5 Mac Storage Calculating and Managing Tips

Apple is known for its innovation and modern approach to providing solutions to consumers. The brand’s name is associated with many positive things, so it should not come as a surprise to see so many people remaining loyal to the company for years.

Despite having so many positives, however, you can still find a few drawbacks here and there. For example, among MacBook owners, there is a slight concern that older models are not really up to par when it comes to available storage.

Mac storage calculating is not one of those things many users do. They look at the state of the computer’s drive and consider whether to take action or not.

For the most part, though, the goal is pretty clear. You have to be mindful of the storage state of the device and make the necessary changes.

The purpose of this article is to cover some of the key solutions to ensure that even if you have an older MacBook with relatively low storage, you can still use the device by freeing up enough space on the drive.

Delete Files Permanently

Let’s start with the obvious. You need to get in the habit of deleting files permanently. Do not just drag them in the Trash Bin. Use relevant keyboard shortcuts to ensure that the data is removed for good.

If you end up dragging a file in the Bin, clean it after. Or, at the very least, enable the option so that the Bin permanently deletes its files after 30 days. 

The goal is to free up space on the device, and eliminating redundant junk permanently is the first step.

Manage Temporary Storage

Temporary files are tricky to track because you often cannot view them without tinkering with intricate system settings.

Mac other volumes in container are a good example of this. To take care of these and other temporary files, you should learn about them beforehand. What they mean for the OS, how often they accumulate, and what deleting them means for the MacBook.

Also, as a rule of thumb, you need to use a cleanup utility that takes care of the task for you automatically. Deleting temporary data manually is risky, especially if you are not that well-versed in such things.

Take Care of Media

A fair few people like to keep media files on a computer. Photos, movies, TV shows, and music mean a lot, and it is understandable why one would want to have quick access to such files.

The problem with media is that high-quality content requires a lot of space. You are putting your Mac in a bad place by hoarding media.

Instead, look for alternatives. Streaming services like Spotify, Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu let you listen to music and watch movies or TV shows.

For photos, you can simply create albums on social media sites and store the files there. It is a neat trick that makes a significant difference for the laptop’s drive.

Utilize External Storage

There are two notable external storage options that offer an excellent alternative to cluttering Mac’s drive. The first is external storage accessories, and the second is cloud storage.

#1 – Accessories

A one-time investment in an external HDD or even a USB flash stick provides you with a way to transfer files from the computer to the accessory. You can keep the data there instead of on the laptop’s drive. 

#2 – Clouds

Cloud services offer a few gigabytes of free space. As a MacBook owner, you are likely going to rely on iCloud, which means 5GB for nothing.

If the default space is not enough, there is an option to upgrade the account by paying a monthly fee. You can get as much as two terabytes per month for 10 dollars. 

The two are great as a storage solution, but it is also worth noting that you can rely on external storage accessories and clouds as a means to back up data.

Scan for Malware

If you are doing storage calculations and still find yourself perplexed despite deleting unnecessary files, the device might have viruses.

Even small malware can snowball and extend its influence over the computer’s system enough to make it difficult for you. 

Use antivirus software and scan the computer. A clean scan should give you peace of mind, but if the antivirus detects corrupted data, do not hesitate and eliminate it right away before it spreads even further.