Are you unable to download fresh movies, music, games, or apps on your Mac? What do you see when you try to download new items? Is it the low storage error message?
Yes? Then, it is clear what you need to do. Your Mac’s drive is completely bloated with stored items, and it cannot squeeze in any more new files, documents, images, or other types of data. Your computer must be debloated and decluttered.
Before you try anything complicated, check how much storage is available.
- On macOS Monterey, you can check how much space is being used and with what by clicking the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage tab. Hover the cursor over the different segments of the bar graph to see how much space is being utilized by specific items, such as apps, photos, and files.
- On macOS Ventura, check storage space by opening System Settings > General > Storage tab.
Then, free up space by using Apple’s recommendation. When you click on the Manage button (macOS Monterey) or open Storage Settings (macOS Ventura), you will see a screen with recommendations on what you can remove to reclaim storage space. If these recommendations free enough space on your Mac, you can get back on track without fuss. But if they don’t, follow the suggestions given below.
- Uninstall irrelevant applications
You don’t need to keep all the applications around. You might not even use some of them. They are simply sitting there, taking up precious space. The best part is that removing or uninstalling unnecessary apps is a straightforward process. So, you don’t have to sit and wonder how to uninstall apps on Mac. The apps can be uninstalled via Launchpad, Finder, or the Mac App Store.
Once the apps are uninstalled, you must dig through the library to remove any residual files and data left behind by the app.
- Transfer files to the cloud
Transferring and storing files to the cloud is one of the best ways to save space on your Mac’s disk. And luckily, iCloud is an in-built cloud storage service. If you use the same Apple ID across your Apple devices, the files stored on iCloud can be accessed from anywhere and on any device.
You can click Store in iCloud to store your Mac’s Desktop and Documents folders, messages, and photos. The first 5GB of iCloud storage is free, but if you need more, you must purchase more storage.
- Clear the Trash
The Trash bin is often overlooked, where you’ll find many items idly sitting, taking up precious space. You must always empty the Trash to permanently delete the files.
You can also automate the process of deleting items from the Trash. Head to Finder > Preferences > Advanced and check the box next to Remove items from the Trash after 30 days. Then, the Trash will be automatically cleared every 30 days.
- Delete redundant files
Deleting unnecessary, irrelevant files can be a monumental task. Fortunately, Macs come with in-built tools to lessen the burden.
- On macOS Monterey or earlier, you will see an option called Reduce Clutter. This option helps in sorting through the content on the computer to assess which ones must be deleted. You can click Review Files to look at the files. You will see tabs at the top of the window for Large Files, Unsupported Apps, Downloads, File Browser, and Container. These might help to narrow down the items that must be deleted. Then, on the left, you will find categories for Documents, Applications, Messages, Mail, and iCloud. If you find any expendable item, right-click on it and choose Show in Finder > select Delete and remove the file.
- On macOS Ventura, you can do the same. But the categories may differ. The categories include Documents, Applications, Mail, iOS Files, Messages, Photos, etc. You can double-click on the categories to browse through the files and then delete them. Tabs for Unsupported Apps, Downloads, File Browser, and Large Files are also available, and the removal process is the same.
After you have moved the files or items to the Trash, remember to clear the Trash.
Additional Suggestions to Clear Space
- Attack the Downloads folder and delete all the downloaded files. This folder is the most overlooked, and the items sitting here are probably useless to you.
- Suppose you use Apple Mail, clear space by removing all the unnecessary or junk emails. Open the app > right-click a mailbox, such as the Sent folder or Inbox > choose Erase Deleted Items > Erase Junk Mail.
- Last but not least, use third-party cleaner tools to help free up space in an instant. You will get many free and paid cleaner apps for Mac at your disposal. The free apps are more limited than the paid ones. Choose wisely and let the apps automate the process of debloating your computer.
Implementing these tips and tricks to free storage space on Mac will make you an expert in managing storage.
