To free up space on a Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage, then start with the largest category you recognize. Review Downloads, unused apps, old device backups and Trash before removing files. Do not delete files from system folders just because they look large.
A nearly full startup disk can stop an app from updating or leave too little room for macOS to work comfortably. The safe approach is to use the Storage view to choose a category, then remove files you can identify and replace if necessary.
Check what is using space
On macOS Ventura 13 or later, choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage. The category bars update as you free space. On an older Mac, open About This Mac from the Apple menu and choose Storage. Apple explains the current paths in its storage support guide.
Start with a category whose contents you understand. Storage is an inventory, not an instruction to erase every large item. A video project, photo library or downloaded installer may be valuable even when it uses many gigabytes.
Clear space in a safe order
- Review Downloads. In Finder, choose Go > Downloads. Sort by size or date and remove duplicate installers, old disk images and files you no longer need.
- Remove unused apps. Open Applications and delete software you no longer use. Check that an app is not needed for a current project before sending it to Trash.
- Check large media. Videos and old exports are common space users. Move files you want to keep to an external drive, then confirm they open from that drive before deleting the Mac copy.
- Review local iPhone and iPad backups. If you back up devices to this Mac, old backups can take significant space. Keep the newest backup you need and remove only ones you can identify.
- Empty Trash. Moving a file to Trash does not make its space available until you empty Trash.
Use cloud and external storage deliberately
iCloud Drive and Photos can help when you have enough iCloud storage and understand which files are stored locally. An external drive is often better for archives that need to remain available without a subscription. Make at least one verified backup before removing a library or project folder from the Mac.
What not to delete
Avoid mass-deleting items in Library, System or hidden folders. Cache and support files can be tied to apps, sync services or macOS itself. If Storage shows a category you do not recognize, investigate it first instead of following a generic cleanup command from the internet.
See capacity before a cleanup
Tegaro Power can show disk capacity and current load from the menu bar. It reads those figures; it is not a cleaner and does not choose or delete files for you. For a screenshot of a folder or Storage result while you compare options, use the built-in shortcuts in our Mac screenshot guide.
Open a file, confirm it is the intended copy, and make sure another backup exists when the file is important. Do not erase a project only because it is large.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Storage on a Mac?
On macOS Ventura 13 or later, choose Apple menu, System Settings, General and Storage. Earlier macOS versions show Storage under About This Mac.
Does moving a file to Trash free space immediately?
No. The storage becomes available after you empty Trash.
Can Tegaro Power clean up my Mac disk?
No. Tegaro Power reads capacity and load; it does not delete files or act as a disk cleaner.