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SSD drive on Mac boosts your productivity, yet offers less storage. If your drive is full, try these simple tips to tidy up disk on Macbook, iMac.
Check Memory on Mac
Before delving into specific methods to clean up disk, check your memory. This helps identify which data occupies the most space. Click the Apple icon >> About This Mac.
Switching to the Storage tab, here you'll find a usage breakdown for various categories including Music, Photos, System, Apps, and other large files. Hover over each category for more details.
Method 1: Utilize iCloud Backup and Reduce Clutter
Apple's storage management features help you optimize the space you're using. Among these, iCloud Backup and Reduce Clutter are particularly useful.
To access these features, open the Apple >> About This Mac >> Storage menu. On this screen, click on Manage...
To store all your large files, photos, and messages on iCloud, select Store in iCloud... You get 5GB of free storage, with paid plans offering 50GB, 200GB, and up to 2TB.
Next, choose the categories you want to offload, including Documents, Photos, and Messages. Press Store in iCloud to proceed with the backup process.
Additionally, the Reduce Clutter feature is worth noting as it helps you identify and delete unnecessary, junk files. Press Review Files to see unsupported apps, redundant data areas. Then choose whether to delete them or not.
Method 2: Remove Unused Apps
Deleting unused apps is an effective way to free up hard drive space.
- Open Launchpad from the Dock or press the Launchpad button on your keyboard.
- Hold down on the app's icon until it jiggles. Then click the X icon next to the app you want to delete.
- Select Delete to confirm deletion.
Method 3: Remove Duplicate Files
If you're not in the habit of managing your files, chances are you've accumulated numerous duplicate files. These duplicates are unnecessary and should be removed to free up disk space.
Step 1: Download and install the MacKeeper app here. This app assists in cleaning up your Mac, featuring a Duplicate Finder function to locate and delete identical files.
Step 2: Open MacKeeper >> Select Duplicate Finder on the left panel.
Step 3: Click Start Scan to begin scanning for duplicate files.
Step 4: Duplicate files will be detected and listed as a checklist. You can tick the files to be deleted.
When ready to delete the files, press Remove Duplicates.
Method 4: Automatic Trash Cleanup
Typically, you'd have to manually empty the Trash, or it will consume significant storage space. For convenience, you can set up automatic Trash cleanup.
Step 1: Navigate to About This Mac >> Storage >> Manage...
Step 2: Click Turn On… under Empty Trash Automatically.
Step 3: Confirm Turn On, you've enabled the Automatic Trash Cleanup feature. Items inside the trash for 30 days will be automatically deleted.
Method 5: Delete Old iTunes Files and iOS Backups
When backing up your iPhone and iPad to your Mac, the backups can consume a significant amount of storage.
Step 1: Return to the Storage >> Manage... window.
Step 2: Click on iOS Files on the left. Then, select the outdated iOS files that are no longer needed.
Step 3: Press Delete… to remove them.
Method 6: Optimize Memory in Photos App
If you're subscribed to the 50GB or 200GB iCloud plan, utilize the Optimize Storage feature in the Photos app.
The Optimize Storage feature backs up your entire photo library to iCloud, keeping only thumbnail versions on your device. This helps significantly reduce memory usage.
Step 1: Open the Photos app on your Mac.
Step 2: Go to Preferences...
Step 3: In the Preferences window, switch to the iCloud tab, then enable iCloud Photos >> Optimize Mac Storage.
From there, all your photos will be stored on iCloud, saving a significant amount of space on your Mac.
These are useful tips that Mytour wants to guide you on cleaning up your Mac's hard drive. Thank you for following along.
