Short answer
Open the Storage view, review large categories, and back up important files before removing anything. Emptying Trash may be necessary, but it is not the first thing to do blindly.
Find the space first
- 1
Open Storage
Choose Apple menu, System Settings, General, Storage. Give it time to calculate.
- 2
Review large categories
Applications, Documents, Messages, photos, and system data each need a different approach. Open the category before deleting.
- 3
Check the Downloads folder
Old installers and duplicate downloads can be large, but confirm the original program or file is already safe elsewhere.
- 4
Back up before cleanup
Copy important documents and photos to a verified second location. Then remove only what you recognize.
What not to do
- Do not delete files from Library or System folders because their names look unfamiliar.
- Do not empty Trash until you have checked what it contains.
- Do not install a cleanup app from a popup.
Common questions
- Does a full Mac stop working?
- It may become slow, fail to update, or behave unpredictably. Make room carefully before it reaches that point.
- Can I delete system data?
- Not by hand. System data includes items macOS manages; identify the actual cause before using cleanup tools.
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