macOS · Storage & Backup
Free Up Space With Storage Recommendations
Optimize Storage is a set of Apple-recommended actions — like storing files in iCloud, auto-emptying the Trash, and removing watched TV shows and movies — that free up local disk space with minimal effort. It's found inside About This Mac's Storage settings.
How to open Optimize Storage
- Open System Settings → General → Storage.
- Wait for the storage breakdown to calculate, then click 'Recommendations' or view the suggestions.
- Turn on 'Store in iCloud', 'Optimize Storage', or 'Empty Trash Automatically' as needed.
- Review 'Documents' for large files you can manually delete or move to external storage.
What you should know
- 'Store in iCloud' moves older files, photos, and messages to iCloud and keeps only recent items stored locally.
- 'Optimize Storage' in the Photos and TV apps removes full-resolution originals or watched content once they're safely in iCloud or already viewed.
- 'Empty Trash Automatically' permanently deletes items that have been in the Trash for more than 30 days.
- 'Reduce Clutter' helps you find and manually review large files and downloads taking up space.
Turning on 'Store in iCloud' requires enough iCloud storage for your files and a stable internet connection to keep everything accessible.
Why it matters
A nearly full startup disk slows macOS down, can prevent updates from installing, and risks running out of space entirely, which can cause crashes or corrupted files. These recommendations reclaim space automatically without you having to manually hunt through folders.
Best practices
- Turn on 'Empty Trash Automatically' so deleted files don't quietly consume space for months.
- Only enable 'Store in iCloud' if you have enough iCloud storage purchased to cover your library.
- Revisit the storage breakdown every few months, since 'Other' and app data can grow silently.
Common problems and fixes
- Storage doesn't free up immediately after turning on a recommendation.
- Optimization runs in the background and can take time, especially for large photo libraries; ensure the Mac stays connected to Wi-Fi and power while it works.
- Files stored in iCloud aren't available without an internet connection.
- Manually download files you'll need offline ahead of time, or turn off 'Optimize Mac Storage' for that specific library if you need everything local.
Tips and tricks
- Hold Option and click the Apple menu, then choose System Information → Storage for a more detailed breakdown than the Storage settings pane shows.
Frequently asked questions
Does 'Store in iCloud' delete my files?
No, it keeps files in iCloud and only removes the local copy from your Mac when space is needed, automatically re-downloading them when you open them again.
What counts as 'Other' in the storage breakdown?
'Other' typically includes app caches, system files, disk images, and files macOS can't categorize into a specific type like Documents or Photos.
Related settings
- Storage ManagementStorage settings show a visual breakdown of exactly what's using space on your Mac's disk, plus built-in recommendations — like storing files in iCloud or automatically emptying the Trash — to free up space without manually hunting for large files yourself.
- iCloud DriveiCloud Drive keeps your files in sync across every device signed into the same Apple ID, and can automatically include your Desktop and Documents folders so they're backed up and accessible from any Mac, iPhone, or iPad. Files sync in the background and are accessible from the Finder sidebar or iCloud.com.
- About This MacAbout This Mac (accessible from the Apple menu) shows your Mac's model, chip or processor, memory, macOS version, and serial number at a glance, plus a detailed system report and storage breakdown for deeper troubleshooting.
More Storage & Backup guides for macOS
- Time Machine BackupTime Machine automatically backs up your entire Mac — apps, accounts, preferences, and files — to an external or network drive, so you can restore individual files or your whole system if something goes wrong.
- External StorageExternal Storage covers how macOS handles USB, Thunderbolt, and network-attached drives connected to your Mac — formatting them, choosing a file system, ejecting safely, and deciding which ones are eligible for Time Machine backups. Disk Utility is the main tool for managing these drives.
- Documents & Desktop iCloud SyncAutomatically upload the contents of your Desktop and Documents folders to iCloud Drive so they stay backed up and accessible from other signed-in devices.
- Migration AssistantMove apps, files, user accounts, and settings from another Mac, a Time Machine backup, or a Windows PC onto your current Mac using the built-in Migration Assistant utility.
- Disk Utility: Partition & Format DrivesUse Disk Utility to create or resize partitions, format internal or external drives to a specific file system, and erase disks before reuse.
- iCloud+ FeaturesEnable and configure premium iCloud+ features such as iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video storage tied to your paid iCloud storage plan.