Are you struggling with limited storage space on your Mac? One common culprit that takes up significant storage space is the "Other" category. This category includes various files like caches, temporary files, app extensions, and more. Clearing out the "Other" storage can help free up space on your Mac, improve its performance, and ensure you have enough room for your essential files and applications.
Step 1: Empty the Trash Bin. Click on the Trash Bin icon on your Dock to open it. Then, click on the "Empty" button on the top right corner of the window to permanently remove all the files in the Trash Bin.
Step 2: Remove unnecessary app extensions and plugins. Open the Finder and click on "Go" in the top menu bar. Select "Go to Folder" and type "~/Library/Application Support" (without quotes), then press Enter. Look for any app extensions or plugins that you no longer need and move them to the Trash Bin.
Step 3: Clear out system and user caches. Open the Finder and click on "Go" in the menu bar. Select "Go to Folder" and type "/Library/Caches" (without quotes), then press Enter. Delete the contents of the "Caches" folder by moving them to the Trash Bin. Repeat the same process for the "~/Library/Caches" folder in your user directory.
Step 4: Delete unnecessary old backups and disk images. If you use Time Machine for backups, check if there are old backups that you no longer need. Open the Finder, click on "Go" in the menu bar, select "Go to Folder," and type "/Volumes" (without quotes), then press Enter. Look for any old backups or disk images that you want to remove and move them to the Trash Bin.
Step 5: Remove unused language files. Some applications come with multiple language files that you may not need. They can take up significant space. Use a third-party utility like Monolingual or TinkerTool to remove unnecessary language files from your Mac.
Step 6: Clear temporary files. Open the Finder, click on "Go" in the menu bar, select "Go to Folder," and type "/private/var/folders" (without quotes), then press Enter. In the "folders" folder, look for subfolders with names like "com.apple.appstore" or "com.apple.Safari." Open each subfolder, and delete the files within them that you no longer need.
Step 7: Restart your Mac. After implementing these cleanup steps, it’s a good idea to restart your Mac. This will help ensure that all cached files and temporary data are cleared from memory, giving you a fresh start.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Frees up significant storage space on your Mac. | 1. Some files in the "Other" category may be necessary for certain applications or system functions. |
| 2. Improves overall performance and speeds up your Mac. | 2. Deleting some files without understanding their purpose may cause issues with certain apps or system features. |
| 3. Removes files that can potentially hog system resources and cause slowdowns. | 3. It’s important to exercise caution when deleting files, as some may be critical system components. |
By following these steps, you can effectively clear out the "Other" storage from your Mac, reclaim valuable space, and optimize your device’s performance. Remember to exercise caution and only delete files that you are confident are safe to remove.
Video Tutorial: How do I delete other storage on my Mac without resetting it?
Does a factory reset delete other storage on Mac?
Yes, performing a factory reset on a Mac will delete all the files and data on the device, including other storage. This is because a factory reset restores the Mac to its original factory settings, effectively erasing all user-installed applications, documents, and settings. Here are the steps to perform a factory reset on a Mac:
1. Ensure you have a backup: Before proceeding with a factory reset, it’s crucial to back up all your important files and data. This can be done by using the built-in Time Machine feature or by manually copying your data to an external storage device.
2. Restart the Mac: Go to the Apple menu and choose the "Restart" option. Alternatively, you can press the power button and then choose the "Restart" option.
3. Enter Recovery Mode: As the Mac restarts, hold down the Command (⌘) and R keys simultaneously until the Apple logo or a spinning globe appears. This will boot the Mac into Recovery Mode.
4. Access Disk Utility: Once in Recovery Mode, you’ll see a window with different macOS Utilities. Select "Disk Utility" and click "Continue."
5. Erase the hard drive: In Disk Utility, select your Mac’s main hard drive or SSD from the sidebar. It is usually named "Macintosh HD" or something similar. Click on the "Erase" button and follow the prompts to format the drive.
6. Reinstall macOS: After the drive is erased, exit Disk Utility, and select the "Reinstall macOS" option from the main macOS Utilities window. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the operating system on your Mac.
7. Set up your Mac: Once the reinstallation process completes, the Mac will restart, and you’ll be guided through the initial setup process, similar to when you first bought the device.
It’s important to note that a factory reset should be undertaken with caution as it permanently deletes all data on the Mac. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a backup of your important files before proceeding.
How do I delete Other storage on IOS?
To delete "Other" storage on iOS devices, you can follow these steps:
1. Clear Safari cache and app data:
– Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
– Scroll down and tap on Safari.
– Tap on "Clear History and Website Data".
– Confirm your choice by tapping again on "Clear History and Data".
2. Remove unnecessary apps and data:
– Open the Settings app.
– Tap on General, then iPhone/iPad Storage.
– Review the list of apps and their storage usage.
– Tap on any app that is taking up a significant amount of space and consider deleting it if it is not essential.
– Additionally, you can offload unused apps by tapping on the app name and selecting "Offload App".
3. Clear app cache:
– Some apps accumulate cache over time, which can be cleared to free up space.
– Open the Settings app.
– Tap on General, then iPhone/iPad Storage.
– Scroll down and select the app for which you want to clear the cache.
– Tap on "Delete App" and confirm deletion.
– Reinstall the app from the App Store to get a fresh installation.
4. Review and delete media files:
– Open the Photos app and go to the "Albums" tab.
– Review your photo and video collections.
– Delete any unwanted or redundant media files.
– Additionally, consider offloading media to cloud storage services like iCloud or Google Photos to save local storage.
5. Restart your device:
– Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary storage issues.
– Press and hold the power button.
– Swipe to power off.
– After the device is completely off, press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears.
By following these steps, you should be able to free up storage and delete the "Other" category on your iOS device. Remember to regularly review and manage storage to prevent it from accumulating unnecessary files and taking up valuable space.
Why does my Mac have 70 GB of other storage?
As a tech blogger, I understand that excessive "other" storage on a Mac can be quite frustrating. The "other" category encompasses all types of files and data that do not fall into specific predefined categories like photos, videos, or documents. It could include system files, caches, temporary files, app data, and more. Here are a few possible reasons why your Mac might have 70 GB of "other" storage:
1. System Files: Mac OS X contains essential system files that are grouped under the "other" category. These files, including system libraries and frameworks, are necessary for the operating system to function correctly.
2. Cache and Temporary Files: Applications often generate temporary files or cache data to improve performance. Over time, these files can accumulate and occupy a significant amount of storage space. Clearing caches and temporary files periodically might help reduce the "other" storage usage.
3. Spotlight Indexing: Spotlight is Apple’s search technology that indexes files on your Mac for quick accessibility. During the indexing process, the system creates temporary files to store this data. These files are classified as "other" until the indexing is complete.
4. Virtual Memory and Swap Files: Macs use virtual memory to compensate for the shortage of physical RAM. If your Mac is running low on memory, it creates swap files to offload data from RAM. These files are counted as "other" storage and can accumulate if you frequently run memory-intensive tasks.
5. Application Support and Plug-ins: Some applications store additional files in the "Application Support" folder, which are not recognized under specific categories. Additionally, plug-ins and extensions for various apps may also contribute to the "other" storage.
To address the issue of excessive "other" storage, here are some steps you can consider:
a. Clear Caches: You can manually clear caches by going to the Library folder in your user account or using third-party tools like CleanMyMac or Onyx.
b. Remove Unwanted Apps: Uninstalling unnecessary applications can free up space taken by associated support files and data.
c. Manage Storage: Go to the "Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage" to analyze which apps or files are occupying the most space. Consider removing unnecessary files or transferring them to external storage.
d. Reset Spotlight: If you suspect Spotlight indexing is the cause, you can reset the index by going to "System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy," adding your hard drive, and then removing it after a few seconds.
e. Run Disk Utility: Disk Utility can help identify and fix any potential file system errors or inconsistencies on your Mac’s storage drive.
Remember to always keep a backup of your important files before performing any system-related changes or installations. This way, you can ensure the safety of your data throughout the process.
How do I delete other files from my storage?
When it comes to deleting "other" files from your storage, there are a few steps you can take to manage and free up space on your device. Here’s a guide on how to accomplish this:
1. Identify the "Other" files: To understand what "Other" files are taking up space on your device, you need to dig into your storage settings. On iOS devices, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android devices, go to Settings > Storage.
2. Clear cache and temporary files:
– iOS: Consider heading to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. This will remove website data, cookies, and cached files.
– Android: Access the Settings > Storage > Cached Data option, and tap on it to clear the cached data for all apps or specific ones.
3. Manage app data: Some apps accumulate large amounts of data over time. Here’s how you can manage them:
– iOS: Within iPhone Storage settings, you’ll see a list of apps sorted by the storage space they occupy. Tap on an app to see the option to "Offload App" or "Delete App." Offloading removes the app but keeps its data, while deleting removes the app and its data.
– Android: Go to Settings > Apps or Application Manager, then select an app to view its details. From there, you can clear cache and data associated with specific apps.
4. Review and delete large files: If you have files like videos, documents, or photos taking up substantial space, it’s worth deleting or moving them to external storage options like cloud services or physical drives.
5. Use optimization features: Both iOS and Android offer built-in optimization tools that can help manage storage space. For example:
– iOS: Utilize the "Offload Unused Apps" option found in Settings > General > iPhone Storage. This removes apps that you rarely use, but keeps their documents and data.
– Android: Look for a feature called "Smart Storage" or similar, which can automatically delete backed-up photos and free up storage.
Remember, "Other" files may include system data, cached files, and app data that may be necessary for the smooth functioning of your device. Exercise caution when deleting files and ensure you don’t remove anything important or critical for the device’s operation.
How do I get rid of 50gb of other storage on my Mac?
To free up 50GB of "Other" storage on your Mac, you can follow these steps from a professional point of view:
1. Clear browser caches and temporary files: Browsers like Safari, Chrome, and Firefox store temporary files and caches that can accumulate over time. Clearing these files can help reclaim significant storage space. Go to the Preferences or Settings of your respective browser and find the option to clear caches and temporary files.
2. Remove unnecessary applications: Check your Applications folder and identify any applications that you no longer need or use. Uninstalling these apps will not only free up storage but can also improve system performance. To remove applications, simply drag them to the Trash or use an uninstaller application if available.
3. Delete large files and folders: Use the built-in Finder search or third-party tools to identify large files and folders taking up unnecessary space. Sort them by size and delete any files or folders that you no longer need. Remember to empty the Trash to permanently free up the space.
4. Manage email attachments and downloads: Email attachments and downloads can quickly accumulate on your Mac, consuming storage space. Regularly go through your email attachments and Downloads folder to delete any unnecessary files. Move important files to external storage or cloud storage solutions like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox to free up space on your Mac.
5. Clear system caches: Over time, system caches can occupy a significant amount of storage space. Clearing system caches can be done manually or by using third-party tools designed for this purpose. Be cautious when deleting system caches, as some may be required by certain applications or the system itself.
6. Look for large, unused files using specialized tools: Utilize apps like DaisyDisk or GrandPerspective that provide a visual representation of your storage usage. These tools identify large files and visually display where they are located, allowing you to delete or move them to external storage.
7. Optimize iCloud storage: If you use iCloud to sync your files, consider optimizing your iCloud storage by storing only essential files on your Mac. Enable the "Optimize Mac Storage" option in System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive to automatically manage storage locally and store less-used files in the cloud.
8. Empty the Trash: Remember to empty the Trash on your Mac to permanently delete files and free up the corresponding storage space. You can securely empty the Trash by right-clicking on it and selecting the "Secure Empty Trash" option.
Following these steps should help you reclaim a significant amount of "Other" storage on your Mac, freeing up space for better system performance and increased storage capacity.