“MacBook Other Storage is Huge”: How To Reduce It?

What is the MacBook “Other” Storage?

How to Check the “Other” Storage on macOS?

How to Reduce Other Storage on Mac?

• Delete the Cache Files
• Remove the DMG Files
• Delete the App Logs and System Files
• Remove Plugins and Extensions

Is it Safe to Delete Other Storage on Mac?

Conclusion

MacBook other storage is huge? Is your device cluttered with chunks of unnecessary files and data? Well, we’re here to help you!

Over time, you may accumulate a lot of apps and files that you no longer use or need. These can take up valuable storage space and slow down your Mac. Also, Storing large media files such as photos, videos, and music can quickly eat up a lot of storage space on a Mac. so, yes, a Mac can become cluttered with data for a variety of reasons.

In this post, we have listed a complete guide explaining why other storage is huge on Mac and how to reduce other storage on Mac.

Let’s dive in!

What is the MacBook “Other” Storage?

The “Other” storage on a MacBook refers to the amount of data that is not classified as any of the specific categories, such as photos, music, or documents. This can include a variety of files and data that are stored on your computer but not easily identifiable.

Some examples of data that might be included in the “Other” category are system files, temporary files, caches, plugins, and app extensions. The exact makeup of the “Other” category can vary depending on how you use your MacBook and what apps you have installed.

It’s important to note that the “Other” category can take up a significant amount of storage space, so it’s a good idea to periodically check and clean it up if necessary.

How to Check the “Other” Storage on macOS?

If you’re a Mac user, you may have noticed that your computer’s storage is divided into various categories, such as photos, music, and documents. However, you may also notice a category called “Other” that can take up a significant amount of storage space.

Here are the steps to check the “Other” storage on your Mac:

• Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “About This Mac” from the drop-down menu.
• Now, tap on the “Storage” tab.
• You will see a breakdown of your Mac’s storage usage, including how much storage is being used by each category, such as “Applications,” “Photos,” “Documents,” and “Other.”

• To get more detailed information about the “Other” category, click on the “Manage” button located to the right of the storage overview.

• In the next window, you will see recommendations for optimizing your Mac’s storage, along with a more detailed breakdown of how your storage is being used.

• Click on the “Review Files” button next to the “Other” category to see a list of files that are taking up space in this category. Review the files listed and decide whether you want to delete any of them to free up space.

It’s important to note that some files in the “Other” category may be necessary for your Mac to function properly, so be cautious about what you delete. If you’re unsure about whether a file is necessary, it’s a good idea to do some research or consult with an expert before deleting it.

Also Read: How To Completely Wipe A MacBook Without Password Before Selling

How to Reduce Other Storage on Mac?

Here are a variety of different ways that you can use to address the “MacBook other storage is huge” issue on your device.

Delete the Cache Files

Press the Command + Shift + G key combination. Type “~/Library/Caches” and press the Return key. Now, select all the cache files that you need to remove and then drag them to the Tash Bin.

After moving files to the Trash Bin, right-click on its icon and select “Empty Trash” to get rid of cache files.

Remove the DMG Files

If other storage is huge on Mac, you can also try deleting the DMG files. DMG files are disk image files commonly used on Macs to distribute software or applications. Once you have installed an application from a DMG file, you can delete the DMG file to free up space on your Mac. Here’s how to remove DMG files on Mac:

• Open a Finder window and navigate to the folder where the DMG file is located and click on the DMG file to select it.

• Drag the DMG file to the Trash icon on your Dock or right-click on the DMG file and select “Move to Trash” from the drop-down menu.
• If prompted, enter your administrator password to confirm that you want to move the DMG file to the Trash.

Once the DMG file is in the Trash, you can either leave it there until you’re ready to empty the Trash, or you can immediately empty the Trash by right-clicking on the Trash icon and selecting “Empty Trash” from the drop-down menu.

Delete the App Logs and System Files

To remove all files associated with an application that is no longer in use, follow the steps below if other storage is huge on Mac:

• Open Finder and press the Command+Shift+G key combination.
• In the window that appears, type in the following folder addresses:
• ~/Library/Application support
• ~/Library/Logs
• ~/Library/Containers
• /Library/Application support
• /Library/Logs
• /Library/Containers
• Once you have located the relevant files and folders, you can delete any files that you no longer need.

Remove Plugins and Extensions 

Removing unnecessary plugins and extensions from your Mac can help to reduce other storage data on Mac. Here’s how to remove plugins and extensions on a Mac:

• Open a Finder window and select “Applications” from the sidebar.
• Find the application that has the plugin or extension you want to remove and right-click on it.
• Select “Show Package Contents” from the drop-down menu.

• Navigate to the “Contents” folder and then the “Plugins” or “Extensions” folder, depending on what you want to remove.
• Select the plugin or extension you want to remove and drag it to the Trash icon on your Dock.

And yes, don’t forget to empty the Trash Bin. Right-click on the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash” from the drop-down menu.

Is it Safe to Delete Other Storage on Mac?

The “Other” storage on a Mac can contain a variety of data and files, some of which may be necessary for your Mac to function properly. Therefore, it’s important to be cautious about deleting anything in this category without fully understanding what it is and whether it’s safe to delete.

However, there may be some files in the “Other” category that are safe to delete, such as duplicate files, old backups, or files from apps that you no longer use. It’s important to review the files carefully and do some research to determine which files are safe to delete and which ones should be kept.

If you’re unsure about whether it’s safe to delete a file in the “Other” category, it’s best to err on the side of caution and leave it alone.

Conclusion

This wraps up our guide addressing the MacBook other storage is huge issue. The “Other” storage category on a Mac can quickly accumulate and take up valuable storage space. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can reduce the amount of data in the “Other” category and free up space on your Mac.

Start by identifying the files and applications that are taking up the most space and removing any unnecessary items. Additionally, regularly performing maintenance tasks such as clearing caches, removing old backups, and updating your operating system can help to prevent the “Other” storage from getting out of control.

By implementing these tips, you can optimize the storage space on your Mac and improve its overall performance.

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