Do you find your Mac’s storage filled up with a mysterious “Other” category? This can be frustrating, especially when you’re running out of space for important files and applications. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to remove the “Other” storage on your Mac and reclaim valuable disk space.
What is “Other” Storage?
When you check your Mac’s storage usage, you may notice a sizable portion labeled as “Other”. This category includes various file types that macOS doesn’t classify into specific categories like documents, photos, or applications. These files can range from system files, cache data, app extensions, plugins, and more.
Determining the Size of “Other” Storage
If you want to know how much space the “Other” category is occupying on your Mac:
- Step 1: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Step 2: Select “About This Mac”.
- Step 3: In the new window that opens, click on the “Storage” tab.
- Step 4: You’ll see a visual representation of your storage usage. Hover over the “Other” section to see its size.
Cleaning Up “Other” Storage
To free up space occupied by the “Other” category, follow these steps:
1. Clear System Junk Files
Your Mac accumulates temporary system files over time.
To remove them:
- Step 1: Open Finder and click on the “Go” menu in the menu bar.
- Step 2: Select “Go to Folder”.
- Step 3: Type “~/Library” and press Enter.
- Step 4: Locate and open the “Caches” folder.
- Step 5: Select all the files inside the “Caches” folder and move them to Trash. Note that you may need to enter your administrator password.
2. Remove App Extensions and Plugins
Some applications install extensions or plugins that contribute to the “Other” storage.
To uninstall them:
- Step 1: Open Finder and click on the “Go” menu in the menu bar.
- Step 3: Type “~/Library/Application Support” and press Enter.
- Step 4: Look for folders related to specific apps, such as “Adobe”, “Microsoft”, etc. Open these folders.
- Step 5: Search for files with extensions like “.plugin” or “.extension”. Move these files to Trash.
3. Clear Browser Cache
Your web browser stores data like images, scripts, and cookies in its cache, which can contribute to the “Other” storage. To clear it:
- Safari:In Safari’s menu, select “Preferences”, go to the “Privacy” tab, and click on “Manage Website Data”. Remove the cache for specific websites or click “Remove All” to clear everything.
- Google Chrome:Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, select “More Tools”, then “Clear Browsing Data”.
Choose a time range and select “Cached images and files”. Click on “Clear Data”.
- Mozilla Firefox:In Firefox’s menu, select “Preferences”, go to the “Privacy & Security” tab, and under the “Cookies and Site Data” section, click on “Clear Data”. Check the box next to “Cached Web Content” and click “Clear”.
4. Use Third-Party Cleanup Tools
If you prefer an automated approach, there are various third-party cleanup tools available for macOS.
These tools can scan your system for unnecessary files, including those contributing to the “Other” category, and safely remove them. Some popular options include CleanMyMac X, DaisyDisk, and Onyx.
In Conclusion
By following these steps, you should be able to effectively reduce the size of the “Other” storage category on your Mac. Remember to regularly clean up your system to maintain optimal performance and free up valuable disk space. Enjoy a clutter-free Mac experience!