
A MacBook’s drive might run out of free storage sooner than you think. Despite reliability, durability, features, and other neat advantages, Macs are not the best when it comes to overall available disk space.
Having only about 10 or 15 percent of total drive storage free leads to performance problems as the computer slows down noticeably. Besides, you might want to upgrade to a new operating system that requires more space than the previous version. And unless you free up some space on the MacBook’s drive or create a proper storage maintenance routine, updating the operating system might be impossible.
Let’s take a look at potential ways to solve the storage problems and have fewer worries about running into issues like struggling to update macOS.
Remove Localization Files
Some applications come with localization files that you might have installed without knowing about them. There is really no reason to keep 50 or even more languages for an application when English is enough, right?
Go through the application list on your Mac and check which of them have localization files. Remove the files or the applications and reinstall them without the localization files. You will be surprised how much free drive space this could free up.
Deal With Temporary Clutter
App extensions, plugins, caches, and system backups are a few temporary MacBook storage examples.
The problem with these files lies not just in the fact that they consume drive space. The sheer number of files is an issue for the MacBook’s system that needs to process the data.
Removing temporary junk manually is bothersome. Instead, you should get a cleanup utility tool that does the work for you. You can select file types you want to remove from the MacBook and leave it to the cleanup software. Finally, remember to delete these junk files regularly because they accumulate quite fast.
Archive Data
Sometimes, archiving large files could come in quite handy. Sure, the compression is not that significant as far as file size reduction goes, but it is still better than nothing.
If you have large files that you have plans with in the future and want to keep them on the MacBook for now, archive them to reduce their size.
Get Rid of Old Applications
There are bound to be a few applications you no longer use. Check the list of apps you installed on the MacBook and consider which of them you can remove from the system.
It is also important to note that if you ever need to use a deleted application again, you can download it later.
Use External HDDs and Flash Drives
An external HDD or a USB flash drive is a relatively cheap accessory that could solve your MacBook storage problems. You can transfer files to an external device and keep them there. And when you need a file, you can mount the device on the MacBook and copy the data or use it directly on the hard drive or a USB flash drive.
Other than having another location for your Mac’s files, you can also use an HDD or a flash drive with Time Machine to back up data.
Transfer Files to iCloud and Dropbox
Similar to how you can take advantage of external storage devices to relocate computer files, you can also use cloud storage.
For MacBook users, iCloud is the go-to option. The service offers five gigabytes of storage for free. However, if the offered amount is not enough, you can upgrade your iCloud plan for extra space. Right now, iCloud offers as much as 2TB of total storage for 10 dollars a month.
Stick to Streaming Services
Some people like to hoard large media files on their computer despite Netflix, Spotify, and other available streaming services.
It makes sense to take advantage of streaming platforms because they make media consumption more convenient. Accessing your favorite shows, music, and movies with a few clicks is the go-to method these days. Not to mention that you do not have to clutter your computer’s drive with media files.
Use Antivirus to Detect Potential Malware
Check whether your Mac is infected with malware. Some cybersecurity threats consume drive space. Unless you have antivirus software that can detect and eliminate such threats, the issue will persist.
Get a reliable anti-malware tool and scan the MacBook’s system and get rid of any potentially corrupted files.
Empty the Trash Bin
The final piece of advice is about emptying the Trash Bin. If you drag files in the Bin and forget to empty the Bin, the data will remain on the computer, and you will still have the storage issue.
In case you do not wish to bother with the Trash Bin, use the Option + Command + Delete keyboard shortcut. The shortcut removes selected files permanently from the MacBook, though you will need to confirm the pop-up to delete the files.