Mac only
Mac storage full? What to do
A full disk slows your Mac and stops updates. Here is how to find what fills it, and how to make room for good.
A full Mac can freeze, fail to save and refuse updates. You do not need to buy a bigger Mac. Start by seeing what takes the space, then clear the easy things first.
See what takes the space
Open System Settings, go to General, then Storage. The bar shows what uses your disk: Applications, Documents, Photos, Messages and System Data. Click the info button next to a row to see more.
Clear the easy things first
- Empty the TrashDeleted files stay in the Trash and still use space. In Finder, choose Empty Trash. In Finder Settings, under Advanced, you can have it empty itself after 30 days.
- Look in DownloadsOld installers and zip files pile up here. Sort by size and delete what you no longer need.
- Find large filesIn Storage settings, open Documents to see your biggest files and folders. Videos, disk images and old projects are common.
- Remove apps you do not useOpen Applications in the Storage list and remove what you have not opened in a long time.
- Check Photos and MessagesPhoto libraries and message attachments can take many gigabytes. Storage settings shows both.
Do not delete files inside System folders or the Library folder to save space. If you are unsure about a file, leave it.
When you still need more room
Many Macs have more files than disk. Photos, video and old projects are the usual cause. Moving them to the cloud you already pay for is often faster than deleting them.
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 does System Data mean?
It is a mix of caches, logs, local snapshots and other files macOS keeps. It can grow large. See our page on the startup disk for more.
Is it safe to delete files to make room?
Delete your own files you no longer need, such as old downloads. Do not delete files in system folders. If you are not sure, leave the file.
How much free space should my Mac have?
A good aim is to keep at least 10 to 15 percent of the disk free. A fuller disk can make the Mac slow and can stop macOS updates.
Will files in the cloud still be there if my Mac breaks?
Yes, they live in your cloud account, not on the Mac. Check your cloud’s own plan and terms, and keep a second copy of anything 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.