Mac Tutorials
Manage Storage on Your Mac: A Complete Guide
Welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to manage the storage on your Mac computer. In this article, we walk you through each step of the process to help you understand how much space you have left and offer suggestions on how to clear and free up space. 🚀 ⬆️
Check Mac Storage
Start by navigating to the Apple icon located at the top left of your screen and click on ‘About This Mac’. Next, select the Storage tab. This window provides a summary of your storage availability and a breakdown of what kind of files are occupying space on your Mac computer. 👀💻
Manage Mac Storage
In the same Storage window, click on the ‘Manage’ option. Here, Apple offers four key recommendations to free up space. These are: using iCloud or any other cloud service for storing files 🗂, optimizing space by removing unwatched TV shows or movies 🎬, emptying the trash bin 🗑, and reducing clutter. 👌
Review & Remove Large Files
Select ‘Review Files’ and ensure the ‘Large Files’ option is selected. The system then lists the largest files on your computer. In the ‘Last Accessed’ column, you can view the last time you used a particular file and its size. To delete a file, highlight it and click the ‘Delete’ button. 🗃🔍
Check Documents, Videos, and Applications
Lastly, be sure to check your documents, videos and applications. These categories may vary depending on what you have stored on your computer, but typically, they occupy a significant amount of storage space. Click each category to inspect the files within and remove any unnecessary items. 🕵️♂️📂
Conclusion: 🏁
With the steps above, you now have a clear guide on how to manage the storage on your Mac. This process not only helps you understand your current storage situation but also provides tactics to free up space on your computer. 🎉 Don’t forget to hit that ‘join’, ‘subscribe’, and ‘bell notification’ icon to get more useful guides. ☑️🔔 Don’t hesitate to post questions or comments below. ⬇️ Thumbs up if you found this guide helpful and consider sharing it with others who might need it. 💬👍
FAQ
How can I see how much storage I have left on my Mac?
You can see how much storage you have left on your Mac by clicking on the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage.
How do I free up storage on my Mac?
You can free up storage on your Mac by deleting unnecessary files, clearing your trash bin, uninstalling unused apps, and using the ‘Optimize Storage’ feature.
What is ‘Other’ on Mac Storage?
The ‘Other’ category in Mac storage includes files that don’t fall into other categories, such as macOS system files, temporary files, and more.
How do I remove ‘Other’ from my Mac?
To reduce the ‘Other’ storage on your Mac, you can clear your cache, delete old files, and use third-party cleaning tools.
What are some tools to manage storage on Mac?
Some popular tools to manage storage on Mac include DaisyDisk, OmniDiskSweeper, and CleanMyMac.
What is the ‘Optimize Storage’ option on Mac?
The ‘Optimize Storage’ option on Mac automatically stores files in iCloud only when you need them, eliminates clutter, and helps users manage storage effectively.
How can I change where my files are stored?
You can change where your files are stored by going to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive options.
How do I manage my iCloud storage?
You can manage your iCloud storage by going to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud and managing from there.
How do I upgrade my iCloud storage plan?
You can upgrade your iCloud storage plan by going to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > Manage Storage > Change Storage Plan.
What is Time Machine and how can it manage my storage?
Time Machine is an in-built feature that automatically backs up all your files to an external storage device, thus saving valuable space on your Mac.
How often should I clear my cache on my Mac?
Clearing your cache on a regular basis, such as every few months, can free up significant space and keep your Mac running smoothly.
Why is my Mac storage decreasing even when I’m not saving new files?
This could be due to system files, backups, cache, or temporary files taking up space. You can use storage management tools to identify and clear these files.
What’s taking up space on my Mac?
You can see what’s taking up space on your Mac by going to the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage. Here, you’ll see a breakdown of different file types and how much space they’re using.
Can I use an external hard drive to manage my Mac’s storage?
Yes, using an external hard drive can be an effective way to manage your Mac’s storage. You can move large files or seldom-used files onto the hard drive to free up space on your Mac.
What is the difference between storage and memory on a Mac?
Storage refers to the long-term storage of data on your hard drive, while memory (RAM) is a form of storage that is used to temporarily store data for currently running applications.
How do I permanently delete files on my Mac?
You can permanently delete files on your Mac by moving them to Trash and then emptying the Trash. Be careful though, as you won’t be able to recover these files afterwards.
Why is it important to regularly clean up my Mac’s storage?
Regularly cleaning up your Mac’s storage can help your computer run more smoothly, prevent problems with updates or software installations, and ensure that you have sufficient space for your files.
How does media and entertainment files affect my Mac’s storage?
Media and entertainment files such as movies, music, and photos can significantly consume your Mac’s storage. Regular management of these large files can substantially free up space.
Can I store files on iCloud instead of my Mac’s hard drive?
Yes, you can store files on iCloud which will be accessible from any device with your Apple ID. However, keep in mind that these files will no longer be accessible without an internet connection.
How can I view the size of my apps on Mac?
You can view the size of your apps by going to the Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage > Manage > Applications.
What should I do when my Mac’s storage is almost full?
When your Mac’s storage is almost full, you should delete unnecessary files, uninstall unused apps, and consider moving large files to an external drive or iCloud.
Can I use a cleaner app to manage my storage?
Yes, cleaner apps, like CleanMyMac, can be helpful in identifying large, unused files and can aid in the removal of temporary files and caches.
How can I free up more space on my Mac?
You can free up more space on your Mac by deleting files you no longer need, moving files to iCloud or an external storage device, emptying your trash, and optimizing your storage settings.
Why can’t I install new apps when I have free storage on my Mac?
This could be due to your Mac keeping a percentage of storage free for operating system tasks. If this is the issue, freeing up more storage should solve the problem.
What are junk files and how do they affect my Mac’s storage?
Junk files are temporary files created by apps and the system and can take up a lot of space over time. Regularly removing these files can help free up storage on your Mac.
What is the system storage on a Mac?
System storage includes files that are necessary for your Mac to operate, like the operating system files, application files, and system cache files.
Can I move my Movies folder to another drive?
Yes, similar to other types of files, you can move your Movies folder to another drive to save space on your Mac.
Can large email attachments affect my Mac’s storage?
Yes, large email attachments can take up significant space. You can save attachments to an external drive or remove them from emails to save space.
How do I move files between Mac and an external drive?
You can move files between your Mac and an external drive by simply dragging and dropping them in Finder.
What is the startup disk on a Mac?
The startup disk is the disk that your Mac uses to boot up. It contains the operating system and other essential system files.