7 Ways To Free Up Disk Space On A Mac

Most Macs start getting slower once the drive reaches a capacity of 80 percent. Various research studies have shown that most hard drives got slower by 17 percent as more disk space was utilized. Therefore, if you have an older or newer Mac, you must learn how its storage system works and how you can make the most out of it. In this article, we’ll share a few simple tips that you can use to convert junk into free space and boost your gadget’s performance.

1. Start by checking your Mac’s storage

Before you start thinking of ways to free up your disk space, you need to be conversant with your gadget’s storage details. Some of the key sections of your Mac’s storage include apps, documents, system data, and operating systems. If your computer is becoming slower by the day, you need to free up disk space. When disk space is full, you notice that some apps will stop responding. Knowing how to force quit application on Mac will help you stay in control of your device. So, what does force quit do on Mac? MacOS force quit is a special feature that allows you to shut down an unresponsive app forcefully. You can perform this operation using force quit keys on Mac.

2. Analyze system files and perform Mac disc cleanup

To manage Mac disk space, you have to analyze system files. While most experts report that system junk is bad for your Mac because it slows it down, the fact is only excess junk will harm your computer’s performance. A huge portion of excess junk is usually made up of browser caches, old files, backups, and app localizations. Eliminating system junk manually can be a tiring and time-consuming task even for experienced users. If you don’t have the time or energy to do this task manually, you should consider using reputable third-party apps that have been recommended by Apple.

3. Eliminate the files that you don’t need

After deleting the system files that you don’t need, you need to analyze your media. Unlike system files, media files are special. Most of them carry memories that we treasure. Instead of deleting them, you can consider saving them on an external drive or to the Cloud. To transfer your media files to iCloud, all you have to do is:

• Head to the Apple Menu and locate storage settings under the About this Mac section
• Select Store in Cloud option and choose what you want to store
• Select Store in the Cloud

By using the free plan, you’ll store up to 5GB of data. If you need more space than this, you’ll have to purchase a storage plan that suits you.

If you want to transfer your files to an external storage device:

• Head to the Finder Menu and select Home
• Click on the Pictures folder and drag it to your external storage device

4. Delete unused apps

There are several ways that you can use to delete apps on your Mac. You can either drag them from the Applications folder to the Trash or use the Launchpad or a third-party tool. Using a third-party tool is the most effective way to delete an app because the other two options usually leave some segments of the app on the drive.

Deleting apps with Launchpad is fun. All you have to do is access Launchpad from the Dock. Next, hold any app icon while pressing the Command key. When the icon starts shaking, you’ll see an X symbol near the icon. Pressing it will delete the app.

5. Delete unseen apps

As for unseen apps, most Macs have them. They usually install themselves as segments of other apps or as supporting apps. These unseen apps end up eating a lot of space. Using a reputable app cleaner will help you eliminate them and boost the performance of your computer.

6. Empty the Bin

This is the easiest and best way to clear space on mac. However, most users forget to perform this simple task. After deleting a dozen files and folders, we usually think that they are gone. However, your computer usually stores them in the Trash. To free up disk space, you have to empty the Trash. If you usually forget to perform this task, you can automate it by:

• Opening Finder and heading to the Settings section.
• Next, select Advanced and click on Remove items from the Bin after thirty days.

7. Compress files

Compressing files is a great alternative to deleting files permanently. Keep in mind that not all files can be compressed. For instance, you can reduce the size of presentations and documents substantially by compressing them. However, it’s difficult to compress movies. Fortunately, your Mac comes with an in-built tool to help you compress your files and save space.

Conclusion

Decluttering your computer will not only make your digital life more organized but also boost the performance of your Mac. Using these simple tips will help you manage memory on Mac effectively.