How to Optimise Storage on Your Mac to Improve Performance

See what is taking up space

• macOS Ventura and later: go to the Apple menu › System Settings › General › Storage.
• Older versions: go to the Apple menu › About This Mac › Storage.

The bar at the top shows the space used by each category (Applications, Documents…). For some categories, the More Info button lists the files and lets you delete them.

macOS recommendations

On the same Storage page, below the bar, macOS offers three settings:

• Store in iCloud: this option stores your Desktop and Documents files, photos, videos and messages in iCloud. When space runs low, the Mac only keeps recently opened files. You will need enough iCloud storage.
• Optimise Storage: when space runs low, this option removes Apple TV films and TV programmes you have already watched and only keeps recent email attachments.
• Empty Bin Automatically: this option erases items that have been in the Bin for more than 30 days.

Free up space yourself

1. 1

   Empty the Bin

   A file moved to the Bin still takes up space on the drive: the space is only freed once the Bin has been emptied.

2. 2

   Sort out your Downloads folder

   This folder keeps everything you have downloaded, including installers and large files that are often no longer needed.

3. 3

   Delete apps you don’t use

   Delete the apps you no longer use, as well as old iPhone or iPad backups, which are often very large.

4. 4

   Move large libraries

   Your Photos library or iMovie library can be moved to an external drive.

5. 5

   Clean up Mail

   In the Mail app, choose Mailbox › Erase Junk Mail, then Mailbox › Erase Deleted Items.

6. 6

   Compress what you keep but never open

   Archive folders that you keep but never open take up less space once compressed.

Is your Mac slow even with free space? The cause probably lies elsewhere: read our article Slow MacBook: causes and solutions.

When the drive is too small

On a 128 GB Mac, a clear-out often isn’t enough for long. On many MacBooks, the SSD can be replaced with a larger one:

• Larger Apple SSD: on 2013 to 2017 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Retina models, such as the MacBook Air A1466 or MacBook Pro Retina A1502, the original SSD can be replaced with a 256 GB or 512 GB SSD.
• 2.5-inch SATA SSD: on older MacBook and MacBook Pro models fitted with a 2.5-inch hard drive, a SATA SSD takes its place and makes the Mac much faster.
• All models: you can easily find the right SSD for your model.

Before replacing it, back up your files. If the new SSD is blank, install macOS on it by following our guide how to install macOS on a hard drive for an Intel Mac, then restore your files from your backup.

Find the part for my Mac

Not sure which model you have? Quickly identify the parts you need for this repair without making a mistake.

Identify my Mac

Need help with the repair? We offer tutorials to guide you step by step through replacing the SSD. Our team of technicians is also on hand if you need advice.