How to Free up Disk space on Mac

Key Takeaways

• Start with built-in macOS tools to manage storage efficiently.
• Focus on large files, cache, and unused apps to free up space quickly.
• Use cloud storage or external drives for files you rarely access.

By following these steps, you’ll reclaim valuable disk space on your Mac and ensure it runs smoothly.

Running out of disk space on your Mac can slow down performance, cause apps to crash, and make updates difficult. Fortunately, macOS offers several tools and techniques to reclaim valuable storage space. This guide will explain how to free up disk space on your Mac with practical steps and examples.

Why Free Up Disk Space?

• Improves Performance: A cluttered drive can slow your Mac down.
• Allows Updates: You need sufficient free space to install macOS updates.
• Organizes Files: Clearing out unnecessary files helps you keep your Mac tidy.

Step-by-Step Methods to Free Up Disk Space

1. Check Your Storage

Before freeing up space, identify what’s taking up room on your Mac.

Steps:

1. Click the Apple menu () and select About This Mac.
2. Go to the Storage tab.
3. Review the categories (e.g., Apps, Documents, System, etc.) to see what’s using the most space.

Example: If “System Data” or “Documents” is using a lot of space, focus your cleanup efforts there.

2. Use macOS Storage Management

macOS provides a built-in tool to manage and optimize storage.

Steps:

1. Click Apple menu () > About This Mac > Storage > Manage.
2. Review the recommendations, including:
   • Store in iCloud: Move files, photos, and messages to iCloud.
   • Optimize Storage: Automatically remove watched TV shows or movies from your Mac.
   • Empty Trash Automatically: Set Trash to delete items after 30 days.
   • Reduce Clutter: Manually review large files and delete unnecessary ones.

Example: If you find old downloads or large files you no longer need, delete them directly from the Reduce Clutter tab.

3. Clear Out Large and Old Files

Large files and old documents often take up significant space.

Steps:

1. Open Finder.
2. Click File > Find.
3. Use the search filters:
   • Select Kind > File.
   • Use File Size to filter for files larger than a specific size (e.g., 1GB).
   • Use Last Opened Date to find files you haven’t accessed in months.
4. Review and delete unnecessary files.

Example: Delete large video files or outdated PDFs from your Downloads or Documents folder.

4. Empty the Trash

Deleted files remain in the Trash until you empty it.

Steps:

1. Right-click the Trash icon in the Dock.
2. Select Empty Trash.
3. Confirm to permanently delete the files.

Example: After cleaning up files from Downloads, empty the Trash to reclaim the space.

5. Uninstall Unused Apps

Applications you no longer use can consume a lot of space.

Steps:

1. Open Finder > Applications.
2. Review the list of installed apps.
3. Drag unused apps to the Trash.
4. Empty the Trash to remove them completely.

Example: Uninstall old games or productivity apps you haven’t used in months.

6. Clear Cache Files

Cache files can accumulate over time and take up unnecessary space.

Steps:

1. Open Finder and select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Type: ~/Library/Caches
3. Delete cache files for specific apps by selecting their folders and dragging them to the Trash.
4. Repeat for: /Library/Caches

Example: Clear cache files for apps like Safari or Adobe Photoshop to reclaim space without affecting performance.

7. Optimize Photos Storage

Photos and videos can take up significant storage.

Steps:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Go to Photos > Preferences > iCloud.
3. Select Optimize Mac Storage to store smaller versions of your photos on your Mac while keeping originals in iCloud.

Example: Reduce space used by your Photos Library without deleting your memories by storing full-resolution photos in iCloud.

8. Delete Duplicate Files

Duplicate files can clutter your storage unnecessarily.

Steps:

1. Use Finder to search for duplicate files manually, or:
2. Use third-party apps like Gemini 2 to identify and delete duplicates.

Example: Remove duplicate photos or documents that were accidentally saved multiple times.

9. Clear Downloads Folder

The Downloads folder often stores unnecessary files like old installers or documents.

Steps:

1. Open Finder > Downloads.
2. Sort files by size or date.
3. Delete items you no longer need.

Example: Remove an old macOS installer or PDFs downloaded months ago.

10. Use Third-Party Cleanup Tools

Cleanup tools can automate the process of finding and deleting unnecessary files.

Popular Tools:

• CleanMyMac X: Scans for system junk, large files, and unused apps.
• DaisyDisk: Provides a visual map of your storage to identify large files.
• CCleaner: Focuses on clearing temporary files and browser data.

Example: Use CleanMyMac X to clear system junk, old mail attachments, and large files quickly.

11. Move Files to an External Drive

For files you don’t need often, move them to an external drive.

Steps:

1. Connect an external drive to your Mac.
2. Drag and drop files or folders from your Mac to the drive.
3. Delete the files from your Mac once the transfer is complete.

Example: Move old project files or video footage to free up space on your Mac.

12. Reset System Storage (Advanced)

If “System Data” is taking up too much space, consider resetting it.

Steps:

1. Backup your data using Time Machine.
2. Reinstall macOS from Recovery Mode to clear unnecessary system files.

FAQs

1. How much free disk space should I maintain on my Mac?

It’s recommended to keep at least 10–20% of your disk space free for optimal performance.

2. Can I delete system files to free up space?

No, avoid deleting system files unless you’re an advanced user and know their purpose. Use macOS tools to manage them safely.

3. Do I need a third-party app to free up disk space?

No, macOS has built-in tools for managing storage. However, third-party apps can simplify the process and provide deeper cleaning.

4. How do I check how much space is available?

Click Apple menu () > About This Mac > Storage to view available and used space.

5. Will freeing up space make my Mac faster?

Yes, freeing up disk space improves performance, especially if your drive is nearly full.

Example Cleanup Plan

1. Check storage in About This Mac > Storage.
2. Use Storage Management to delete old downloads and large files.
3. Clear cache files and optimize Photos storage.
4. Uninstall unused apps and empty the Trash.