pricing plans:
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Free version – evaluation only
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Personal Lifetime License – $29.95
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Enterprise Lifetime License – $199.00
Free Download
8. Stellar BitRaser File Eraser
Data Sanitization Methods: Supports 17 global standards of erasure | Last Updated: unknown | License: Premium**| System Requirements:** Mac OS X 10.7 and higher
Overview:
Stellar BitRaser File Eraser is an enterprise-grade permanent eraser for macOS Catalina and older (up to Mac OS X 10.7). Its biggest selling-point is the fact that it supports 17 global standards of erasure (you can find their full list here), which is more than any other file shredder listed in this article.
Because Stellar BitRaser File Eraser is aimed predominantly at enterprises, it doesn’t have the most polished user interface out there. It also doesn’t offer a free version that would allow potential customers to try its features without spending any money.
Key features:
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Erasure automation – You can configure Stellar BitRaser File Eraser to schedule erasure tasks at regular intervals.
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Internet history erasure – Stellar BitRaser File Eraser can wipe browser history and get rid of cookies that track your behavior.
Pros:
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Supports 17 global standards of erasure
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Generates an erasure certificate
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Erases unused space
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Option to schedule regular erasures
Cons:
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No free version available
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Doesn’t have the most polished user interface
Pricing plans:
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Free version – not available
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Premium version – $36.29 annually
9. iMyMac PowerMyMac Shredder
Data Sanitization Methods: Only one shredding option | Last Updated: Version 3.0.6 | License: Freemium | System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.11 and higher
Overview:
iMyMac PowerMyMac is an intuitive system cleaner app with a built-in shredder that you can use to securely delete up to 500 MB of data for free. The shredder supports only one data sanitization method, and the app doesn’t tell you which one. As such, we wouldn’t recommend it to users who need to securely erase highly sensitive documents and other data.
We also don’t like that the iMyMac PowerMyMac shredder doesn’t support drag-and-drop file selection. Instead, you have to click a button to open a Finder pop-up window, which then lets you pick the files you want to shred.
Key features:
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Large file finder – iMyMac PowerMyMac can reliably find large files to help you free up disk space.
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Duplicate finder – It takes only a few clicks to locate and delete all duplicate files that are unnecessarily taking up valuable storage space.
Pros:
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Monthly license option
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Comes with many extra tools
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Lets you shred up to 500 MB of data for free
Cons:
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No drag-and-drop support
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Only one shredding option
Pricing plans:
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Free version – can clean only up to 500 MB data
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1-Month License – $9.95
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1-Year License – $19.95
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Lifetime License – $29.95
Free Download
10. Drive Genius File Deleter
Data Sanitization Methods: not specified | Last Updated: October 30, 2021 (Version 6.2.2) | License: Premium (demo version available) | System Requirements: Requires macOS 10.12 and later
Overview:
Drive Genius is a comprehensive suite of disk management and Mac optimization tools, offering nearly everything you need to keep your Mac running smoothly. Its features can be grouped into three main categories: protection, cleanup, and optimization.
The file deleter is part of the cleanup category, alongside tools like the duplicate and large file finder, partition manager, drive cloner, and several others. Given the extensive functionality Drive Genius provides, it’s one of the more expensive apps included in this list.
Key features:
- macOS optimization and clean up features – Drive Genius features 18 powerful features that you can use to address just about every data-related issue that you can encounter when using your Mac.
Pros:
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Can do just about anything
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Frequently updated
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Live chat support
Cons:
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Pricy
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The sheer number of available tools can be overwhelming
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Very limited demo version
Pricing plans:
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Demo – provides limited access to basic features
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Standard License – $79 per computer per year
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Perpetual License – $99 per computer per use
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Professional License – $299 per 10 computers per year
Free Download
11. DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac
Data Sanitization Methods: HMG Infosec Standard 5 (1 pass), Peter Gutmann’s algorithm 2 (2 passes), U.S. Army AR380-19 (3 passes), DoD 5220.22-M ECE (7 passes), Peter Gutmann’s algorithm 35 (35 passes) | Last Updated: March 16, 2022 (Version 7.3) | License: Freemium | System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.6 and higher
Overview:
There’s a reason DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac is listed right after Magoshare AweEraser: the two file shredders are nearly identical, featuring the same user interface and functionality. They likely originate from a white-label file shredder, though no definitive evidence confirms this.
The main difference between the two tools lies in their pricing models. DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac offers a slightly more expensive lifetime license, while its 1-year license is available for just $19.00.
Key features:
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Disk manager – DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac lets you format, rename, and eject storage devices connected to your Mac.
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Internet cleanup – Quickly clean up internet caches, histories, and junk files.
Pros:
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Polished user interface
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Supports many different data sanitization methods
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Comes with extra tools
Cons:
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A clone of Magoshare AweEraser (or vice versa)
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The free version doesn’t shred any files
Pricing plans:
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Free version – evaluation only
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Lifetime License – $39.00
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1-year License – $19.00
Free Download
12. TuneupMyMac Permanent Eraser Mac
Data Sanitization Methods: Single Pass ZERO WRITE, Single Pass FF WRITE, Three Pass RANDOM WRITE | Last Updated: 2019 (Version 1.33.0) | License: Freemium | System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 and higher
Overview:
This advanced Mac cleaner includes a reliable file deleter that supports three secure delete algorithms. The tool can erase individual files or entire folders and allows drag-and-drop file selection for added convenience.
In addition to secure file deletion, TuneupMyMac can handle a wide range of cleanup tasks. It can uninstall unwanted applications, remove duplicate files, locate unused language files, delete temporary files, and even wipe your internet history, among other functions.
Key features:
- One-click cleaning – All essential clean up operations supported by TuneupMyMac can be performed with a simple click on the Clean Now button.
Pros:
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The free trial version lets you erase an unlimited amount of data
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Comes with many extra tools
Cons:
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Outdated user interface
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Doesn’t officially support macOS Big Sur
Pricing plans:
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Free version – provides limited access to all features
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Premium version – $49.95
Free Download
How Do You Shred Files on a Mac?
Unless you plan to wipe your entire drive (for which you can use the secure erase options in Disk Utility), you’ll need a third-party Mac file shredder, such as one of the tools listed in this article.
Disk Drill Permanent Eraser for Mac is an excellent choice because it’s free, easy to use, and supports multiple data sanitization methods. Here’s how it works:
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Launch Disk Drill.
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Select the Data Shredder option from the left pane.
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Add files or folders you want to shred.
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Choose the preferred data sanitization method.
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Click the “Shred this now” button.
Warning: Files and folders shredded using Disk Drill cannot be recovered by any data recovery software—not even Disk Drill itself, which otherwise can recover over 400 file formats from internal and external drives, as well as mobile phones and tablets.
Summary
File shredders are essential tools for protecting sensitive data. They help prevent unintended disclosure when sharing your devices with others, selling old hardware online, or simply connecting your Mac to the internet, where a variety of threats could expose your information.