Apple has decided to go big on its recent releases, and unlike before, Mac users now enjoy more storage on their devices. The new MacBook versions, such as the MacBook Air, are now more spacious, with a whopping 256 GB drive.
This is welcome news for all Mac users, but unfortunately, no storage can be enough. Hard drives need more space to accommodate new files, and while we can rely on cloud servers to handle part of the job, we need more practical solutions.
One way is to increase the existing storage space on our devices. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to get more storage on your Mac so you don’t occasionally run out of space.
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What causes low disk space on your Mac?
Running out of space on your Mac presents many challenges. Other than your device developing common issues associated with low disk space, it could also hamper your computing experience and affect how you handle your daily tasks.
Usually, it’s recommended for your Mac to have at least some free space to use for creating memory swap space. This is crucial to managing memory use, regardless of the amount of RAM your device has.
To check how much storage your Mac has, follow these steps:
- Go to the Apple menu.
- Select About This Mac.
- Select Storage.
This will help you know what is consuming your storage and whether you should free up disk space on your Mac for optimal performance.
What consumes disk space on Mac?
Several usual suspects consume significant storage on your Mac. Understanding what they are can help you regain valuable disk space and keep your device running smoothly.
- Applications: Every application installed, whether preloaded with macOS or the third-party software you’ve downloaded, occupies considerable space. Some tend to accumulate additional data over time, further consuming storage.
- Documents and downloads: Your Mac comes in handy to help you keep all important files and documents at home or work. These pile up over time and consume much of your storage space.
- System data: This includes all the temporary files on your device, caches, application localizations, and many more. They are essential for various functions on your Mac but contribute significantly to clutter if left unmanaged.
- macOS Files: macOS requires storage space to store its files and data to function smoothly. All the essential system components and configurations in these files consume storage space.
How to create more storage space on Mac
Mac users are lucky as Apple provides ideas on getting more storage on your Mac through simple steps. This includes turning to iCloud storage, emptying the Bin automatically, or optimizing storage through the built-in tools.
Whatever step you take to free up disk space on Mac will depend on the version of macOS you are running. Let’s look at these straightforward ways of reclaiming storage space before expanding your Mac storage in other ways.
- Transfer files to an external Hard Drive
If you treasure a collection of your media files, you know how much space they take up on your device. Some hold beautiful memories that you don’t want to forget. So, deleting them isn’t an option, even if they consume valuable space on your Mac’s drive.
One option is transferring them to an external drive and keeping them there if needed. This is especially necessary if expanding your Mac’s storage to accommodate them isn’t feasible.
It’s a great way to get more storage on your Mac without permanently getting rid of anything.
- Remove unused apps
We’ve all been there—trying out new apps out of curiosity, only to forget about them later. Some end up lying idle, and you may not even recognize them. If you haven’t used any app on your device for a long time, the application no longer serves its purpose.
You need to remove it from your applications folder and make the storage space it was using available for other items. Luckily, you can do all this from Launchpad or the Finder through the following simple steps:
- Navigate to the Apple menu.
- Click on About This Mac.
- Select Storage.
- Click on Manage.
- Under Reduce Cluster, click Review Files to review all applications. Lastly, select the unused application and then right-click it. Choose delete to permanently remove the unused application.
- Get more storage via iCloud
Sometimes, keeping your essential files on an external drive may not appeal to you. After all, if you misplace or lose the hard drive, there is a high chance you’ll permanently lose your media files. Purchasing more storage via iCloud is often a convenient way to go.
Apple offers many plans, and you can easily upgrade to a higher plan depending on how much extra space you need. Large files such as photos require more storage, and the higher the quality, the more they take up.
So, consider all the pros and cons before opting for any plan. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get more iCloud storage on your Mac:
- Click on the Apple logo.
- Navigate to System Preferences and select Apple ID.
- Click on Manage at the bottom of the page.
- Choose Add Storage.
Follow the next steps to choose the additional storage capacity you need.
- Optimize storage with built-in tools
Apple’s got your back with built-in storage management tools that allow you to create storage on your device. Optimized storage, a macOS feature, sorts your files into categories, making reviewing and removing unnecessary items easier. Here’s how to access it:
- Navigate to the Apple Menu.
- Go to About This Mac.
- Click on Storage.
- Select Manage.
- Click on Optimize Storage.
Here, the Mac will automatically remove Apple TV movies and shows that have already been streamed and keep only recent important documents.
Final thoughts
With the tips shared above, getting more storage on a Mac is simple. More space on your device means enhanced speeds and allows you to store additional files. This ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience on your Mac.
