how to free up hard drive space on macbook air

Repeat the process when you go to “ /Library/Caches” without using the ~.Ī handful of applications will do this for you if you install them on your device.This might be tedious if you have a lot of folders, so prioritize folders taking the most space. Go to each of the folders and delete the files inside.Type in “ ~/Library/Caches.” This will open a menu of folders, each with a cache for an application on your Mac.In Finder, go to Go, then select Go to Folder.You can also switch your music listening to a streaming solution like Apple Music or Spotify, and listen on-demand rather than keeping media saved locally to your device.

This ensures you have access to images, with the option of downloading a full-sized original, whenever you need it. You can opt for additional iCloud storage if you want to use features like iCloud Photos to store your original images, and keep only local 'optimized' versions on your Mac. You’ll also probably need to purchase additional storage to make this work for you. Any kind of bandwidth restriction or slow shared networks are also an issue. Downloading files from the cloud isn’t ideal if you’re a remote worker who often uses smartphone tethering. The biggest drawback of using the cloud as a storage device is the speed, which is limited to whatever your internet speed is. We’ve covered making a decision between network-attached storage and cloud services before, so be sure to do your research if you’re thinking of going down this route. You can always turn to the cloud for additional storage space. To perform an upgrade, you’ll need a new SSD, a screwdriver set that matches your laptop, and a spare external drive or enclosure for your old drive, so you can clone it. Some retailers, like Other World Computing, split their kits by model and year, which makes it difficult to buy the wrong one. This Instructables guide applies to most Apple laptops, but keep in mind there will be small differences for each model. These include instructions and even video resources.

In many cases, you can buy upgrade kits that include everything you need to upgrade your laptop’s storage. This renders upgrades essentially impossible, so check if your model is upgradeable before you commit to a purchase. What’s more, on the newest MacBook models, the SSD comes soldered to the logic board.

Note: Keep in mind that upgrading involves opening your laptop enclosure, which will void any warranty you have on your machine. That’s why we recommend buying the biggest capacity you can afford. You can reuse the old SSD in other computers or a portable enclosure when your MacBook eventually dies.

How to free up hard drive space on macbook air