Running out of storage space on your Mac can be frustrating, especially if you have a lot of important files and applications that you need to keep. But fear not, there are ways to free up space and maximize your storage. In this post, we’ll go over some tips and recommendations to help you do just that.
Before you start, it’s a good idea to make a Time Machine backup in case you accidentally delete something important. Once you have a backup, you can start with the following recommendations.
First, check how much storage you have by going to the Apple menu, selecting About This Mac, and then clicking the Storage tab. Here, you’ll see how much storage you have and which types of files are taking up the most space. This will help you identify which areas you need to focus on.
If iCloud is already turned on, your first recommendation will be to Store in iCloud. Click Store in iCloud and then select what you’d like to store. You can choose to store Desktop and Documents, Photos, and Messages. Storing files in iCloud uses the space in your iCloud storage plan, so you may need to upgrade depending on what you choose.
If you click Optimize Storage, you can remove TV shows and movies you’ve purchased from the iTunes Store and already watched. You’ll be able to download these again if you need to. And if you turn on Empty Trash Automatically, files you’ve moved to the Trash will be permanently deleted after 30 days.
Reduce Clutter is another helpful feature that will help you quickly identify large files, downloads, and apps you might no longer need. This can be a great way to free up space without having to delete anything manually.
If you want to go a step further and free up space manually, you can do so in Manage Storage. You’ll see categories like Applications, Documents, and more, as well as how much space other users are taking up if you have multiple user accounts. You can sort by things like the date they were last accessed or size, which can help you decide what to delete. Just select an app, click Delete, then confirm you want to delete it. Enter your password or use Touch ID and you’re done!
If you still need more space, you can move large files to an external hard drive or delete files manually from the Finder. There are many ways to free up space on your Mac, so don’t be afraid to try different methods until you find what works best for you.
With these tips and recommendations, you’ll be able to increase your storage and keep your Mac running smoothly. Time to get organizing!