By Joao Pedro
Struggling with a full hard drive on your Mac? This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to clear disk space on a Mac, helping you regain valuable storage space safely and efficiently by removing unnecessary files, emptying the trash, and optimizing your storage.
Hey there, fellow Mac user! We’ve all faced that annoying “Your disk is almost full” warning, leaving us puzzled about where all the storage went. From bloated temporary files and duplicates to forgotten downloads, running out of space can slow down your Mac and disrupt your workflow.
Don’t worry, though! With a few easy steps—like opening Finder, checking storage through the Apple menu, deleting temporary files, or transferring data to an external drive—you can quickly free up space on your Mac. Stick with this guide, and soon your Mac will feel like new, with plenty of room to breathe and perform at its best.
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Check Your Current Disk Usage
Accessing Storage Management
Before you begin clearing disk space, it’s essential to understand what is taking up space on your hard drive. The simplest way to do this is by using Apple’s built-in Storage Management tool. Start by clicking the Apple menu located in the upper-left corner of your screen, and then select System Settings.
Next, click General in the sidebar, and then choose Storage on the right-hand side. This will immediately display a visual breakdown of your storage usage, organized by categories such as Applications, Documents, Photos, and more.
If you’re running an earlier version of macOS, don’t worry—the process is nearly identical. Click the Apple menu, select “About This Mac,” and then navigate to the Storage tab. Both methods provide a clear and easy-to-understand overview of your disk space usage, without any confusing technical terms.
Analyze Detailed Storage Information
Once you’re in Storage Management, you’ll notice a color-coded bar chart that shows how much free storage space remains. Each category—like Applications, Documents, Messages, Photos, and others—has its storage usage displayed next to it.
Here’s where it gets particularly useful: if you spot an info button (ⓘ) next to any category, click on it. This allows you to dive deeper and identify the specific files and folders that are taking up the most space.
Pay close attention to categories such as Applications and Documents, as they often include temporary files or old downloads that you may no longer need. Additionally, you’ll see a category labeled “System Data” (or “Other” in older macOS versions), which encompasses Apple and third-party system files that don’t fit into other categories. The information updates automatically as you make changes, allowing you to track your progress as you optimize your storage.
Optimize Storage Space
Use Built-in Recommendations
With your storage breakdown in view, let’s take advantage of those handy built-in suggestions to clear space effortlessly. In the Storage window, scroll to the Recommendations section where macOS provides tailored actions like Store in iCloud, Optimize Storage, and Empty Trash Automatically.
For example, enabling Store in iCloud moves files from your Desktop and Documents to cloud storage, keeping recent ones local while freeing up your drive—a perfect solution if you have available iCloud space.
Next, toggle Optimize Storage to automatically remove watched Apple TV movies, old email attachments, and other viewed content, reclaiming gigabytes without the need for manual searching. These options often unlock substantial free storage with just a click or two, and you can always review or undo changes later in the respective app settings.
Review and Delete Large and Old Files
Now, navigate to the Documents or Applications category and click the info button to display a list of your largest and oldest files and folders. Sort by size to identify massive offenders—like years-old videos or project archives—and select them for deletion if they’re no longer needed. Right-click any item, choose “Move to Trash,” then remember to empty the trash to actually recover the space.
For even greater control, use the tool’s File Browser to navigate and remove hefty items directly, focusing on unsupported app documents or overlooked caches. This manual review ensures you only delete what you truly don’t need, giving you precise command over your storage space.
Delete Unnecessary Files and Manage Applications
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Clear Cache and Temporary Files
Ready to tackle those sneaky space-eaters? Start by clearing cache and temporary files, which can pile up from apps and browsing without you noticing. Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G to bring up “Go to Folder,” then type ~/Library/Caches and hit Go—this reveals your user cache folder.
Select cache folders related to apps you recognize, drag them to Trash, and empty the Trash to free up disk space.
If you want to go further, you can also check system-wide caches by entering /Library/Caches (you may need your admin password), but avoid deleting Apple or system-related folders—only remove cache folders tied to third-party apps you recognize. Pro tip: Restart your Mac afterward, or boot into Safe Mode (hold Shift during startup on Intel Macs) to let the system automatically purge more temporary files and caches safely.
This simple routine can reclaim surprising amounts of storage over time.
Uninstall Unused Apps
Unused apps are notorious disk space hogs, often lurking with leftover data. Back in Storage Management, select the Applications category and review the list sorted by size—click the info button to see details on bloated ones you haven’t touched in ages. To uninstall, open Finder, go to the Applications folder, select the app, and drag it straight to Trash (or right-click and choose Move to Trash).
For a thorough cleanup, empty the Trash, then check the app’s own uninstaller if available, or use Launchpad: click and hold an app icon until it jiggles, then click the X to remove it. Don’t forget to hunt for associated files in ~/Library/Application Support or ~/Library/Preferences afterward, deleting any remnants to maximize your free storage.
Conclusion
Reclaiming free disk space on your Mac doesn’t have to be complicated—you now have all the tools and knowledge to get started. By checking your storage via System Settings, using Apple’s built-in recommendations, deleting temporary files, removing duplicate files, and uninstalling unused applications, you’ll dramatically improve your Mac’s performance.
Remember, reader: a clutter-free hard drive means a faster, happier computer. Start today with just one section—whether it’s emptying your trash or clearing cache—and watch your free storage space grow. Your future self will thank you for the extra disk space and improved speed!
FAQ
What are the first steps to check how much storage space is available on my Mac?
Click on the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage (or About This Mac > Storage). You can view the available space directly in the bar.
Alternatively, open Finder, right-click on Macintosh HD, and select Get Info.
How can I use iCloud to optimize storage space on my Mac without slowing down my computer?
Enable Optimize Mac Storage in System Settings > iCloud. This feature automatically offloads infrequently used files to iCloud servers while keeping your recent files locally. It helps free up space without slowing down your Mac, as macOS manages file eviction automatically. Your files remain accessible on-demand.
What should I do if my Mac startup disk is almost full and I need to install a macOS update?
To create space for a macOS update, you can:
Empty your Trash.
Delete files from the Downloads folder.
Remove unused media and applications.
Move large files to cloud storage or external drives.
If space is still tight, start your Mac in Safe Mode to temporarily clear system caches. Once enough space is freed, proceed with the update installation.
Which file categories typically take up the most space on a Mac, and how can I identify and remove them?
Video, photo, and audio files often consume the most space on a Mac. To identify them:
Use Finder: Press Command+F, search “This Mac” > File Size > greater than 500MB, and sort by size.
Or go to About This Mac > Storage > Manage to view categories like Movies and Photos.
Delete unnecessary files or move them to an external drive. Don’t forget to review the “Other” category, which may include caches and downloads, to free up additional space.