We store a large amount of information on our computers. With the passage of time we save more and more elements, so we can find ourselves in the situation that we no longer fit more. Fortunately, we have several resources to recover space on our Mac.
Many resources with which our Mac will recover as much space as possible
There are many methods to gain space on our Mac. Almost too many, as many end up being difficult to manage, have unintended consequences, or are simply temporary. Let us therefore collect what we consider to be the eight best ways to reclaim space on our Mac.
- Delete the largest files: In terms of storage, it will always be better to delete a single file of the largest size than hundreds of small ones. We can find the largest files within the Apple menu () by tapping on About this Maccoming into Storage and playing Manage. Next we select documents in the sidebar and delete the files that we consider.
- Remove apps we don’t use: Right in the same section in which we find ourselves, we can select Applications in the sidebar to see the apps that occupy the most. From here we can directly uninstall those that we do not use.
- Empty the recycle bin: Sometimes we delete a lot of files, but they stay in the recycle bin, taking up space. To avoid that, we simply right-click on it, in the Dock, and choose empty trash. Also, in the Apple () menu > About this Mac > Storage > Manage we can activate the automatic emptying of the elements that have been in the trash for more than 30 days.
- Delete local backups of iOS devices: iOS devices, in addition to making backup copies in iCloud, can make them on our Mac. It is a good idea that we review those copies and delete the ones that we no longer need. To do this we must connect our iPhone or iPad to the Mac, open the app Finder and select iPhone/iPad strip [Nombre] in the sidebar. Next we touch on Manage copies and we eliminate those that we consider appropriate.
- Remove temporary browser files: Over time we accumulate a considerable amount of content from different websites. Content that is cached so that if we ever visit the page again, it doesn’t have to be downloaded again. We can empty the Safari cache from the menu Safari > preferences entering the tab Privacy and then in Manage website data. We may remove data from specific sites or touch delete all for quick cleanup. Remember that we must re-login to the sites that require it.
- Empty the Trash in the Photos app: Just like the Trash on your Mac, the Photos app retains content that you’ve deleted in the last 30 days. At some point, if we have managed a large number of videos or photos, it is a good idea to empty it manually. We’ll do this in the Photos app, selecting Removed in the sidebar and then tapping delete all.
- Sort the Downloads folder: The Downloads folder is usually another point of occupation of space on the Mac. It is common for us to download large files that, over time, remain there. It is always a good idea to go through the folder well, delete everything that is left over and move what we really want to save to Documents or similar folders.
- Use iCloud Drive to save files: Thanks to iCloud Drive, all our files are also in the cloud. Whenever your Mac runs low on space, it deletes the local copy and keeps only the iCloud copy, so the space is freed up without having to delete anything.
With these eight resources we can quickly recover the space on our Mac. Resources that we should not expect to be left with little space to carry out, but it is a good idea that Let’s incorporate it into our usual workflow to always keep enough storage free to be able to act comfortably.
Image | Ben Kolde
