Guides for a full Mac
Each guide starts with what macOS can already do on its own, in System Settings, Finder and Terminal, then shows how MacClearings does the same job. Written and checked by Chris Williams; updated as macOS changes.
Looking for a specific folder? The field guide explains what it is and whether it comes back.
Why is my disk full?
- How to check storage on your MacCheck storage on a Mac or MacBook in System Settings, Finder, Disk Utility or Terminal, and what to do when the Storage pane is stuck on Calculating.
- How to find large files on your MacFind large files on a Mac with Finder's File Size search, the Storage settings lists and Terminal's find command, then check each file before it goes.
- Is it safe to delete ~/Library/Caches on a Mac?What's inside ~/Library/Caches, which caches are safe to move to the Trash, why they come back, and which Library folders to leave alone on macOS 15 and 26.
- Mac storage full for no reason? Why the numbers don't add upWhy Mac storage looks full for no reason, and why Finder, System Settings, Disk Utility and Terminal disagree: purgeable space, snapshots, clones and more.
- Mac storage full? What to do when your disk is almost fullYour Mac says its disk is almost full. What to check first in System Settings, the quickest safe ways to get space back, and why Mac storage keeps filling up.
- Purgeable space on a Mac: what it is and how to clear itPurgeable space is storage macOS can free on its own. What's in it, how to see it, why it doesn't always purge, and how to clear it safely in Terminal.
- System Data on a Mac: what it is and how to clear it safelyWhat System Data on a Mac holds, why it grows, and how to shrink it safely on macOS 15, 26 and 27, with Settings, Finder and Terminal, and what to leave alone.
- Time Machine local snapshots: what they are and how to delete themWhat Time Machine local snapshots are, where they're stored, how much space they use, and how to delete them safely in Time Machine settings or with tmutil.
- What's taking up space on your Mac, and how to see itSee what's taking up space on your Mac or MacBook with Storage settings, folder sizes in Finder and du in Terminal, plus a disk map that explains each folder.
- Why Xcode takes up so much space, and what you can clearWhy Xcode uses so much disk space on a Mac: DerivedData, simulators, runtimes, device support and archives. How to measure each and clear what Xcode rebuilds.
Make room
- The best Mac cleaner for 2026, free and paidThe best Mac cleaners for 2026, free and paid, compared on price, where removed files go and undo. Start with macOS's own tools. Prices checked October 2026.
- How to delete iOS simulators and free CoreSimulator spaceHow to delete unused iOS simulators, CoreSimulator devices, caches and runtimes with simctl and Xcode, and which simulator folders not to touch by hand.
- Docker taking up space on your Mac: how to get it backWhy Docker.raw grows on a Mac, how to see what uses it with docker system df, and how to reclaim space with docker system prune without losing your volumes.
- Homebrew cleanup: free space with brew cleanup and autoremoveWhat brew cleanup actually removes, how to clear the Homebrew cache with --prune=all, remove old versions, and uninstall unused packages with brew autoremove.
- How to clear cache on your Mac, and when it's worth itClear browser and app caches on a Mac safely with Safari, Chrome and Finder, and why caches come straight back, so clearing them rarely frees lasting space.
- How to delete node_modules safely, in one project or all of themIs it safe to delete node_modules? How to delete it in one project or recursively across all of them, find the biggest first, use npkill, and reinstall later.
- How to delete old iPhone backups on your MacFind and delete old iPhone and iPad backups on your Mac with Finder's Manage Backups, see where they're stored, and decide which ones are safe to remove.
- How to delete Xcode DerivedData safelyWhere Xcode's DerivedData folder is, why it's safe to delete, and three ways to clear it: Clean Build Folder, Finder, and Terminal with or without the Trash.
- How to free up space on your MacFree up space on a Mac or MacBook with the tools macOS already has: Storage recommendations, the Trash, Downloads, unused apps and old backups.
- How to uninstall apps on a Mac completelyUninstall Mac apps with Finder, Launchpad or Apps, then find the files they leave in your Library. Steps for macOS 15, 26 and 27, and what's safe to remove.
What changed
Find out what's filling your Mac.
MacClearings explains your disk in plain words and moves only what you review to the Trash, with Undo. Paid once, every update included.
Get it at launch
$12.50 launch price for the first 25 buyers, then $25.
macOS 15+ · Apple silicon and Intel