The main reason you should be interested in creating more space on Mac is faster speed and better performance. And who does not want a smoothly running Mac, right?
No matter if you have a fresh out of the box Mac or an older one, enough free disk space is important both for the prevention of a slow computer and for solving the issue of a problem that has already appeared.
To be sure that your computer functions properly, you should aim for at least 10%-15% of free disk space at all times. To help free up more of the storage space on your Mac, we are going to share nine short tips.
Tip #1: Strive to Have Zero Icons on Desktop
The desktop can easily become a very cluttered space on your computer. Therefore, not only will it accumulate large files that will be forgotten and just take up valuable disk space, but it will also slow down your Mac because to display each icon, your computer will use additional resources.
Tip #2: Regularly Check Storage Space
To have a better understanding of how much free storage space you can create by deleting stuff on your computer, it is best to check the current storage space situation.
It can be done by clicking on the Apple image you can see in the top left of your screen, going to the option About This Mac, and clicking on the Storage tab. The Storage menu will show you how much free space you currently have and how much of it is used by specific types of files, such as documents or photos.
Tip #3: Store in iCloud
When you are in the Storage menu, you will see a Manage button on the right side of the window. It will lead you to four options that will help you create more disk space.
The first one is the Store in iCloud. Enabling it will allow macOS to store all your files on the cloud rather than on the computer.
Tip #4: Optimize Storage
The second suggestion on the list is to Optimize Storage. If you watch TV shows and movies using Apple TV, this feature can automatically remove these files from your computer after you have already watched them.
Tip #5: Empty Bin Automatically
The third option in the menu is Empty Bin Automatically. This feature can help you out a little, but it will only automatically remove items from the Trash Bin after 30 days of their original deletion date.
To have as much free disk space as possible, you can enable this option, but you should empty the Trash Bin much more often because as long as the items are in the Trash Bin, they are still taking up space on your Mac.
Tip #6: Reduce Clutter
Reduce Clutter is the last suggestion on the Manage Storage menu. It will help you review large files, and other categories of files kept on your computer that is likely unnecessary.
Keep in mind that this is not an automatic feature, and you will only be suggested what to delete, but you have to make the final decision on your own.
Tip #7: Check the Downloads Folder
The Downloads folder is one of the most common places where unneeded files are kept because once you download something from the internet, it ends up here.
It can be videos, images, PDF flyers, tv series, or even large installation files. Give this folder a reviewing session, and get rid of the files that are no longer needed.
Tip #8: Delete Similar Photos
If you like to take a lot of pictures or work as a social media content creator, you probably have many images in your Photo Library. It is also very likely that you would find a lot of similar takes on the same picture if you would go through this folder.
Therefore, when you have some free time, invest it in reviewing your Photo Library and deleting many photos you do not need. Even if you do not work with social media, it is easy to find pictures of groceries, bus schedules, and random screenshots on almost every iPhone.
Tip #9: Remove Unneeded Apps
Make sure that you have an app revision once in a while. An app is easy to download and forget. Also, it takes a lot of disk space on your Mac, especially if you have a bunch of similar emoji apps that do practically the same thing.
If you are looking for an easy way to see all of the apps you have on your computer, you can easily find them by clicking on the Launchpad on your Dock.
