Deleted folder keeps reappearing in Trash (even after deleting it multiple times)

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Level 1

4 points

Deleted folder keeps reappearing in Trash (even after deleting it multiple times)

I use iCloud for most of my files and an (empty) folder I deleted keeps reappearing in my Trash folder, despite me trying the following many times:

changing its name
changing the folder's "Everyone" permissions to Read & Write (it keeps snapping back to No Access the next time the folder reappears in the Trash folder)
deleting it via browser (Safari) through iCloud Drive
adding a file inside and then deleting the folder and then emptying the trash
trying to delete it in Safe mode and emptying the trash
other things

There is an identical Apple Community support issue from 2019 that suggested the safe mode delete and also had another link (that was broken). Didn't seem to be resolved.

Help?

MacBook Air, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 22, 2024 2:17 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 22, 2024 10:20 AM in response to gianpiero82

gianpiero82 wrote: … folder I deleted keeps reappearing in my Trash folder,

You've tried a lot of good things! Have you tried holding option while emptying the trash? I don't have a lot of hope for that, but it's worth a try.

Here's another:

Open Terminal and type "sudo rm " including the space after. Then open the trash and drag the folder to Terminal, so you have

[stuff] ~ % sudo rm /Users/[path stuff] [and keep space after rm]

and hit return. It might ask for a password.

I know it works for files that are not stuck. Let us know how it goes for this…

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Answer 2

gianpiero82 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 24, 2024 8:38 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Hi Richard.Taylor, thanks for giving this a shot.

Unfortunately both of these didn't work, still have the issue.

Thanks again

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