How to Free Up Disk Space on macOS Big Sur

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Having enough free disk space on your Mac is important for optimal performance and ensuring you have room for new files and applications. Over time, your Mac can become filled with unnecessary files, using up precious disk space. In this guide, we'll explain how to free up disk space on macOS Big Sur in a way anyone can understand. We'll cover different methods and offer tips to help you maximize storage efficiency.

Understanding disk usage

Before you start freeing up space, it's a good idea to understand what's taking up the most space on your Mac. You can do this by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen, choosing "About This Mac," and then going to the "Storage" tab. This will tell you how your storage space is being used across different categories like Apps, Documents, Pictures, Movies, and System.

1. Optimize storage with built-in tools

macOS Big Sur provides built-in tools for optimizing storage. To access these tools, go to "About This Mac," click the "Storage" tab, and then click "Manage."

• Store in iCloud: This feature allows you to store your files, photos, and messages in iCloud. You can keep smaller versions of files on your Mac, saving a lot of space.
• Optimize Storage: With this option, your Mac will automatically delete downloaded iTunes movies and TV shows you've already watched.
• Empty the Trash automatically: macOS can automatically delete files that have been in the Trash for more than 30 days.
• Reduce clutter: You can review the files stored on your Mac to remove unnecessary files.

2. Clear cache files

Caches are temporary files that are created by apps and the system to speed up operations. However, over time, these files can accumulate and take up a lot of space.

Steps to clear cache files:

1. Open the "Finder" window.
2. Press "Command+Shift+G" to open the "Go To Folder" window.
3. Type ~/Library/Caches and press "Enter."
4. Inspect the contents of the "Caches" folder and delete files from unnecessary app caches.

Do not delete system or essential app caches unless you are sure they are unnecessary.

3. Uninstall unused apps

Apps can take up a lot of space, especially if you have an unused app on your system. Here's how you can uninstall them:

Uninstalling apps from Finder:

1. Open "Finder" and click the "Applications" folder in the sidebar.
2. Drag the app you want to uninstall to the Trash.
3. Empty the Trash to free up space.

Using Launchpad:

1. Open "Launchpad" from the Dock or press "F4" on your keyboard.
2. Find the app you want to remove.
3. Click and hold an app icon until it starts to jiggle, then click the "X" button to delete it.

4. Find and delete large files

Another effective way to free up space is to find and delete large files. You can do this by manually searching for large files.

Steps to find large files:

1. Open a new "Finder" window.
2. Press "Command + F" to bring up the search options.
3. Click on "Type" and select "Other..."
4. In the list, check "File size", and click "OK".
5. You can now filter files by size, for example, finding files larger than 500 MB.

5. Manage mail downloads

If you use the Mail app, it may automatically download all your email attachments, which can consume space.

Steps to manage mail downloads:

1. Open the "Mail" app.
2. Go to "Mail" > "Preferences."
3. Select the "Accounts" tab, choose an account, and uncheck "Download attachments."

This will stop attachments from automatically downloading, saving space on your Mac.

6. Delete old iOS backups

Old iOS device backups can take up a lot of space. Here's how to delete them:

Steps to delete old iOS backups:

1. Connect your device to your Mac and open "Finder."
2. Select your device from the sidebar.
3. Click "Manage Backups" and select the backups you want to delete.
4. Click "Delete Backup" to delete unnecessary backups.

7. Clear the Downloads folder

The Downloads folder may contain many files that you've forgotten about, many of which are no longer needed.

Steps to clear Downloads folder:

1. Open the "Finder" window and select "Downloads" from the sidebar.
2. Review the contents and move files you no longer need to the trash.
3. Empty the Trash to free up space.

8. Delete old system logs and reports

Over time, macOS generates system logs and reports that can take up space.

Steps to delete old system logs and reports:

1. Open "Finder" and press "Command+Shift+G" to open "Go To Folder."
2. Enter /var/log and press "Enter."
3. Look carefully and delete unnecessary log files.

Be careful not to delete current logs or logs that you suspect may still be relevant.

9. Manage photo library

Photos and videos can be particularly large files. Consider managing and optimizing your photo library to save space.

Using iCloud Photo Library:

• Open "Photos," click "Photos" in the menu bar and select "Preferences."
• Go to the "iCloud" tab and enable "iCloud Photos."
• Select “Optimize Mac Storage” to keep smaller photo versions on your Mac.

This will save significant space if you have large photo and video files stored in your iCloud account.

10. Archive or compress files

If you have files that you don’t need to access frequently, consider compressing them to save space.

Steps to archive files:

1. Open "Finder" and locate your files.
2. Select the files you want to compress, right-click, and choose "Compress Items."
3. This creates a small .zip file that you can archive for the next time you need it.

Archived files can significantly reduce space usage for files that do not need to be accessed frequently.

11. Use third-party storage management tools

While macOS comes with its own tools, third-party applications can provide deeper information and options for freeing up space.

Example of third-party tools:

• DaisyDisk: Provides a visual breakdown of disk usage, making it easy to figure out what's taking up space.
• CleanMyMac X: Provides features to clean system junk, uninstall apps, and perform deep scans.

Always research third-party tools to make sure they’re reputable and safe to use on your device.

Conclusion

Freeing up disk space on macOS Big Sur isn't complicated. By following these methods, you can easily recover lost space and ensure your Mac continues to run smoothly. Regular maintenance and being aware of what's on your disk are key components of good digital hygiene. Start implementing these solutions today to enjoy a clutter-free, efficient Mac experience.

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