wipefs

Display signatures for specified device

$ sudo wipefs [/dev/sdX]

$ sudo wipefs [[-a|--all]] [/dev/sdX]

$ sudo wipefs [[-a|--all]] [/dev/sdX]*

$ sudo wipefs [[-a|--all]] [[-n|--no-act]] [/dev/sdX]

$ sudo wipefs [[-a|--all]] [[-f|--force]] [/dev/sdX]

wipefs [options]

-a, --all
    Erase all signatures found on the device.

-b, --backup
    Backup the signatures to the specified file before erasing.
WARNING: This will include full content of block, including possible personal data!

-f, --force
    Force erasure, even if the device is mounted or busy.
Use with caution!

-i, --input-offset
    Examine the device at the specified .

-n, --no-act
    Print signatures, but do not erase them (dry run).

-o, --offset
    Erase signatures at the specified (multiple -o options are allowed).

-p, --parsable
    Produce parsable output.

-q, --quiet
    Suppress some error messages.

-s, --sector-size
    Specify the sector size (in bytes).

-t, --types
    Erase only the signatures of the specified types (comma separated list).

-u, --undo
    Undo an earlier wipefs operation by restoring from the backup.

-v, --verbose
    Verbose output.

-V, --version
    Display version information and exit.

-h, --help
    Display help text and exit.

wipefs examines a specified device to identify file system, RAID, and partition-table signatures/metadata. It can then selectively erase these signatures to make the device appear blank. This is useful for preparing a device for reformatting or repartitioning. wipefs is a safer alternative to using dd because it only targets specific signatures rather than blindly overwriting the entire device. It avoids accidentally corrupting data outside of the signature area. It is designed to work on block devices, but can be used with other files containing metadata.

Using wipefs on a mounted device can lead to data loss if not used carefully and with the -f flag. Ensure you understand the consequences before forcing operations.

wipefs returns 0 on success. A non-zero exit status indicates an error.

wipefs was developed as part of the util-linux package. It has become a standard tool for managing device metadata, especially when preparing disks for new filesystems or resolving device detection issues. Its usage has increased as file systems and partition tables have become more complex, requiring more targeted methods for removing signatures.

dd(1), blkid(8), mkfs(8)

Karel Zak