Temp files,
preferences,
and caches
1 Total your temp files
Some apps, such as video
editors, amass huge temporary files
while working that you can safely
delete later to save lots of space.
Look up advice for each app online.2 Kill caches
Caches are data stored
temporarily by macOS and apps for
speed. In the Finder, hold Opt while
clicking the Go menu and pick Library.
Open the Caches folder and browse
for space hogs. You can delete caches
like any other file, but you’ll be asked
for an admin password. It’s usually
safe to do so, but rarely necessary.3 Prefs go poof
Also in Library, the
Preferences folder contains settings
for each app. Deleting these is worth
trying if an app misbehaves, but
won’t save any significant space.4
Automatic offload
Everything in your iCloud Drive —
(accessed on your Mac from the sidebar
of any Finder window) is also stored on
your Mac. But when your Mac’s drive fills
up, macOS will delete these copies,
leaving only links to your files on Apple’s
servers. Attempting to open a file will
download it back to your Mac. By adding
your Documents folder to iCloud Drive,
you make it behave the same way. If
most of your work is stored there, this
can keep your Mac going when you’d
otherwise completely run out of space.
5
Pros and cons
There are two catches to this.
One is that you’ll need enough space
in your iCloud storage allocation for
everything in your Documents folder
(and on your Desktop, if you’re messy
enough to keep work there). The other is
that if your Mac has filled up and macOS
has offloaded copies of iCloud Drive files,
but you can’t get online at a given time,
you won’t be able to access your work.
It’s probably best to think of this as a
way to tide yourself over until you make
some room rather than an ideal solution.6
Optimize Mac
Storage
If you want to use iCloud Drive but
always keep copies stored on your Mac
regardless of space, uncheck Optimize
Mac Storage in System Preferences.the files. Some apps, including games, may
incorporate save data that’s lost if you
delete the app.
3
Maul malware
Malware is uncommon on Macs. It
shouldn’t be possible for any software to
run unless you agree to install it, entering
your password to do so. So the only likely
way to get “infected” is if you’re tricked
into downloading and installing an app that
pretends to be something else, such as an
updater for Adobe Flash. Even then, macOS
will warn you if it contains known malware.
Most unusual behavior in macOS, such
as slowdowns, has more innocent causes.
But if you think you may have installed
malware, the most important thing not to
do is go online, do a search and install any
tools you see recommended to remove it.
These may themselves be malware!
Instead, go directly to a reputable security
software company, such as Bitdefender.
Its free Virus Scanner for Mac (see
bitdefender.com/toolbox or the Mac App
Store) will scan for known malware.Up–to–date antivirus scanner software can
reassure you about malware.Image rights from top-left to bottom-right: Apple, Bitdefender, Apple.
Detox your Mac
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