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How to Check Storage Space on Your Mac: 6 Best Ways

Clear up space and speed up your Mac!

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Last updated: September 15, 2024

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TL;DR

To check storage space on your Mac:

  1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner.
  2. Select About This Mac.
  3. Click More Info.
  4. Scroll down to the Storage section to view total and available storage.

Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.

Running out of storage is a common problem for many Mac users, especially if your device is a bit older. In this post, I’ll share the simple steps I use to check storage and free up space to keep my Mac running smoothly. Let’s dive in!

How to Check Storage Space on Your Mac

Why You Can Trust MacBook Journal verify badge We always conduct first-hand research and verify every method or solution we present, ensuring you receive reliable and effective advice. Learn more about our process.

Let’s explore the different methods you can use to check storage space on your Mac.

1. Via About This Mac

Here’s how to check storage space on your Mac from the About This Mac menu:

  1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Select About This Mac from the dropdown menu.
click apple icon and select about this mac
  1. Click the More Info button on the new window.
click more info
  1. Scroll down the About window and at the end of the page, you’ll see Storage section.
  2. Your hard drive will (usually named Macintosh HD) will be listed in this section with total and available storage on your Mac.
macintosh hd listed in this section with total and available storage on mac
  1. If you want to get a detailed breakdown, click the Storage Settings… button.
click the storage settings button
  1. Navigate to the Storage section on the new window.
mac storage consumption

Here, you’ll see a graphical representation of your storage use, breaking it down into various categories like Apps, Bin, Other Users, macOS, and System Data.

2. From System Settings

Follow these steps to check storage space on your Mac via System Settings:

  1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Choose System Settings from the dropdown menu.
click the apple icon and select system settings
  1. Click General and select Storage.
click general and select storage
  1. Here, you’ll see a graphical representation of your storage use.
mac storage consumption
  1. Click the All Volumes button next to your hard drive.
click the all volumes button next to your hard drive
  1. It will give you a detailed breakdown of various categories like Apps, Bin, Other Users, macOS, and System Data. You’ll also see the space occupied by Other Volumes on your MacBook.
breakdown of various categories like apps bin other users macos and system data

3. Via Storage Status Bar

Here’s how to enable the Storage Status bar and use it:

  1. Open any Finder window.
  2. Navigate to the View menu in the menu bar.
  3. Choose Show Status Bar.
click view and select show status bar
  1. The bottom of your Finder window will now display a status bar, which includes the available storage on the device you’re currently viewing—usually your Mac’s primary drive.
status bar at the bottom of a finder window

4. From the System Information

Here’s how to access System Information to check storage space on your Mac:

  1. Launch Finder on your Mac.
click finder in your dock
  1. Click Applications in the left sidebar and open the Utilities folder.
open utilities in applications
  1. Double-click the System Information app.
double click the system information app
  1. In the System Information window, look for the Storage option in the sidebar under the Hardware section.
  2. Click on it to reveal in-depth details about your storage devices. You’ll see the available capacity and how much space each partition is using, among other details.
Click on it to reveal in depth details about your storage devices

5. Using Disk Utility

Here’s the step-by-step guide to use Disk Utility to check storage space on your Mac:

  1. Launch Finder on your Mac.
click finder in your dock
  1. Click Applications in the left sidebar and open the Utilities folder.
open utilities in applications
  1. Double-click the Disk Utility app to open it.
launch disk utility from utilities
  1. In the Disk Utility window, you’ll see a list of drives and their associated partitions on the left sidebar.
  2. Select your primary drive, usually named Macintosh HD. The main panel will display various details about the selected drive, including its total capacity, available, and used space.
hard drive capacity available and used storage in disk utility

6. Running a Terminal Command

Follow these steps to use Terminal to check storage space on your Mac:

  1. Open Terminal by typing Terminal in Spotlight search (Command ⌘ + Spacebar).
type terminal in spotlight search
  1. Once the Terminal window is open, type the following command and press Enter:
df -h
type df h in terminal
  1. The command will display a detailed list of mounted volumes along with their storage details, such as total size, used space, and available space. The columns are generally self-explanatory, but what you’ll most likely focus on is the line that refers to your main disk, usually identified as /dev/disk1s1 or similar.
list of mounted volumes and their storage details in terminal

This method is ideal for power users, system administrators, or anyone comfortable with command-line operations. It’s a quick and potent way to keep tabs on your storage without additional software.

How to Manage Storage in macOS

Knowing how much storage space you have left on your Mac is only half the battle. The real trick is efficiently managing that space to ensure optimal system performance and ease of use. Below, I’ve shared effective tips to manage your storage space on Mac:

  1. 🛠️ Optimize Storage Feature: Use macOS’s Optimize Storage tool to store files in iCloud and automatically clear the Trash. This helps manage space and keep your Mac running efficiently.
  2. 🗑️ Uninstall Unnecessary Applications: Remove unused apps via Finder or MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller. This frees up storage and ensures leftover files are also deleted for a complete cleanup.
  3. 🧹 Clear Cache and Temporary Files: Clear cache and temporary files manually via Finder to automate the process and prevent wasted space.
  4. 💾 Move Files to External Storage: Transfer large or rarely accessed files to an external drive. This helps free up internal storage and ensures smoother system performance.
  5. 🗑️ Empty the Trash: Regularly empty the Trash to permanently remove deleted files and reclaim valuable storage space.
  6. 🚀 Manage Startup Items: Remove unnecessary startup apps via System Settings. This speeds up your Mac’s startup and improves performance.

Check Mac’s Used and Available Space

Now that you know how to check and manage storage space on your Mac, you may want to learn more about making the most of your system resources. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is taking up so much space on my Mac?

Various files and applications can take up space on your Mac. Common culprits include system files, apps, documents, media files like photos and videos, and temporary files such as cache and logs. You can check what’s taking up space by going to About This Mac and then the Storage tab.

How much space should the system take up on Mac?

The system storage on a Mac can vary depending on the macOS version and installed updates, but it generally occupies around 8-15GB. If you notice system storage taking up significantly more space, it might include temporary files, caches, or system backups that could be safely cleaned to free up space.

What should I delete from my Mac?

To free up space on your Mac, consider deleting unused apps, old documents, duplicate files, and temporary files like cache and logs. Emptying the Bin can also reclaim storage. Always be cautious when removing system files; consult expert advice or use trusted software to assist with the cleanup.

How much free space should I have on my Mac hard drive?

It’s generally recommended to keep at least 10-15% of your Mac’s hard drive free for optimal performance. Lack of free space can slow down system processes and hinder software updates. You can check your available storage by going to About This Mac > More Info > Storage tab.

What do I do when my Mac storage is full?

When your Mac storage is full, start by emptying the Bin and deleting unnecessary files like old documents and unused apps. You can also clear cache and temporary files. Consider using built-in macOS tools to optimize space, or move files to external drives or cloud storage.

Ojash

Author

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewer

I'm Hashir, a tech journalist with a decade of experience. My work has been featured in some of the top tech publications like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. I have a bachelor's degree in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and extensive knowledge of Apple hardware, specifically MacBooks. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write in depth guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac and unbiased reviews that help you make the right buying decisions.

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