How to Free Up Space on Mac (Complete 2025 Guide)

Your Mac may feel like a speed machine when it’s new, but over time, files pile up, apps go unused, and storage space vanishes. If you’re constantly seeing the “Your disk is almost full” message or if your Mac is lagging, it’s time to clear the clutter.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through how to free up space on a Mac, from built-in storage tools to advanced methods like clearing caches and removing system junk. Whether you’re on macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, or earlier, these steps will help you reclaim valuable storage and boost performance.

Why It’s Important to Free Up Space on Mac

Freeing up storage space isn’t just about keeping your Mac tidy—it’s essential for performance and stability. Here’s why it matters:

💨 Boost performance: A full disk can slow down app launches and macOS.
🚫 Prevent system crashes: Lack of free space causes temporary file errors.
💻 Ensure macOS updates run smoothly: You need gigabytes of free space to install updates.
🎨 Improve creative workflows: Apps like Final Cut Pro and Photoshop require temporary storage.
🧠 Extend device lifespan: A leaner Mac is a healthier Mac.

Step 1: Check What’s Taking Up Space

Before deleting anything, identify the culprits.

✅ Use macOS Storage Management Tool

Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner.
Select About This Mac > Storage tab.
Click Manage.

You’ll see categories such as:

Applications
Documents
iCloud
Mail
System
Other (or System Data in later macOS versions)

Knowing what eats the most space helps you make smart decisions.

Step 2: Use “Optimize Storage” Tools Built into macOS

macOS includes handy optimization tools that automate space-saving tasks.

🧰 How to Enable Them:

Go to Apple Menu > System Settings > General > Storage.
Click Optimize next to each option:

📽️ 1. Store in iCloud

Moves files, photos, and messages to iCloud, keeping only recent files locally.

⚠️ Requires iCloud storage (starting at 5GB free).

🗑️ 2. Optimize Storage (Movies & TV)

Automatically deletes Apple TV shows and movies you’ve already watched.

🧹 3. Empty Trash Automatically

Deletes items from Trash after 30 days.

🪄 4. Reduce Clutter

Launches a file review tool to remove large or unused files manually.

Step 3: Delete Large and Old Files

🔍 Use Finder’s Search Tool

Open Finder.
Press Command + F.
Choose File Size > is greater than > 1 GB.
Sort by Date Last Opened to find old files.

Delete or archive what you no longer need.

🧠 Tip: Move large files to an external drive or iCloud.

Step 4: Clear System and Application Caches

Apps and macOS generate cache files for faster operation—but they can balloon in size.

🧹 Steps to Clear Cache:

Open Finder.
Click Go > Go to Folder.
Type: ~/Library/Caches and hit Return.
Delete contents inside folders (not the folders themselves).

Repeat the steps for /Library/Caches (without the ~) for system-wide caches.

⚠️ Only delete cache files if you’re comfortable doing so. Some caches speed up apps.

Step 5: Uninstall Unused Applications

Some apps—especially creative software and games—can take several gigabytes.

🗑️ How to Uninstall Apps Properly:

Method 1: Drag to Trash

Go to Applications, drag the app to Trash, then Empty Trash.

Method 2: Use Finder + Library Cleanup

Delete app from Applications.
Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support and ~/Library/Preferences.
Delete associated app files manually.

Method 3: Use a Cleanup Utility

Use tools like AppCleaner (free) or CleanMyMac X for complete removal.

Step 6: Remove Duplicate Files

Duplicate files accumulate through downloads, editing, and backups.

🔍 Tools to Find and Delete Duplicates:

Gemini 2
Duplicate File Finder Remover (by Nektony)
dupeGuru (free and open-source)

🧠 Manual method: Use Finder’s search and sort by name/size/date.

Step 7: Delete Old iOS Backups

If you sync iPhones or iPads with Finder or iTunes, old backups may be eating up space.

📱 How to Find and Delete iOS Backups:

Open Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (older macOS).
Go to Preferences > Devices.
Select and delete unnecessary backups.

Step 8: Clear Downloads Folder

The Downloads folder is a common black hole of forgotten files.

🧹 Quick Clean:

Open Finder > Downloads.
Sort by Date Added or Size.
Delete or move items you no longer need.

Step 9: Clean Up Mail Attachments and Downloads

Email attachments take up space over time—especially in Mail or Outlook.

✉️ Steps:

Open Mail app.
Click Mailbox > Erase Junk Mail.
Also go to Mailbox > Erase Deleted Items.

For attachments:

In Mail > Preferences, disable automatically download attachments.
Use Mail > Message > Remove Attachments for individual messages.

Step 10: Empty the Trash

It sounds obvious, but many users forget that deleted files still live in the Trash.

🗑️ How to Empty:

Right-click the Trash icon in the Dock > Empty Trash.
Or, go to Finder > Empty Trash from the menu bar.

Step 11: Clear Temporary and Log Files

System logs and temporary files can accumulate rapidly.

🧼 Manual Method:

Go to ~/Library/Logs and /Library/Logs.
Safely delete large or outdated logs.

You can also use Terminal to clean logs, but a safer method is using a third-party tool.

Step 12: Clean “System Data” or “Other” Storage

“System Data” can include:

Caches
Disk images
App support files
Installer packages

While macOS doesn’t allow direct deletion of this category, reducing logs, caches, and unused files will help reduce its size.

🧠 Tip: Rebooting your Mac can occasionally help purge temporary system data.

Step 13: Move Files to External Storage

If your Mac has limited internal storage (e.g., 128 GB SSD), consider offloading files.

🗂️ External Storage Options:

External hard drives (USB-C/Thunderbolt)
Network-attached storage (NAS)
Cloud storage (iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox)

Create a folder called Archived or Old Projects and relocate files.

Step 14: Use Third-Party Cleaning Tools (With Caution)

These apps can automate cleanup, but use trusted ones.

🔧 Recommended Tools:

🧽 CleanMyMac X

All-in-one system cleaner and optimizer.
Removes system junk, mail attachments, logs, and more.

🧹 DaisyDisk

Visualizes storage and lets you delete large files easily.

📊 GrandPerspective

Open-source and visual—great for finding space hogs.

⚠️ Avoid sketchy “Mac Cleaner” apps from pop-ups or spammy ads.

Step 15: Create a Regular Maintenance Routine

Clearing space once isn’t enough—make cleanup a monthly habit.

🗓️ Mac Cleanup Checklist:

✅ Clear Downloads folder
✅ Uninstall unused apps
✅ Empty Trash
✅ Delete duplicate files
✅ Clear system caches
✅ Backup and remove old files

Use a calendar reminder or set up a Smart Folder to track large/old files.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How much free space should I keep on my Mac?
A: Aim to keep at least 10–15% of your storage free. That’s ~25–30 GB on a 256 GB Mac.

Q: Is “System Data” safe to delete?
A: You can’t delete it directly, but clearing cache/logs and uninstalling apps can reduce it.

Q: Can I clean my Mac without third-party apps?
A: Yes. macOS provides powerful built-in tools. However, apps like DaisyDisk or CleanMyMac make it easier.

Q: Will deleting cache files affect app performance?
A: Some apps may launch slower the first time after cache deletion but will rebuild necessary files.

Final Thoughts

Storage problems on a Mac don’t have to slow you down. By following the steps in this guide, you’ll free up gigabytes of space, boost performance, and extend the life of your machine.

Whether you’re a student, creative professional, or casual user, regular maintenance can save time and frustration down the road.

💡 Want more Mac tips and storage hacks? Bookmark www.techy247.com and never run out of space again.

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