How to Clean Disc Space on Mac

Are you running low on storage space on your Mac? With a large number of files, you may find yourself needing to purchase more storage space than the allotted free amount (5GB). This can quickly become an expensive option. Fortunately, there are ways to clean up disc space on your Mac and free up some much-needed room.

One way to do this is by using the built-in tools provided by Apple. To access these tools, click on the apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen, select 'About This Mac,' then 'Storage,' and finally 'Manage.' Here, you can see a breakdown of the storage space taken up on your Mac by media such as Apps, Books, Photos, and others.

Another option is to store files in iCloud. By quickly storing files (Documents, Photos, and Messages) from your Mac in iCloud, you can free up space when needed. This feature allows your Mac to automatically save space when it's needed.

The 'Other' category on your Mac can also take up a significant amount of storage without being immediately apparent what is stored there. By hovering over each colored section in the bar, you'll see what each segment represents. This will give you an overview of which categories are taking up the most space and how much space is available on your Mac.

Removing unneeded files can also help to free up space on your Mac. There are many files that can be safely deleted, such as temporary and cached files, app installer packages, Time Machine backups, and similar files. By deleting these files, you can free up valuable storage space on your Mac.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the biggest culprits of space-hogging on your Mac and provide tips on how to clean them up. Whether you're tech-savvy or not, anyone can use these tips to breathe new life into their Mac.

How to Clean Up Space on Your Mac

1. Check storage usage: Start by checking the storage usage on your Mac. To do this, click on the apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen, select 'About This Mac,' then 'Storage,' and finally 'Manage.'

2. Identify space-hogging files: Look for files that are taking up a lot of space on your Mac. These may include temporary and cached files, app installer packages, Time Machine backups, and similar files.

3. Delete unneeded files: Once you've identified the files taking up space on your Mac, delete any that you don't need. This can help to free up valuable storage space on your Mac.

4. Store files in iCloud: Consider storing files in iCloud to free up space on your Mac. By quickly storing files (Documents, Photos, and Messages) from your Mac in iCloud, you can free up space when needed.

5. Use the 'Other' category: The 'Other' category on your Mac can take up a significant amount of storage without being immediately apparent what is stored there. By hovering over each colored section in the bar, you'll see what each segment represents.

By following these steps, you can free up space on your Mac and breathe new life into your computer. Whether you're running low on storage space or just want to optimize your Mac's performance, these tips can help you achieve your goals.

Cleaning up disc space on your Mac is easier than you might think. By using the built-in tools provided by Apple, storing files in iCloud, and removing unneeded files, you can free up valuable storage space on your Mac. Remember to regularly check storage usage and identify space-hogging files to keep your Mac running smoothly and efficiently.

About the Author

This article was written by the Wide Angle Software Dev Team. Last updated: 7th February 2023.

Clean disc space on mac