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Running out of storage on your Mac can prevent you from downloading files, installing updates, and saving new projects. The good news is that you can often free up space in a few minutes without installing extra software.
The quickest way is to remove large files you no longer need, clear old downloads and unused apps, and check Apple’s built-in storage settings.
Here are three simple ways to clear disk space on your Mac safely.
1. Delete Large Files You No Longer Need
Large files can fill your Mac’s storage quickly. Videos, old projects, ZIP archives, and downloaded installers are common examples.
Instead of opening every folder, use Finder to find files that take up the most space.
Steps to Find Large Files
- Open Finder on your Mac.
- Press Command + F to start a search.
- Choose your Mac or home folder as the search location.
- Click the + button to add a search filter.
- Select File Size from the available search options.
- Choose is greater than and enter a size, such as 500 MB.
- Review the results and look for files you no longer need.
- Move unwanted files to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash after checking its contents.
If you cannot find File Size in the search options, check the available search filters. The layout may differ between macOS versions.
Which Files Should You Delete?
Start by checking these locations:
- Downloads: Old installers, ZIP files, and duplicate downloads.
- Desktop: Large files and old project folders.
- Movies: Screen recordings and videos you no longer need.
- Documents: Old presentations, exported files, and unused archives.
- Creative projects: Old video, music, or design projects that you have already backed up.
If your Desktop contains lots of screenshots, review them before deleting anything. Our guide on how to take screenshots on a Mac can also help if you need to manage screenshots more effectively.
Important: Files in the Trash still take up storage. Empty the Trash to reclaim that space. Once you empty it, you may not be able to recover those files.
2. Clear Downloads and Remove Unused Apps
Your Downloads folder is one of the easiest places to start. It may contain files you downloaded months ago and no longer use.
For example, after installing a Mac app, you might still have its original DMG installer. If the app works correctly, you can usually delete that installer and download it again later if needed.
How to Clean Your Downloads Folder
- Open Finder.
- Click Go in the menu bar.
- Select Downloads.
- Sort the files by size or date, if available.
- Remove old installers, duplicate files, and archives you no longer need.
- Empty the Trash after reviewing its contents.
You should also check your Desktop and Documents folders. Some apps and web browsers save files in different locations.
Remove Apps You No Longer Use
Games, video editors, music software, and development tools can take up a lot of storage.
To find large apps, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage. Look for Applications and review the apps listed there.
On older versions of macOS, open Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage. You may see a Manage button with more storage options.
To remove an app:
- Close the app.
- Open Finder and select Applications.
- Find the app you no longer need.
- Move it to the Trash if it can be removed this way.
- Empty the Trash when you are sure you no longer need it.
Some apps include their own uninstallers. Use them when available, especially for software that installs extra tools or background services.
Keep in mind that deleting an app may not remove all the files it created. Do not delete hidden folders just because they have the app’s name. They may contain saved projects, settings, or other important data.
3. Use Your Mac’s Storage Settings
If you have deleted files but still need more space, check the storage settings built into macOS.
This screen shows which types of files use the most storage. You can then focus on the areas that need attention.
How to Check Your Mac’s Storage
- Click the Apple menu.
- Open System Settings.
- Select General.
- Click Storage.
- Wait for your Mac to calculate the storage used.
- Review the categories and open the available information panels.
On older versions, go to Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage.
Pay attention to these categories.
Applications: Find large apps you no longer use, including games and editing software.
Documents: Look for large files, old downloads, and archives.
Photos: If you use iCloud Photos, the Optimize Mac Storage setting can reduce the space used by your photo library on your Mac.
Messages: Review large photos and videos you no longer need.
Music Creation and Developer: These categories may contain sound libraries, extra instruments, or development files. Remove them only if you know you no longer need them.
System Data: This category includes different files used by macOS and your apps. It may contain temporary files, saved app data, and other system files. A large number does not automatically mean that everything in this category is safe to delete.
Use Apple’s Storage Options
Depending on your macOS version, you may see several options to help manage storage.
- Optimize Storage: Helps manage certain downloaded movies, TV shows, and email attachments.
- Store in iCloud: Lets you keep supported files in iCloud and reduce the space they use on your Mac.
- Empty Trash Automatically: Removes items that have remained in the Trash for 30 days when this option is available and enabled.
- Review Files: Helps you find large files that you may no longer need.
Read the description of each option before turning it on.
Remember that iCloud storage and Mac storage are different. Moving or syncing files through iCloud may require an internet connection and enough available space in your iCloud account. Deleting a file that syncs across devices can also remove it from those devices.
For more details, visit Apple’s official guide to freeing up storage on a Mac.
What If Your Mac Still Has Almost No Free Space?
Sometimes, deleting files does not seem to make much difference. If this happens, try restarting your Mac and checking Storage again.
There are several possible reasons.
- Old backups: Your Mac may have local backups that use storage.
- App files: Video editors, music apps, and games may keep large files outside their main app folders.
- Temporary files: Some apps store temporary data that can grow over time.
- Cloud files: Files from cloud services may still use space on your Mac.
- Storage information: macOS may need time to update the amount of available space shown in Settings.
If System Data takes up an unusually large amount of storage, investigate the cause before deleting anything. Avoid removing files from system folders or running commands you do not understand.
You can also try starting your Mac in Safe Mode if you need temporary space for a task such as installing a macOS update. Safe Mode clears certain temporary files, which macOS can create again when needed. It will not replace the need to remove files you no longer use.
Before installing a new version of macOS, you can also read our guide to the latest macOS beta and whether you should install it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Fastest Way to Free Up Space on a Mac?
Start by deleting large files you no longer need. Then clear old downloads, remove unused apps, and check the Storage screen for other large items. Remember to empty the Trash.
How Much Free Space Should I Keep on My Mac?
The amount depends on your Mac’s storage capacity and how you use it. Video editing, music production, and software development usually require more free space than basic web browsing.
If you plan to install a macOS update, check Apple’s storage requirements and leave extra room for the installation process.
Can I Delete Cache Files to Free Up Space?
You can remove some temporary files, but this is not the best place to start. Many cache files are small and will be created again when you use an app.
Check your large personal files, downloads, and unused apps first.
Why Is System Data Taking Up So Much Space?
System Data includes files that do not fit into other storage categories. These can include temporary files, app data, and local backups.
Check your available storage before trying to reduce this category. Do not delete random files from hidden folders because they may be important.
Do I Need a Mac Cleaner App?
No. Finder and macOS Storage settings are enough for many cleanup tasks. Extra apps can help you find large or duplicate files, but they are not necessary for basic storage cleanup.
If you choose to use a cleaning app, review its suggestions before allowing it to delete files.
Conclusion
The fastest ways to clear disk space on your Mac are to remove large files you no longer need, clean up old downloads and unused apps, and use macOS Storage settings to find other items taking up space.
Start with files you recognize. They are usually the easiest to remove safely. If your Mac still reports very little free space, investigate the cause instead of deleting system files at random.
You can often recover useful storage without installing any extra software.
