Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
If you're having trouble erasing a disk with the Disk Utility app, want to have a backup method, or just want to learn more about the Terminal, here's a beginner's walkthrough on locating, unmounting, erasing, and "securely" erasing a drive with the Mac's terminal
00:00 - Intro
00:42 - Locate the Drive Path
02:18 - Unmounting the Drive
03:32 - Erasing the Drive
05:27 - "Securely" erasing the Drive
Commands used (replace "X" with the number of your disk) :
- Locate disks: diskutil list
- Unmount a disk: diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskX
- Force Unmount: diskutil unmountDisk /force /dev/diskX
- Erase (replace FORMAT with format you want and DRIVE_NAME with the new name for your drive):
diskutil eraseDisk FORMAT DRIVE_NAME /dev/diskX
- "Secure" erase (replace LEVEL with the secure erase level you want to use:
diskutil secureErase LEVEL /dev/disk#
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--If you click a link and purchase something through our articles, these may be affiliate links through which we earn a commission. Commission on products do not affect editorial ability or direction, and we try to add affiliate links to items we either do or would recommend and use ourselves. We do not take money or affiliate commissions from companies in exchange for reviewing their products.
#Mac #Erase #Security
If you're having trouble erasing a disk with the Disk Utility app, want to have a backup method, or just want to learn more about the Terminal, here's a beginner's walkthrough on locating, unmounting, erasing, and "securely" erasing a drive with the Mac's terminal
00:00 - Intro
00:42 - Locate the Drive Path
02:18 - Unmounting the Drive
03:32 - Erasing the Drive
05:27 - "Securely" erasing the Drive
Commands used (replace "X" with the number of your disk) :
- Locate disks: diskutil list
- Unmount a disk: diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskX
- Force Unmount: diskutil unmountDisk /force /dev/diskX
- Erase (replace FORMAT with format you want and DRIVE_NAME with the new name for your drive):
diskutil eraseDisk FORMAT DRIVE_NAME /dev/diskX
- "Secure" erase (replace LEVEL with the secure erase level you want to use:
diskutil secureErase LEVEL /dev/disk#
Website: easyosx.net
Twitter: twitter.com/easyosx
Facebook: facebook.com/EasyOSX-192509994146472
Instagram: instagram.com/EasyOSX
Blue Yeti Mic used: amzn.to/38UxiL8
Mic Windscreen and Pop filter: amzn.to/3trczGA
--If you click a link and purchase something through our articles, these may be affiliate links through which we earn a commission. Commission on products do not affect editorial ability or direction, and we try to add affiliate links to items we either do or would recommend and use ourselves. We do not take money or affiliate commissions from companies in exchange for reviewing their products.
#Mac #Erase #Security
