wipefs
Erase filesystem signatures from devices
TLDR
Display signatures
$ sudo wipefs /dev/sda
Wipe all signatures$ sudo wipefs -a /dev/sda
Wipe device and partitions$ sudo wipefs -a /dev/sda*
Dry run$ sudo wipefs -a -n /dev/sda
Force wipe mounted device$ sudo wipefs -a -f /dev/sda
SYNOPSIS
wipefs [OPTIONS] device...
DESCRIPTION
wipefs erases filesystem, RAID, or partition-table signatures from a device. It removes the magic strings that identify the device type without destroying the actual data, allowing the device to be repurposed.
PARAMETERS
-a, --all
Wipe all available signatures-n, --no-act
Dry run - show what would be done-f, --force
Force wiping even if device is in use-o, --offset offset
Wipe signature at specific offset-b, --backup
Create backup files of erased signatures-t, --types list
Wipe only specified signature types-q, --quiet
Suppress output
CAVEATS
This command removes filesystem identification signatures but does not securely erase data. For complete data destruction, use blkdiscard or overwrite with dd. Wiping a mounted filesystem can cause data loss.
HISTORY
wipefs is part of the util-linux package, providing signature management for block devices.
SEE ALSO
blkid(8), lsblk(8), blkdiscard(8)