To free up space safely, start with macOS’s built-in Storage view, then review personal files you recognize and no longer need. Move files you want to keep to storage you control. Avoid deleting items from System or Library folders or trying to shrink System Data by hand: macOS manages that category.
Check what is using space on your Mac
Open the Storage view to see how your Mac’s internal storage is being used and which categories may be worth reviewing. The route depends on your macOS version:
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- macOS Ventura 13 or later: Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage.
- Earlier macOS versions: Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage.
Apple’s Free up storage space on Mac and Find and delete files on your Mac explain the available views and controls. Categories and the actions offered for them can vary by macOS version. Use the view to locate areas to inspect; don’t assume every item in a category is safe to delete.
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Review files you recognize and no longer need
Start with your own files rather than system folders. Apple identifies several practical places to check:
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- Downloads: Look for installers, duplicate downloads, and documents you no longer need. Open files before deleting them if you are unsure what they contain.
- Large documents and media: Review large videos, photos, and other personal files. If you still want them, move them to storage you control instead of deleting them.
- Messages and Mail: Where the Storage view offers details, inspect large attachments. Apple also recommends reviewing Mail junk and deleted items.
- Old iPhone or iPad backups: Check whether you still need a backup before removing it.
- Apps you no longer use: Uninstall them carefully; removing an app does not necessarily remove its documents or related data.
- Media you can get again: Apple lists media that can be streamed or downloaded again as a possible cleanup target. Confirm you can access it again before removing your local copy.
Apple’s Free up storage space on Mac describes these cleanup targets. The useful test is whether you know what an item is and are sure you no longer need the local copy.
Choose whether to delete files or move them
Deleting is appropriate for files you no longer want. Moving is better when you want to keep a file but don’t need it on the Mac’s internal drive. Apple recommends moving files to another storage device; an external drive can hold large media libraries, but it is optional. Check that the drive works with your Mac and keep a backup of important files.
Rank #2
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
| Choice | Use it when | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Delete | You recognize the file and no longer need it. | It remains in Trash until you empty it; emptying Trash makes deletion permanent. |
| Move to an external drive | You want to keep the file but do not need it on the internal drive. | Check compatibility and maintain a backup if the file matters. |
| Use iCloud optimization | You want some files available on demand rather than always stored locally. | Availability may depend on an internet connection, and the files use your iCloud storage plan. |
Apple’s guidance on freeing storage space covers moving files, while Optimise storage space on your Mac explains cloud and media optimization.
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iCloud optimization can make some files available on demand to reduce local storage use. That is not the same as deleting data everywhere: understand how syncing works and what will be available offline before changing settings. Optimization also uses space in your iCloud storage plan.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Apple describes other optimization behavior as well, including automatically removing watched Apple TV content and keeping only recent Mail attachments on the Mac. Check what a setting will do before enabling it, especially if you rely on local access to a file or attachment. See Apple’s Optimise storage space on your Mac.
Uninstall apps without overlooking their data
- Quit the app. Close it before trying to remove it.
- Check for the developer’s uninstaller. If a non-Apple app provides one, Apple recommends using it. It is the best way to remove the app and its related login items, extensions, or stored data.
- Otherwise, remove an eligible app through Finder. Some apps can be moved to Trash. Finder cannot remove apps required by macOS.
- Review documents separately. Deleting an app does not remove documents created with it.
- Check subscriptions separately. Removing an app does not cancel its subscription.
Apple’s Delete or uninstall apps on Mac explains the supported methods and limitations.
Rank #4
- USB-C and USB 3.1 compatible.Specific uses: Business, personal
- Innovative style with refined metal cover
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Formatted for Mac
Handle Trash and backups with care
Moving items to Trash does not free their space until you empty it. Before emptying Trash, review its contents and restore anything you may still need. Apple advises considering a backup copy when Time Machine is off or a recent backup is unavailable. Once Trash is emptied, treat those files as permanently deleted. See Apple’s instructions for deleting files and folders on Mac.
Leave System Data and system folders alone
System Data is a broad category, not a list of files you should manually remove. Apple says it can include logs, caches, virtual-memory files, temporary files, fonts, app support files, plug-ins, and runtime resources. Its size varies, and macOS manages its contents.
Apple says macOS clears caches and logs that are safe to delete when space is needed. Avoid deleting arbitrary files from System or Library folders, running unverified Terminal cleanup commands, or using a cache cleaner as routine maintenance. A large System Data figure by itself does not identify a file that is safe to remove. Apple explains the category in Find and delete files on your Mac and describes managed cleanup in Optimise storage space on your Mac.
If a nearly full startup disk is blocking an update
If you have already reviewed personal files but need temporary room for a task such as installing an update, Apple says starting in safe mode clears certain system caches that are recreated as needed. This may provide temporary space, but Apple does not promise a particular amount. Safe mode is a short-term measure, not a reason to delete system files manually. See Free up storage space on Mac.
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