Mac only
How to free up space on a Mac
Use what macOS gives you first. Then move the big files you want to keep to the cloud you already pay for.
You can free up a lot of space in a few minutes without any extra app. Work through these steps in order. They are safe and you decide what goes.
Steps with built-in tools
- 1. Open Storage settingsGo to System Settings, General, Storage. Wait for the bar to finish loading, then look at the biggest categories.
- 2. Turn on the built-in tipsStorage settings can offer to empty the Trash by itself, and to find large files. Turn on only what you understand.
- 3. Clean up DownloadsOpen the Downloads folder in Finder, sort by Size and delete old installers, zip files and disk images.
- 4. Empty the TrashFiles in the Trash still take space. Choose Empty Trash in Finder.
- 5. Find large filesIn Finder, press Command-F, set the search to This Mac, add the rule File Size and pick a big number. Delete or move what you do not need.
- 6. Remove unused appsDrag apps you no longer use to the Trash, or remove them from the Applications list in Storage settings.
Restarting your Mac can also clear temporary files and sometimes frees a few gigabytes.
Move files to the cloud you already pay for
If you already pay for Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or another storage, you have space you are not using on your Mac. DriveMyMac shows that storage as a drive in Finder. Files stay in the cloud and take no space on your Mac until you open them.
- Add your storageOpen DriveMyMac, choose Add storage and sign in with your cloud. The drive appears in the Finder sidebar.
- Drag a folder inDrag big folders from your Mac into the drive. Check that they are there, then delete the originals on your Mac.
- Open files when you need themA file downloads when you open it. Choose Keep on this Mac for files you want offline.
- Private by designYour files go straight from your Mac to your own cloud. DriveMyMac never sees or stores them. The sign-in stays in your Mac’s Keychain.
Works with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and more. See all supported clouds. DriveMyMac is not a backup: keep a second copy of files you cannot lose.
Questions
What is the fastest way to free up space on a Mac?
Empty the Trash, clear Downloads and delete your largest files. These three usually free the most space in a few minutes.
Can I free up space without deleting my files?
Yes. Move files you want to keep to a cloud you already pay for. With DriveMyMac they show as a drive in Finder and take no space on your Mac until you open them.
Do files in the DriveMyMac drive use my disk?
No. Files stay in your cloud and take no space on your Mac until you open them. Files you choose to keep on this Mac do use space.
Is DriveMyMac a backup?
No. It shows your cloud as a drive. If you delete a file in the drive, it is deleted in your cloud. Keep a second copy of files you cannot lose.
Do I pay for storage through DriveMyMac?
No. You keep paying your own cloud for its storage. DriveMyMac is a one-time payment per Mac, with no subscription.
Pay once. Keep it.
$5.99 lifetime at launch, then $19.99 lifetime. One time, per Mac.