To free up space on a Mac, first check Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage (macOS Ventura 13 and later), then review large files in Documents and remove only items you no longer need. Empty Trash afterward; moving files to Trash alone does not reclaim their space. If you want to keep large files, move them to an external drive or use iCloud options to reduce how much content is stored locally.
Check what is using storage
On macOS Ventura 13 and later, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage. The storage view groups usage by category so you can identify where to focus. On earlier macOS versions, Apple’s support route is About This Mac > Storage; labels and controls can differ by version. See Apple’s storage guide for current controls.
Start with the largest categories rather than trying to clean every category. Some categories contain files you can recognize and manage; others are maintained by macOS.
Find large files and review them safely
In Storage settings, open Documents and use the large-file controls. Apple also describes a File Browser for reviewing files; you can sort files by size to bring the largest items into view. Check each file’s location and purpose before removing it. A large file may be an app asset, work project, or archive you still need.
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- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
- Downloads: Look for installers, duplicate downloads, and old files you recognize and no longer need.
- Photos, videos, and other media: Remove items only if you have another copy or can download them again. Streaming availability does not guarantee that every local file can be recovered.
- Apps: Uninstall apps you no longer use, taking care not to remove an app whose data or related files you still need.
- Device backups: Review older iPhone or iPad backups and remove only those you are sure you no longer need.
- Mail: If Mail uses substantial space, review junk and deleted messages and clear them when you are sure they are unwanted.
Apple’s guide to finding and deleting files explains the available file-review controls.
Delete files and make the space available
- Move only the files you have decided to remove to Trash.
- Open Trash and check its contents before emptying it.
- Choose Empty or Empty Trash to permanently remove those items and make the space available.
Until Trash is emptied, its contents still occupy storage. Emptying Trash is permanent, so confirm that nothing in it needs to be restored.
Rank #2
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Keep files without keeping them all on your Mac
If you want to retain large files, you can move them to another storage device or use iCloud options that make selected content available on demand. An external drive is another location for files, not an expansion of the Mac’s built-in storage. Check the drive’s capacity and connection compatibility, and consider whether you need the files when the drive is not connected.
iCloud optimization can reduce local storage use for selected content, but it depends on suitable iCloud settings and enough available iCloud account storage. Content stored in the cloud may need to download before it is available locally. Apple describes options such as Store in iCloud in its Optimize Storage guide.
Rank #3
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
| Option | Useful when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| External storage | You want to keep a large library or archive outside the Mac’s internal drive. | Files on the drive may be unavailable when it is disconnected; check its capacity and connection compatibility. |
| iCloud optimization | You want selected content managed across devices and can use available iCloud storage. | Some content may need an internet connection to download, and the setup requires sufficient account storage. |
What to do about System Data
System Data is a broad category, not a folder of files that are all safe to delete. It can include logs, caches, virtual memory files, temporary files, fonts, app support files, plug-ins, and runtime resources. Its size varies with the Mac’s current state, and macOS manages its contents. Apple says macOS clears caches and logs that are safe to delete when space is needed, including temporary database files, interrupted downloads, staged macOS and app updates, and Safari website data.
Do not manually remove unfamiliar items from Library or system folders just because System Data looks large. macOS may need those files, and the category can change over time. Apple explains the category in its file-finding guide and describes automatic cleanup in Optimize storage space on your Mac.
Rank #4
- Note: Magsafe is not available in this version
- High-speed Data Transfer: Lexar external SSD ES3 supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write to transfer files fast for more efficient work. (Performance may be lower if not supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 on Mac and other systems)
- Wide Compatibility: Lexar Portable SSD ES3 compatibility with iPhone 17 series (Not supported on iPhone 14 and older models), Android mobile devices, laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5, gaming console, and more
- On The Go: Lexar external solid state drive ES3's thin, stylish, and durable design, weighs 42g and is only 10.5mm thick, making it smaller than a card and easily fits in your pocket. It comes with a Type-C cable for plug-and-play convenience
- Data Safety First: Lexar SSD ES3 includes Lexar DataShieldTM 256-bit AES encryption software to protect files
If you need temporary space for an update or copy
If a task is blocked by low storage, removing a few known, disposable files and emptying Trash is the most direct first step. Apple also notes that starting in Safe Mode can temporarily clear certain caches and may help create room for an operation such as installing a macOS update. Caches are recreated as needed, so this is not a reliable way to reclaim a lasting amount of space. See Apple’s support guidance for the Safe Mode option.
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