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As a Mac user, you may often receive notifications to update your system, but you could hardly do so due to low disk space. This situation frequently occurs, and it makes you realize that your Mac needs a cleanup. Over time, your Mac accumulates unnecessary files, and they take up valuable space on your hard drive. In this article, we will show you how to free up space on your Mac to update your system successfully.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Freeing Up Space on Mac to Update
As the number of installed apps and files that you store on your Mac system increases over time, it can be difficult to find free space that is required to update your Mac’s operating system. One reason that causes this is the usage of temporary files that are the remains from old applications. It’s important to get rid of them to create more space on your hard drive. Another reason is the file duplicates that may cause a nuisance in some situations.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before proceeding with any of the discussed methods, it is advisable to prepare for backing up your files. A sudden power outage or system crash can occur when freeing up space, and it will delete files permanently if they are not backed up. One easy method to backup is to use a cloud storage service like Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive or Google Drive. When you have backed up everything, you can confidently proceed with the space cleaning process.
Method 1: Clean up Junk Files Via Mac Cleaner
Mac Cleaner is a reliable and easy tool to clean up your Mac’s hard drive. It is an all-in-one utility that helps improve the performance and speed of your Mac. Follow these steps to free up space using Mac Cleaner:
- Step 1: Download, install and launch the tool.
- Step 2: Click on the "Start System Junk Scan" button and wait for the scanning process to end.
- Step 3: Check the lists of system junk files on the left sidebar and choose the unwanted files that you want to delete.
- Step 4: Click "Clean" to get the process started.
Pros:
- Easy to use and user-friendly interface.
- An all-in-one utility with multiple purposes: cleaning junk files, backing up data, removing duplicate files, and protecting privacy.
- Increases the speed and performance of your Mac by cleaning up the unneeded files.
Cons:
- The free version of iMyMac cleaner has limited features, and you have to purchase the full version to enjoy the complete functionality.
- The application may not detect all of the junk files on your system, and it may not allow you to remove all of the files that it detects.
Method 2: Find and Delete Duplicate Files Via Gemini 2
Gemini 2 is a powerful tool that finds duplicate files on your Mac and assists you in getting rid of them quickly and easily. Follow these steps to free up space using Gemini 2:
- Step 1: Download, install and launch the tool.
- Step 2: Click the "+" button and select the folder you want to scan for duplicates on the left side of the interface.
- Step 3: Click the "Scan for Duplicates" button and wait for the scanning process to finish.
- Step 4: Check the duplicate files on the result page and select the ones that you want to delete.
- Step 5: Press the "Delete" button, and the app does the rest.
Pros:
- Efficient and effective in finding and erasing duplicate files.
- User-friendly interface with quick scanning and deleting features – it is easy to use and saves time.
- The app scans for similar and identical files that use space on your hard drive.
Cons:
- In the free version, you can scan duplicates, but you can’t delete them. The tool requires an in-app purchase to access all its functions.
- The scanner may not identify some duplicate files if they’re stashed away in different folders.
Method 3: Uninstall Old or Unused Applications via App Cleaner & Uninstaller
Over time, you might accumulate many apps that you don’t use or need anymore, and uninstalling all of them one by one can be time-consuming. App Cleaner & Uninstaller helps clean up your Mac’s hard drive by removing unwanted apps and their service files. Follow these simple steps to free up space by uninstalling old or unused applications using App Cleaner & Uninstaller:
- Step 1: Download, install and launch the App Cleaner & Uninstaller.
- Step 2: From the list of applications, choose the ones that you’d like to delete from your Mac and click on the "Select" checkbox.
- Step 3: To delete related files, click on the "Remove" button, and the application will erase the unwanted files.
Pros:
- Easy to use and efficient for cleaning up unnecessary files and applications from your Mac system.
- The app will also delete related files or folders related to the app, which helps free up more disk space.
- It shows detailed information, such as the size of the app, the installation date, and the last accessed time, to provide more value in terms of managing apps.
Cons:
- In the trial version, you can only uninstall limited numbers of applications. You have to purchase the full version for more features.
- The application might not remove all files related to the app if the files in question were saved elsewhere on your Mac.
Why Can’t I Update My Mac?
You may not be able to update your Mac because of many reasons. Here are some of them and how to fix them:
1. Lack of adequate disk space
A standard amount of disk space is required to run or execute the update. Hence, you need to free up space on your hard drive by deleting old or unnecessary files. You can use the methods shared above to achieve this.
2. Slow internet or server connection
A stable internet connection or server connection is necessary to execute the update or download files whatsoever. You can check the internet speed on your Mac and update the server preferences on your Mac system.
3. Different file location
Sometimes, the downloaded update files saved on the different location may prevent your system from updating. Look for the downloaded files and check if they’re saved on the right path.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips that can help free up space on your Mac:
- Delete all old backups on Time Machine.
- Empty all trash and recycle bins on your Mac.
- Remove unused languages – do you use all the languages that are installed on your Mac? If not, then simply delete them.
- Find and delete large files or media that are no longer required.
- Transfer infrequently used files to external hard drives or cloud storage systems.
5 FAQs about How to Free up Space on Mac to Update
Q1: How long does Mac cleaning take?
A: It depends on the method you are using to clean up your Mac system. If you’re using a Mac cleaner, it may take around 2-3 minutes depending on the number of files to be cleaned up. Other methods may take a little longer, depending on the number of files that need to be deleted.
Q2: Can I use multiple methods to clean up my Mac?
A: Yes, it is perfectly fine to use different methods to clean up and free up space on your Mac. Using multiple methods will help to ensure that all the unwanted files, documents, and applications are deleted from your Mac system, freeing up more space in the process.
Q3: Will uninstalling programs speed up my Mac?
A: Yes, uninstalling unnecessary apps and deleting the files related to them may enhance the overall speed of your Mac. It frees up considerable space on your hard drive, which may make your system run faster.
Q4: Can I restore deleted files after cleaning up my Mac?
A: No, it is not possible to recover files that have already been deleted from your Mac. Ensure that you backup all your important files and applications before attempting to clean up your Mac.
Q5: How often should I clean up my Mac?
A: It is recommended to clean up your Mac system at least twice a year, or once every four months. This will help to get rid of unnecessary files and apps, and free up space on your hard drive.
In Conclusion
Updating your Mac to the latest operating system is essential to keep your system secure and running smoothly. However, not having enough disk space can often prohibit you from doing so. Use the above methods to free up space on your hard drive, and you’ll be able to update your Mac system without any issues. Remember, it’s essential to create a backup before proceeding with any of the cleaning methods.