Mac is a powerful device for users to manage their work-life balance. Inevitably though, over time, just like any other device, it starts to accumulate trash, cache and other unnecessary files. They are stored in the hard drive taking up a significant amount of space that was once available for storing important files. This can lead to a significant slow down in the device and sometimes even cause it to crash. To prevent this occurrence, it is important to clean up other storage on the Mac system. This article will guide you through different methods to efficiently clean up the other storage on your Mac.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To effectively clean up your other storage on Mac, there are various tools and applications that will be needed. They include:
- CleanMyMac X
- Disk Drill
- Daisy Disk
- CCleaner
What Requires Your Focus?
Before commencing the cleaning process, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Determine the amount of other storage on your Mac.
- Identify the applications taking up most of the space.
- Ensure that you have sufficient space to store downloaded files after the cleanup.
Different Methods to Clean Up The Other Storage on Mac
Method 1: CleanMac X
CleanMyMac X is a comprehensive cleaning tool for Mac systems that can clean up cache, logs, unwanted files and boost system performance. Here are the steps to clean up storage using CleanMyMac X.
- Download and install CleanMyMac X from the official website.
- Open the application and navigate to ‘Smart Scan’ on the side menu of the application.
- After Smart Scan is initiated, the application analyses your system providing data on the storage status and potential issues that need attention.
- Select ‘Clean’ after the analysis.
- Confirm deletion of the files by selecting ‘Clean’ again.
- CleanMyMac X will free up storage from your Mac and improve system performance.
Pros:
- Quick and comprehensive.
- Automatically identifies potential issues in the system.
- Offers additional maintenance and protection features.
Cons:
- Free version is limited.
- Requires a license to access all features.
- Not ideal for users who prefer manual control over their applications.
Method 2: Disk Drill
Disk Drill is an application specifically designed to clean up your storage by scanning the disk usage and capturing any abnormalities such as bad blocks, damaged partitions and other issues requiring attention.
- Download and install Disk Drill on your Mac from the official website.
- Navigate to ‘Disk Health’ on the sidebar of the application.
- Select ‘Scan’ to initiate the procedure.
- Once the scan is complete, select the results.
- Select ‘Clean Up’ to delete all the unused files and unwanted data.
- Confirm deletion by selecting ‘Yes’.
Pros:
- Provides an efficient method of scanning disk usage.
- Offers an intuitive user interface.
- Provides additional features such as recovery tools.
Cons:
- The free version is limited in terms of features.
- Requires an upgrade to access full features.
- Sometimes misses some temporary files.
Method 3: Daisy Disk
Daisy Disk is an application that offers a comprehensive approach to analyzing your Mac’s storage. The tool presents the data using interactive visual representations in the form of a graph, making it easy to locate the files that take up the most space.
- Download and install Daisy Disk from the official website.
- Launch Daisy Disk and select the device you want to clean up.
- Click on the scan button.
- The application will present a pie chart displaying the distribution of your data.
- Select the folder where the unwanted files are stored.
- Click on the column that represents the file you want to delete.
- Select the file you want to delete and click on the delete button.
Pros:
- Provides an effective means of visual representation of storage usage.
- Offers interactivity with the user.
- Both comprehensive and user-friendly.
Cons:
- Paid application.
- Some users have raised concerns with the accuracy of the data portrayed by the application.
Why Can’t I Clean Up The Other Storage on My Mac?
- Reason 1: The files could be locked and protected by the system.
- Fix: Unlock the files by using the administrator’s account.
- Reason 2: Inaccessible files stored in iCloud.
- Fix: Check your iCloud settings and transfer the files to your device.
- Reason 3: Other storage believed to be system essential files.
- Fix: Use a system cleaning agent to remove the files, such as CleanMyMac X.
Implications and Recommendations
Free storage space is important in keeping your Mac in good health and preventing it from slowing down or crashing. After clearing out the unwanted files, it is important to keep track of the storage regularly to ensure that it does not accumulate again. One way of preventing this is by setting up an automatic cleaning schedule or manually cleaning up after every session.
5 FAQs About Cleaning Up the Other Storage on Mac
Q: What is the other category of storage on my Mac?
A: The ‘Other’ category of storage on your Mac includes large files, documents, caches, temporary files, downloads and other miscellaneous files. It may also include system files and user files that are not categorized elsewhere.
Q: How do I check the storage space on my Mac?
A: Click on the Apple logo located in the top left corner of your screen. Click on ‘About this Mac.’ You’ll see the ‘Storage’ tab. Click on it to see the system’s storage data.
Q: Can I delete the ‘Other’ storage?
A: Yes, you can delete the ‘Other’ storage. The ‘Other’ category of data includes files such as downloaded files, the cache and other miscellaneous data that can be deleted without causing any harm to your Mac.
Q: How often should I clean up my Mac?
A: It is recommended that you clean up your Mac every quarter to avoid the accumulation of unwanted files.
Q: What happens if I delete an essential system file?
A: Deleted system files can cause your system to malfunction or crash. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution when deleting files manually and ensure that you have a backup before making any changes to your system.
In Conclusion
Cleaning up the other storage in Macs should be a regular maintenance activity for all users. It helps to improve the performance of the system by freeing up enormous amounts of storage used by unwanted files. Users can select either of the methods mentioned above or combine them for a more comprehensive scan of their system. With all the steps and information provided in this article, navigating the cleaning up of the other storage on your Mac should now be easier.