TL;DR
To add storage to your Mac, follow one of these methods:
- Connect an external hard drive to increase storage cost-effectively.
- Buy more iCloud storage to optimize local storage.
- Use home network storage for additional capacity.
- Use high-capacity SD cards for extra storage if your Mac has an SD card slot.
- Upgrade with Solid State Drive (SSD) to boost performance and capacity.
Ever get that annoying “Storage Almost Full” message on your Mac? I sure did, and it slowed down my Mac and made apps crash. That’s when I realized I needed more storage. So, I figured out some simple ways to add more space to my Mac and thought I’d share them with you. These tips to add storage to your Mac are easy to follow and really work. So, let’s get started!
Before We Begin
Running out of storage space can slow down your Mac’s performance and make storing important files difficult. Download MacKeeper and use its Safe Cleanup and Smart Uninstaller to free up space and optimize storage on Mac.
What to Consider Before Adding Storage to Your Mac
Adding storage is the best way to have enough room for new updates and files. But there are a few things to think about first. Here are some key points to consider before you add more storage to your Mac:
- 💻 Compatibility: First things first, make sure the storage device you choose is a match for your Mac’s hardware and operating system.
- 💾 Type of Storage: You’ve got options like Solid State Drives (SSDs) and Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). Think about what you need – is it speed, massive capacity, or something budget-friendly?
- 💽 Capacity: How much extra space do you really need? This depends on your work – are you a video editor needing tons of space or just looking to store more documents and photos? Plan according to your usage.
- 💰 Cost: Let’s be real, upgrading storage can hit your wallet, especially for larger SSDs. Set a budget and see what fits. Sometimes, a modest increase is all you need.
- 🔧 Installation Process: Some upgrades are DIY-friendly, others… not so much. Ask yourself if you’re up for the challenge or prefer to take it to a professional.
Free Up Space on Your Mac With MacKeeper
Before you add storage to your Mac, freeing up the existing space. Decluttering your Mac and clearing junk files can free up significant storage space. While you can do it manually, I recommend using MacKeeper – it’s safer and quicker.
Here are the steps to free up space on your Mac using MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup:
- Download and install MacKeeper.
- Launch MacKeeper and select Safe Cleanup from the left-hand menu.
- Click Start Scan to scan your Mac for unnecessary files.
- Once the scan is complete, review the files that can be safely removed. Check the boxes next to the files you want to delete, or click the Check All option to select all the unnecessary files.
- Click Clean Junk Files to delete the selected files.
- This will remove your selected files and show a Cleaning Completed message. Click Continue to close the program.
What Else Can MacKeeper Do?
Besides cleaning your system, MacKeeper can also delete duplicates on your Mac, free up your Mac RAM, and uninstall unnecessary apps on Mac. Check out my in-depth MacKeeper review and its features to learn more about it.
How to Add Storage to Your Mac
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Below, I’ve put together some easy ways to add storage to your Mac. Check them out and add extra space to your Mac with minimal fuss.
1. Use External Storage
An external drive is a convenient way to add storage to your Mac. It’s affordable and lets you move files between computers or back up your Mac data. Make sure to choose a high-quality external drive and regularly back up your files to avoid data loss.
If you own a newer MacBook, connecting to an external hard drive may require a USB-C adapter.
To install an external hard drive to add storage to your Mac, follow these steps:
- Verify your Mac’s USB port type via Apple’s official website.
- Choose an external hard drive with compatible specifications. I recommend using one with a minimum of one TB of memory and 120 Mbps read/128 Mbps write speed. This should be enough for average Mac systems.
- Install any necessary software drivers for the external hard drive.
- Connect the external hard drive to your Mac, and use the additional space.
2. Buy More Storage via iCloud
iCloud is a great choice for adding more space to your Mac. It keeps less-used files in the cloud and brings them back when you need them. You can check if this feature is active on your Mac in your Apple ID settings.
If you want to purchase more iCloud storage, follow these steps:
- Click the Apple logo > System Settings > Apple ID.
- Select iCloud in your Apple ID.
- Click the Manage button next to Account Storage.
- Select Change Storage Plan… in the new window.
- Choose the amount of additional storage you think would be good enough for your use, and click Upgrade to iCloud+.
- Enter your Apple ID username and password, and click Sign in.
- Click Buy to complete your purchase.
3. Connect to Network Storage
You can also increase your MacBook’s storage capacity by using existing storage elsewhere in your home. I recommend using a wired network using a Cat 6 cable for the fastest speeds. If you want convenience, use Wi-Fi, but signal quality affects speed.
To add network storage to your MacBook, follow these steps:
- Determine if you have network storage available in your home.
- Connect your MacBook to the same network as the network storage.
- Click Go in the Finder menu and select Connect to Server to locate the network storage on your MacBook.
- Enter the address of the network storage device, which is typically a URL, and click Connect.
- Authenticate with your username and password, and select the volume you want to access.
- Click OK, and the network storage should appear in the Finder.
4. Use SD Cards
Expanding your MacBook’s storage using its SD card slot, available on some models, is a budget-friendly option. SD cards are affordable and easily upgradable to higher capacities, making them a practical solution.
However, on recent MacBooks with an SD slot, the card may protrude, affecting the laptop’s appearance and posing a risk of damage to the port or card, especially when carried in tight spaces.
5. Upgrade Mac Storage With SSD
Upgrading your Mac’s storage with SSD voids its warranty and may not be possible on newer models where the SSD is soldered to the logic board. Always check your model’s upgrade compatibility first.
Upgrading your Mac’s storage with an SSD (Solid State Drive) is an effective way to boost its performance and storage capacity. SSDs are faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives, leading to quicker boot times, faster file transfers, and overall snappier performance.
However, check your Mac’s compatibility with SSD upgrades, as some models might have restrictions or require specific types of SSDs. An SSD is integrated into MacBooks and iMacs (after 2019), while older iMacs and MacBook Pro models use a hard disk drive (HDD) or a fusion drive.
What You Need to Upgrade Mac Storage With SSD
To upgrade your Mac storage with SSD, you can find upgrade kits with all the necessary components and instructions for upgrades. Some of these kits even include video resources to guide you through the process.
In most cases, you will need:
- A new SSD
- A screwdriver set that matches your Mac
- An extra external drive or enclosure for your old drive to clone it
Next, follow these steps:
- Power off your Mac and unplug any external devices.
- Open your Mac and locate the existing hard drive.
- Remove the old hard drive and install the new SSD in its place.
- Close your Mac and power it on.
- Use your backup to restore your data to the new SSD.
Add Storage to Your Mac and Improve Its Performance
Now that you know how to add storage to your Mac, you may want to use the available storage to maximum capacity. Here are a few tips to consider:
- Clean up your Mac regularly by deleting unnecessary files, uninstalling unused apps, and using optimization tools like MacKeeper.
- Find, merge, and delete duplicate photos on Mac to free up space.
- If your Mac is running slowly despite regular cleanups, you may need to upgrade your Mac RAM to improve its performance.
