Running out of space on a Mac Pro or even a MacBook with the tiny 256GB SSD? Yeah, it can get annoying pretty quick, especially when you keep piling up apps, backups, or language files. The thing is, macOS isn’t always the best at cleaning up on its own. Sometimes, those old iTunes backups or leftover language packs can eat up a ton of space and still be buried deep in folders we don’t touch often. So, this guide lays out some decent ways I’ve found to reclaim space without losing your sanity (or your files).Expect to be able to free some gigs, clear out old backups, and get the system running a bit smoother. Because, honestly, who wants to toss their Mac into the trash because of storage issues? Not me. Anyway, let’s get into it. Just a heads-up — these methods work most of the time, but always back up before deleting anything major, especially system files. Just in case.
How to Free Up Space on Your Mac Pro or MacBook
Method 1: Uninstall Applications You Don’t Use Anymore
This seems obvious, but tons of folks leave apps cluttering the system they haven’t touched in ages. Unused programs can be huge space hogs, especially ones that come with their own support files or logs. Removing them clears a lot of unwanted weight and can even speed things up a bit.
- Open Finder and head straight to Applications.
- Scroll through or search for the apps gathering digital dust. Once you’ve identified what’s unnecessary, drag the app to the Trash or right-click and pick Move to Trash.
- Don’t forget to empty the Trash later! Otherwise, it’s just holding on to stuff that’s technically deleted but still occupying space.
On some setups, deleting apps feels straightforward, but sometimes it’s weird — especially if apps leave leftover files. For a cleaner uninstall, you might want to run a dedicated app cleaner or check the user libraries for lingering support files.
Method 2: Get Rid of Old iPhone/iPad Backups
If you use iTunes (or Finder in newer macOS versions) to back up your iOS devices, those backups can pile up faster than you think. On some machines, deleting old backups frees up a huge chunk of space, so worth checking this out. Just be sure you really don’t need those backups anymore or store them somewhere else.
- Open Finder. In older macOS, you’d open iTunes, but now it’s all integrated into Finder— look for your device in the sidebar.
- Click on the Manage Backups button. It’s usually in the context menu or under the device’s info page.
- Select the backup(s) you want to delete, then hit Delete Backup. Confirm when prompted.
You might also want to peek into ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/ if you’re comfortable navigating the hidden folders. But I’d advise caution here; deleting the wrong files can mess things up. Some people prefer relying on the built-in management window, especially if you’re not super confident fiddling with Library folders.
Method 3: Delete Unnecessary Language Files
They’re tiny, but on some apps, extra language packs add up. If you’re monolingual or just don’t need certain languages, removing those lproj folders can free a decent chunk of space. Not a bad idea, especially if storage is tight and those apps have a lot of alternative language options pre-installed.
- Open the Applications folder, then right-click an app and choose Show Package Contents.
- Navigate to Contents > Resources. Inside, look for folders ending with .lproj (these are language packs).
- Identify the languages you don’t use — for example, if you only speak English, delete the fr.lproj, de.lproj, etc.— then move those folders to trash.
- Empty your trash afterward to reclaim space. Just a heads-up: some apps might reinstall these language packs on update, so keep that in mind.
Pro tip: use a tool like Winhance or check with third-party cleaners if you’re lazy, but be cautious about what you’re deleting — it can cause app issues if you mess up.
Method 4: Remove Old or Large Files in Downloads
This is a classic that everyone overlooks. Your Downloads folder is usually full of stuff you forgot about, including large video files, installers, or unfinished downloads. Clearing it out can free up lots of space in minutes.
- Open Finder and go to Downloads.
- Sort by size or date and delete files you no longer need. Watch out for incomplete downloads or zip files you’ve long forgotten.
Honestly, it’s worth taking a quick peek every couple of weeks to keep this folder lean.
Method 5: Empty the Trash Safely
Stuff isn’t gone until you actually empty the trash. That’s why so many folks think they’ve freed up space but haven’t. When you delete files or apps, they typically head here first.
- Click the Trash icon in the Dock.
- Review what’s inside, then either right-click and select Delete Immediately for individual items, or click Empty Trash at the top right to clear out everything.
- Be careful—you can’t undo this unless you have a backup somewhere. Double-check before emptying, especially if using the shortcut.
On some occasions, a stubborn trash may refuse to empty due to system locks or open files. A quick restart or running `sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash/*
` in Terminal (be very careful here) can force it, but only if you’re comfy with command line stuff.
Summary
- Uninstall unused apps
- Delete old iOS backups
- Remove unnecessary language files
- Clear out downloads folder
- Empty your trash
Wrap-up
Fighting storage space on a Mac Pro or a slim MacBook isn’t exactly fun, but these straightforward methods can help clear out a decent chunk of space without taking apart your system. Sometimes, just cleaning those forgotten folders or old backups can be a game changer. Not sure why Apple doesn’t make this easier on us, but hey — that’s just how it is. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours of frustration for someone. Good luck!