Your MacBook is running slow due to full memory
Your MacBook is running slow. The memory is full. That spinning ball again. You know how it is: documents that won't open, apps that crash, and that annoying message that your drive is almost full. You've tried everything—deleting old photos, clearing out downloads, even those podcast episodes you never listen to anyway.
But here's what no one tells you: those standard tips you read everywhere only work halfway. The real problem lies deeper. Your system accumulates years of invisible junk that you can't remove with a simple cleanup. Cache files, old updates, forgotten backups—they pile up like dust under your bed. And while you think you need more storage, it turns out that 80% of your disk space is wasted on digital garbage.
Fortunately, there's a method that does work. Five concrete steps that will get your MacBook running again in under an hour. No technical knowledge, no hassle.
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The five essential steps for more space
Step 1: Start with the hidden system files
The biggest space hogs on your MacBook are often invisible. Cache files, old iOS backups, and system logs take up gigabytes without you even realizing it. First, open the Library folder by navigating to "Go" > "Go to Folder" in the Finder and typing ~/Library/Caches. Here you'll find temporary files that can be safely deleted.
Be sure to check the "Application Support" folder where programs store their data. Older versions of apps often leave gigabytes of junk behind. Pay particular attention to folders for software you haven't used in a long time. These can be deleted manually without any problems.
Step 2: Clean up your downloads and documents thoroughly
Your Downloads folder is probably a dumping ground for installation files, PDFs, and other downloads you've long forgotten. Sort this folder by size by right-clicking and selecting "Show View Options." Set the sorting by file size.
Duplicates are another major problem. The same photos, documents, and presentations are often saved multiple times. Use the smart folders in Finder to detect duplicates. Create a new smart folder and specify that files have the same name. This can often save a surprising amount of space.
Step 3: Optimize your photo library and video files
Photos and videos are the biggest culprits when it comes to storage space. The Photos app has a built-in option to optimize your library. Go to Photos > Preferences > iCloud and select Optimize Mac Storage. This keeps only smaller versions locally, while the originals are stored in iCloud.
A different approach applies to videos. Old project files from iMovie or Final Cut Pro can be tens of gigabytes in size. Export finished projects to an external drive and delete the working files. Screen recordings you've made for presentations also take up unnecessary space.
Step 4: Use macOS storage management wisely
Apple has built in powerful tools to help you free up space. Go to Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage > Manage. You'll immediately see where your space is being used. The "Store in iCloud" option automatically moves old files to the cloud.
The "Reduce Clutter" feature shows large files and old downloads that you might want to delete. Old email attachments are also visible here. These often take up more space than you think, especially if you've saved years of emails.
Step 5: Remove old iOS backups and app installers
iTunes or the Finder creates backups of your iPhone or iPad on your Mac. These can be 10 to 50 GB each. Go to System Preferences > General > Storage and click iOS Files. Delete old backups of devices you no longer have.
App installers often remain after installation. These .dmg and .pkg files are no longer needed once the software is installed. Search for these file types in Finder and delete them. This can easily add up to several gigabytes.
Preventive maintenance for the future
After completing these steps, it's important to keep your system clean. Set a monthly reminder to clean up your downloads. Use automatic trash emptying by going to Finder > Preferences > Advanced and enabling it.
Also consider using external storage for large projects. An external SSD is affordable these days and offers fast access to files you don't need daily. For photographers and video editors, this is even essential.
When is it time for an upgrade?
Sometimes, cleaning up isn't enough. If you're constantly hitting storage limits despite regular maintenance, it's time for a model with more capacity. A refurbished MacBook with more storage might be the solution. These devices have been thoroughly inspected and offer the same performance as new models, but at a lower price.
When purchasing a laptop, consider the difference between memory (RAM) and storage (SSD). RAM is important for speed, but you need SSD storage for file storage. A combination of at least 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD is sufficient for most users, but creative professionals often need more.
Think about the future, too. Software is getting bigger and files take up more space. So, it's best to choose a little more storage than you think you need now. This will prevent you from running into the same problems again in a year.
Get your MacBook running smoothly again without extra costs
A slow MacBook with full memory is frustrating, but with these five steps, you can free up a significant amount of space in under an hour. The secret lies in the invisible clutter : cache files, old backups, and forgotten downloads that linger for years. By regularly cleaning up and making smart use of macOS's built-in tools, you can prevent the problem from recurring.
Is tidying up just not working anymore? Then it might be time to consider a MacBook with more storage . But in most cases, this approach will get your MacBook running smoothly again without spending a cent.
