Has your Mac device been acting up lately? Perhaps, it’s slower than usual, and every time you want to install an application, it fails, and you get a ‘disk is almost full’ pop up.

The chances are that the Mac memory is running out of storage. This incident has happened to the best of us and can be frustrating. It will also make you less productive, especially if you were trying to save work files such as mail attachments.

This is why you should learn how to declutter and free up space on a Mac. The process makes your computer feel and work like it’s new.

Over time, depending on how you use your computer, it is bound to get full of applications, images, files, and junks. These MacBook tips and tricks will make the process of freeing up space on Mac manageable for you.

Know What Files to Delete

As much as you want to free up space, that does not mean that you should delete files without vigilance.

Imagine deleting a work file that contains a presentation that you are to submit in the next few hours. That can mess up your mind, and that’s why you must establish the files that you don’t need anymore.

Such files include application installers and DMG files. They are just junk or dead weight that you can do without.

The other junk that needs to go is the duplicate files. They take up lots of space, and you most likely have them if you have been using your computer for a long time.

Fortunately, there are applications that help you find duplicate files fast, thus saving you the time you would have spent searching manually.

Uninstall Unused Programs

You probably have a ton of apps that you no longer use on your Mac. Apps are among the largest files, and even installing a single program can make a huge difference.

You can spot the apps by;

• Open Finder
• Go to the applications section
• Click the four horizontal lines to display the items
• Click the size to arrange the apps by size
• Select the apps that you do not use
• Drag each of the applications to the trash

Look for the largest applications, such as games that you no longer have time to play.

Delete Messages

Besides promoting privacy in case of device theft, deleting messages from your Mac can help you create more space. Learn how to remove messages from Mac either manually or automatically. You may choose to delete the messages temporarily or permanently with just a few steps.

The process is simple, as all you have to do is select the messages you wish to delete. Click the delete icon and confirm. The same case applies if you wish to delete an entire conversation thread.

Clean the Trash Can

The trash can is one of the most overlooked aspects by individuals looking for ideas on how to free space on a Mac. They assume that since the work of a trash can is to hold junk, then it can never get full.

Remember that once you delete a file from Finder, it is sent to the trashcan, giving you a chance to access and restore it when necessary. While that brings convenience, it gets to a point where you have to eliminate the files from your Mac completely to free up space.

To do this, click the trash can. Review the files to establish which ones you might need soon and restore them. Then click empty to delete the remaining files permanently.

Make Use of External Storage to Free Up Space on a Mac

Depending on how you use your Mac, you may never find something to delete.

You may review your storage, only to realize that everything in there is relevant and can’t figure out what to let go of to free some space. Do not beat yourself up, as you can move some of the files to external storage.

You can access an external storage drive from your Mac vendor and then connect it to your Mac via USB before transferring the applications and photos that you do not need right now but might need in the future.

Nonetheless, be careful when purchasing a storage drive. It would be such a waste if you ended up with a corrupted drive as that will put all the transferred files into waste.

Clean Up iTunes Backups

If you have an iTunes backup on your iPad or iPhone, the chances are that you have huge backup files taking a large amount of space. You would be shocked to find out that you have more than a hundred GB occupied by unwanted backup files.

You may choose to delete these files manually use CleanMyMac to save time. This program will translate the file names, making it easier for you to choose the backups you wish to delete.

Delete Media Files and Downloads

It is time to let go of those photos and videos that you have been holding on to ever since you bought your Mac device. If they mean a lot to you, you can transfer them to an external storage device to free up space for new ones.

Adventurous people are always taking photos of the new places they visit, and it can be frustrating if your device fails to accommodate more. Deleting saved media plus downloaded photos is a great way to free up space for more precious memories.

All you have to do is open Finder, review the saved pictures, music, and movie folders, and select what you wish to delete. These items will be moved to the trashcan, so you can restore them later if you wish.

Improve the Efficiency of Your Mac by Freeing Some Space

Besides creating more space for new documents and media files, freeing up MacBook space maximizes the device’s efficiency. It increases the speed and how well programs respond.

Check out the tips above for ideas on how to free up space on a mac, depending on which tips work best for you.

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