Do you have an iMac or MacBook with a limited amount of storage? Then your hard drive can quickly fill up. MacOS optimized storage gives you four ways to free up more disk space. iPhone shows how it works.
Optimized Storage on your Mac: this is how it works
Optimized Storage has been a well-known part of macOS for years. When space is needed, files, photos, videos, Apple TV movies and email attachments are stored in iCloud. The files then no longer take up space on your Mac and are available at any time. This means you can always download original files when you need them.
How to activate optimized storage:
- Click ‘About This Mac’ in the Apple menu;
- Go to ‘Storage’ and then choose ‘Management’;
- macOS now calculates how much space is being used;
- Check out the recommendations and choose one of the ways to optimize your Mac’s storage space.
You will see an overview of what is taking up space on your Mac, and which steps you can take to clean it up. The recommendations are divided into four categories. Below we discuss how it works per category.
1. Save to iCloud
The first recommendation is to store files in iCloud. This stores files from the Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud. Photos and videos are stored in iCloud Photos, and messages and attachments are also stored in iCloud.
2. Optimize storage
If you choose this option, you’ll save storage space by automatically deleting Apple TV movies and shows you’ve already watched. Also, recent email attachments are only kept on this Mac when storage space is needed.
3. Empty trash automatically
This will automatically delete files that have been in the Trash for more than 30 days. That way you automatically save space.
4. Clean up documents
Do you have a lot of large files on your Mac? Then this option is suitable for you. ‘Clean up documents’ is looking for files, apps, books and films that take up a lot of storage space. After this you will immediately have the option to remove parts that you no longer need.
More helpful tips for your Mac
Internet banking, creating documents and browsing: you do everything on your Mac. It is therefore important to protect your computer as well as possible. Take a look at our guide full of tips for keeping your Mac secure. Even if you are a Mac user since the beginning, there may be some practical advice.
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