When your Mac's startup disk starts feeling cramped, it can be frustrating and slow down your computer. Fortunately, there are built-in tools in macOS Sierra or later that can help you manage files and optimize storage. In this article, we'll take you through 10 steps to free up space on your Mac by removing unneeded files and clearing space for the things you actually need.

To access these tools, click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen, then select 'About This Mac' and click on 'Storage.' From there, you can see a breakdown of the storage space taken up by media such as Apps, Books, Photos, and others. You can also manage your files and optimize storage from this window.

One of the first things to check is what tools your Mac offers for managing files and optimizing storage. This typically includes files like temporary and cached files, app installer packages, Time Machine backups, and similar items. These files may not be immediately apparent as to why they're taking up space, but they can add up quickly.

Another section worth exploring is the 'Other' category on your Mac's storage screen. This grey section can make up an awful lot of storage, and it's not immediately apparent what kind of data is stored there. However, if you hover over each colored section in the bar, you'll see what each segment represents. This overview will show you which categories are taking up the most space, as well as how much space is available on your Mac.

To find out how much space is available on your Mac:

1. Open the Apple menu (the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen).

2. Select 'About This Mac' and click on 'Storage.'

3. Look for the bar graph that shows the breakdown of storage space taken up by different categories.

By following these 10 steps, you can breathe new life into your Mac and free up space for the things you actually need:

Step 1: Remove Unneeded Apps

Step 2: Clear Out Temporary Files

Step 3: Delete App Installer Packages

Step 4: Manage Your Photos

Step 5: Clean Up Time Machine Backups

Step 6: Empty Trash

Step 7: Review Large Files and Folders

Step 8: Consider Offloading Unused Data

Step 9: Clear Out Caches

Step 10: Check for Duplicate Files

No matter if you're tech-savvy or not, anyone can use these tips to free up space on their Mac. By following these steps, you'll be able to remove unneeded files and clear space for the things you actually need.

Last Updated: 7th February 2023 | Author: Wide Angle Software Dev Team

How to make room on startup disk