How to Clear Disk Space on MacBook Air

If you're using a MacBook Air, you might be wondering how to clear disk space and free up some room on your hard drive. With the modern macOS versions, such as macOS Monterey and Ventura, being increasingly browser-oriented, it's essential to manage your disk space effectively.

The maximum hard drive size currently available is 8 TB, but you'll only find this in Mac Pro or top MacBook Pro models. If you're experiencing issues with a full startup disk, there are ways to fix the problem.

To start, let's look at how Apple Mail handles email folders. By default, it downloads the entire 'All Mail' folder from Gmail, which can quickly consume your hard drive space. In my case, I had over 17,000 emails in this folder, taking up a significant amount of storage. To disable this feature and free up some space, go to Settings > Labels and change 'All Mail' to 'Hide.'

Another way to clear disk space is by deleting unnecessary files and applications. On my MacBook Air, I discovered that the old iPhoto app was taking up 1.7GB of storage. By dragging it to the trash and saving 6.6GB of space, I was able to free up some room.

To find these hidden files, right-click on the box and select 'Reveal in Finder.' You can also use Disk Inventory X to see where your excess space is taken. A good rule of thumb is to keep at least 20% of your hard drive free for optimal performance.

By following these tips, you should be able to clear disk space on your MacBook Air and ensure that your hard drive stays healthy and running smoothly.

How to clear disc space on macbook air