Looking to clear up space and save memory on your laptop?
Desktops and laptops are a crucial tool in the modern age for both students and workers. Studies show that 73% of American adults own a laptop computer or a desktop. If you’re looking for a laptop to handle heavy workloads, the Apple Mac is a great option.
The Mac is popular because of its intuitive design and minimalistic interface. However, you may sometimes encounter problems with storage and memory. A slow laptop could disrupt your work and become a source of a headache.
Want to know what you can do to remedy low storage and MacBook memory?
We got you covered. This article covers seven MacBook tips on clearing up space and memory on your device. Read on to learn more.
Save Storage
If you’re dealing with a slow Mac, the primary culprit could be insufficient storage. You may struggle with your device if you haven’t cleaned it up in a while. Here are some things you can do to clear up MacBook storage.
1: Upload Files to Your iCloud
iCloud is Apple’s cloud storage solution, available to both Apple and non-Apple users. If you have too many important files you don’t want to let go of, consider uploading to iCloud.
iCloud is free, but Apple offers several monthly plans for users who want more storage space. The prices range from $.0.99 GB to $9.99 for 2 TB. However, the free version is often enough for most users.
Enabling iCloud storage and sync on your laptop will allow you to store large files. This includes your photos, important documents, and even your messages. You can access these files at any time from any device as long as you have WiFi.
2: Clear Language and Temporary Files
Your Mac may contain large amounts of temporary files. Undeleted temporary files are often the main cause of insufficient storage space. Your Mac OS X may try to delete these files but may prioritize other files.
Temporary files often consist of your browser’s cache. If you’re looking to free up space on your Mac, check if you have unnecessary temporary files. To clear temporary files, go to your Mac’s Finder.
Select Go and look for Go to Folder on the menu. Use the code ~/Library/Caches to access the cache library. In this library, you’ll find several folders that you can delete immediately.
Your Mac apps may also contain excessive amounts of language files. However, if you only use one or two languages, it would help delete other language files. To delete language files, use third-party apps like CleanMyMac and Monolingual.
3: Use an External Drive
If you don’t want to rely on internet access, consider getting a 4k UHD disc. Though external drives with bigger storage may be pricier, it’s worth the investment. This is a great way to store sensitive files to avoid cyberattacks and security breaches.
Another great feature of external drives is that you can encrypt them with a password. This is a great solution if you want to save space but don’t want to get rid of certain files. If you’re the sentimental type who likes to keep pictures, external drives are for you.
This way, you don’t lose your precious memories, and you can go back to them at any time. This is a great device for students struggling with heavy workloads like projects.
4: Manage Storage
Users of macOS Sierra have access to a tool to clean up MacBook storage. If you think your Mac is slowing down from low storage, try this. Navigate your mouse to the menu and select the Apple icon on the top left.
Find About This Mac and click on the Storage tab. Your device will show you several options to manage storage on your device.
The first option is to store items on iCloud, which we mentioned above. Your device will auto-free and space as needed and upload them to your iCloud account.
Another option is to Optimize Storage. This method will allow your device to delete iTunes movies and shows that you’ve finished. You don’t have to worry about losing these files completely, as you can re-download them at any time.
The Empty Trash Automatically option will delete items from your trash bin after 30 days. Reduce clutters finds big files on your device so you can delete them.
Clear MacBook Memory
Another reason why your Mac could be slow is because of low memory. While deleting old files can help you speed up your laptop, it may not always help. If you think storage is the problem, you need to learn how to clear RAM on Mac.
5: Restart Your Laptop
Many Mac users tend to forget to shut down their laptops instead of only putting them on sleep. If your device is slowing down, restarting is the easiest solution.
When your Mac restarts, it empties disk caches and used up RAM. This gives your device a clean slate to work with. If you can’t remember the last time you shut down your laptop, a quick restart might be your solution.
6: Reduce Login Items
Login Items are the apps on your device that auto-start when you power up your Mac. Some apps may add themselves to this list without you knowing. You don’t have to delete the app; you only need to remove it from the Login items list.
Select System Preferences and go to Users & Groups. Select your profile and turn to the Login Items tab and select problems you don’t need and click the – signs to remove them.
7: Clean Up Your Desktop
Mac’s design makes it treat every icon on your desktop as a smaller, active window. More icons could consume more memory on your device. Try organizing your files into folders or move them to the Finder app.
Save Memory and Space on Your MacBook Today
Now you know how to save memory and space on your device. If your Mac is slowing down, try these tips.
The Mac is a great device for both homework and company projects. Want to know how you can use your laptop to the fullest? Check out our other blog posts and learn more about your device today.