Open System Settings > General > Storage and review the largest categories and recommendations. Back up important files, remove only items you no longer need, and uninstall unused apps. Review the Trash before emptying it to reclaim space.
Review Store in iCloud, Optimize Storage and Empty Trash Automatically, and enable only options that fit your backup and access needs.
3
Inspect large files
Open Documents or the file-review tools, sort by size, preview unfamiliar items, and remove only files you can replace or no longer need.
4
Uninstall unused apps
Remove apps through Finder or their official uninstaller, preserving documents and licenses you still need.
5
Empty Trash after review
Verify backups and recovered space, then empty Trash to make deleted storage available.
6
Check that the change worked
Free space increases by the expected amount and important moved or cloud-stored files still open after restart.
7
Troubleshoot Mac storage cleanup
If categories never finish calculating, purgeable space returns, iCloud optimization is misunderstood, or System Data remains unusually large, stop broad resets and return to the last known state. Capture the exact error, versions, device or account scope, and failed step before using the linked official support channel.
Video walkthrough
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: macOS.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.
