Macs come with a number of intuitive features that set them apart from other computers on the market. However, one problem that many Macs suffer from is a lack of storage space. The small storage capacities on Macs make it difficult to preserve the files you care about. Yet there are some Mac storage tips you can take advantage of to clear up more room.
Keep reading for a guide that’ll teach you how to free up your Mac disk space.
Delete Files
If you’re like most computer users, odds are that you have plenty of files taking up space that you don’t use often. An easy way to create more storage space is to delete these files.
Although there are programs that can do it for you, going through your hard drive yourself will give you more control over what you can delete. Look for old photos, files you haven’t opened in months, and anything else that you can get rid of.
When you start clearing out old files, it can be tempting to clean out everything. Make sure you keep the sentimental things. You don’t want to delete something then realize too late that you can’t get it back.
Uninstall Applications You Don’t Use
Aside from files, applications can also take up a lot of space on your hard drive. Deleting some of the nonessential ones will also help to free up space. Take a look at the ones taking up the most space, and consider getting rid of them. You can always reinstall them at a later time.
Deleting applications on a Mac is easier than on a PC. On a PC, you need to go through a separate program to delete them. However, on a Mac, dragging application icons to the trash can is enough to get rid of them.
Make sure you delete icons from your application folder. Deleting them from your Dock or Desktop will only delete the shortcut, keeping the application itself on your computer.
Clear Your Trash
It can feel rewarding to go through and delete files. However, understand that this is only part of the problem. After deleting them, make sure you delete them from your trash as well. If you don’t, they can continue to take up disk space.
To delete the files in your trash, Control + Click, then click “Empty”. You can also use a keyboard shortcut to make it easier. Press Shift + Option + Command + Delete to delete all of the files you have in your trash.
Get an External Hard Drive
In some instances, deleting files isn’t enough. After going through and clearing out files, you may find that you have as little Mac storage space as you did before. In that case, consider getting an external hard drive to help you store some of your files.
You can buy external hard drives online or in any tech store. They come with different storage capacities, ranging from a few hundred gigabytes to terabytes worth of storage space. Choose an option that will allow you to store all of the files you need to.
Finding the right external hard drive can be difficult, as there are many options to choose from. Check out this guide to learn about how to choose the right external SSD for Mac.
Take Advantage of iCloud
If you’re unfamiliar with iCloud, you’re missing out on one of the best parts of owning an Apple product. Using it will allow you to store your files in an offsite location. In some cases, you can do it for free.
Any cloud-based storage system lets you store your files in a server, then access them whenever you need to. Using Apple’s iCloud comes with the benefit of letting you store your documents, photos, and other files on your other Apple products as well. Upload a photo from your Mac to the cloud, then look at it on your iPhone later.
iCloud comes with different storage plans to choose from. The first 5 GB of storage space is free. You can then choose from paid options that range from 50 GB to 2 TB. If you have many photos, videos, and other large file types, consider investing in a larger option.
Look Into Using Another Cloud-Based Storage System
For whatever reason, you may not want to use iCloud. However, there are a number of other cloud-based storage programs that you can choose from.
If you’re a fan of Google, you can use Google Drive to store different files types. As with iCloud, there are different storage capacities and pricing options to choose from. You can also access these files on different devices, such as your phone and tablet.
Dropbox is another storage option to choose from. A great thing about Dropbox is that it allows you to store many different file types. This can be a great way to upload some file types that other clouds may not accept.
Upgrade to a Newer System
If you’ve done everything you can and can’t find a way to make more space, it might be time to upgrade to a newer Mac. Most newer models come with greater storage capacities, letting you store the files you care about without worry.
Over time, a lack of storage space may prevent you from installing the latest software updates that Apple releases. If you find yourself unable to clear up enough room to update your software, it may be a sign that it’s time to upgrade.
Out of Disk Space? This Guide Should Help
Macs are great computers, but like any other computer, it can be easy to run out of storage space. However, by following this guide and the tips mentioned, you’ll be able to clear up disk space to keep doing what you need to.
Are you ready to go about freeing up space on Mac? Before you do, take a moment to check out some of our other blog posts for more guides and tips!