Complete Guide to macOS Storage Cleanup: Fix Low Disk Space Issues in 2025

Introduction

Running low on macOS storage space is one of the most common issues Mac users face, especially those with limited SSD capacity. Whether you’re seeing the dreaded “Your disk is almost full” warning or simply want to optimize your Mac’s performance, effective storage management is essential for maintaining a smooth macOS experience.

This comprehensive guide covers the latest storage cleanup techniques for macOS Sequoia, Sonoma, and Ventura, including both manual methods and automated solutions. You’ll learn how to find and remove large files, clear system caches using Terminal commands, and discover the best open-source disk space analyzer tools available in 2025.

Understanding macOS Storage Categories

Before diving into cleanup methods, it’s important to understand how macOS categorizes your storage. Navigate to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage (or About This Mac > Storage on older versions) to see:

• Applications: Installed apps and their extensions
• Documents: User files, downloads, and documents
• System Data: Cache files, logs, and system components
• macOS: Operating system files (typically 12-15GB)
• Photos, Music, Movies: Media libraries

The System Data category often consumes the most unnecessary space, sometimes reaching 100GB or more on heavily-used systems.

Finding and Removing Large Files

Using Built-in Storage Manager

macOS includes a native storage management tool that’s perfect for identifying space-consuming files:

1. Open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage
2. Click Recommendations to see Apple’s suggestions
3. Review each category (Documents, Photos, Trash, etc.)
4. Click any file to see its location and delete if unnecessary

Using Finder Search Filters

For more granular control, use Finder’s advanced search capabilities:

1. Open Finder and press Command + F
2. Click the + button below the search bar
3. Select Other… from the dropdown menu
4. Choose File Size from the attributes list
5. Set criteria like “greater than 1GB” to find large files

This method helps locate individual large files but doesn’t show folder sizes effectively.

Terminal Commands for Large File Discovery

Power users can leverage Terminal commands for comprehensive file analysis:

# Find files larger than 1GB in your home directory
find ~ -type f -size +1G -ls

# Find the 20 largest files in your home directory
find ~ -type f -exec ls -la {} \; | sort -k5 -rn | head -20

# Show directory sizes sorted by size
du -sh ~/* | sort -hr

# Find large files in the entire system (requires admin rights)
sudo find / -type f -size +1G -ls 2>/dev/null

System Cache Cleanup Methods

Manual Cache Cleanup

macOS stores various cache files that can be safely removed to free up space:

User Cache Cleanup

1. Open Finder and press Shift + Command + G
2. Type ~/Library/Caches and press Enter
3. Review folders and delete contents (not the folders themselves)
4. Empty Trash to complete the cleanup

System Cache Cleanup

Warning: Be extremely careful with system caches. Only delete specific cache folders you recognize.

1. Navigate to /Library/Caches using Finder
2. Look for folders like com.apple.Safari or browser-specific caches
3. Delete contents of safe, recognizable cache folders

Terminal Commands for Cache Cleanup

Use these Terminal commands for efficient cache management:

# Clear DNS cache
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

# Clear system font cache
sudo atsutil databases -remove

# Clear user cache (replace [username] with your username)
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/*

# Clear browser caches
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/*
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.google.Chrome/*
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/org.mozilla.firefox/*

# Clear temporary files
sudo rm -rf /tmp/*
rm -rf ~/Library/Logs/*

Time Machine Local Snapshots Cleanup

macOS stores local Time Machine snapshots that can consume significant space:

# List local snapshots
tmutil listlocalsnapshots /

# Delete specific snapshot (replace date with actual snapshot name)
tmutil deletelocalsnapshots 2024-12-26-095939

# Delete all local snapshots (use with caution)
for d in $(tmutil listlocalsnapshots / | grep -v "Snapshots" | grep -v "com.apple"); do sudo tmutil deletelocalsnapshots $d; done

Best Open Source Disk Space Analyzer Tools

1. Disk Inventory X (Free)

Features:

• Treemap visualization of disk usage
• Cross-platform compatibility
• Real-time scanning capabilities
• Multiple view modes

Installation: Available as free download from the developer’s website

2. GrandPerspective (Open Source)

Features:

• Visual representation of disk usage
• Customizable color schemes
• File filtering options
• Completely free and open source

Installation: Download from SourceForge or compile from GitHub source

3. OmniDiskSweeper (Free)

Features:

• Hierarchical disk usage display
• Integration with Finder
• Quick file deletion
• Developed by OmniGroup

Installation: Free download from Mac App Store

4. NCurses Disk Usage (ncdu) – Command Line

For Terminal enthusiasts, ncdu provides excellent disk analysis capabilities:

# Install via Homebrew
brew install ncdu

# Analyze home directory
ncdu ~

# Analyze entire system (requires admin rights)
sudo ncdu /

Advanced Storage Optimization Techniques

Optimize macOS Storage Settings

Enable built-in optimization features:

1. Go to System Settings > General > Storage
2. Click Recommendations
3. Enable these options:
   • Store in iCloud: Moves older files to iCloud
   • Optimize Storage: Auto-removes watched TV shows/movies
   • Empty Trash Automatically: Deletes files after 30 days
   • Reduce Clutter: Finds large and old files

Application-Specific Cleanup

Xcode Developer Tools

# Clear Xcode derived data
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/*

# Remove old iOS simulators
xcrun simctl delete unavailable

Docker Cleanup

# Remove unused Docker images and containers
docker system prune -a

# Remove all Docker volumes
docker volume prune

Node.js Dependencies

# Find and remove node_modules directories
find ~ -name "node_modules" -type d -prune -print | xargs du -sh

# Remove specific node_modules (be careful!)
find ~ -name "node_modules" -type d -prune -exec rm -rf '{}' +

Automated Cleanup Solutions

Third-Party Cleanup Applications

While this guide focuses on manual methods and open-source tools, several reputable automated cleanup applications can simplify the process:

• CleanMyMac: Comprehensive cleaning with smart algorithms
• DaisyDisk: Visual disk analyzer with cleanup features
• AppCleaner: Complete application removal tool

Creating Automated Cleanup Scripts

Create a custom cleanup script for regular maintenance:

#!/bin/bash
# macOS Cleanup Script

echo "Starting macOS cleanup..."

# Clear user caches
echo "Clearing user caches..."
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/*

# Clear system logs
echo "Clearing system logs..."
sudo rm -rf /var/log/*

# Clear DNS cache
echo "Clearing DNS cache..."
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

# Empty Trash
echo "Emptying Trash..."
rm -rf ~/.Trash/*

echo "Cleanup completed!"

Save this as cleanup.sh, make it executable with chmod +x cleanup.sh, and run periodically.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

System Data Still Large After Cleanup

If System Data remains large after cleanup:

1. Restart your Mac to allow system maintenance
2. Wait 24-48 hours for macOS to reindex storage
3. Check for iOS device backups in Finder
4. Review Time Machine local snapshots

Storage Not Reflecting Changes

Sometimes macOS doesn’t immediately reflect storage changes:

# Force storage recalculation
sudo mdutil -i on /
sudo mdutil -E /

Permission Issues During Cleanup

If you encounter permission errors:

1. Use sudo for system-level operations
2. Check file ownership with ls -la
3. Reset permissions if necessary: sudo chown -R $(whoami) ~/Library/Caches

Best Practices for Storage Management

Regular Maintenance Schedule

• Weekly: Empty Trash and Downloads folder
• Monthly: Clear browser caches and temporary files
• Quarterly: Review and remove unused applications
• Annually: Comprehensive system cleanup and optimization

Prevention Strategies

1. Use Cloud Storage: Store files in iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox
2. External Storage: Move large media files to external drives
3. Regular Monitoring: Check storage usage monthly
4. App Management: Uninstall unused applications immediately

Conclusion

Effective macOS storage management requires a combination of manual techniques, Terminal commands, and the right tools. By implementing the methods outlined in this guide, you can reclaim significant disk space and maintain optimal system performance.

Remember that the key to long-term storage health is consistent maintenance rather than sporadic cleanup sessions. Start with the built-in macOS tools, experiment with open-source disk analyzers, and develop a regular maintenance routine that works for your workflow.

For users comfortable with Terminal commands, the command-line approaches offer the most control and efficiency. However, visual tools like Disk Inventory X and GrandPerspective provide excellent alternatives for those who prefer graphical interfaces.

Keep your Mac running smoothly by implementing these storage optimization techniques and monitoring your disk usage regularly. A clean, well-maintained storage system not only provides more space but also contributes to better overall system performance and reliability.