Any heavy file user will experience storage issues in their external hard disk. That is why you need to know how to free up space on external hard drive Mac, to save some space. Also, you may not want to store data in the internal hard disc, especially because it might slow down your Mac. With the external hard disc, you are sure you can use it on any device, even if you don’t carry the machine.
This article gives you three reliable approaches to explore to provide you with some space on the external device. The choice of method all depends on you. In parts 1 and 2, we show you the manual way to do it, while in parts 3, we give you the automated way, which is by using the software. Here are the details.
Part #1: How to Free Up Space on External Hard Drive Mac Using FinderPart #2: How to Free Up Space on External Hard Drive Mac Using the Transfer OptionPart #3: How to Free Up Space on External Hard Drive Mac Using Mac CleanerConclusion
Part #1: How to Free Up Space on External Hard Drive Mac Using Finder
This inbuilt functionality comes in handy to search and locate the files on the external hard disk. It is the manual way that gives you how to free up space on external hard drive Mac. The disadvantage of this option is that you need to understand the type of files lest you delete the system files that may cause system error on your device.
Here is the simple procedure to use it to free some space on the external hard disc drive:
- Click the external storage device.
- Open the Finder menu and locate some files that you think are unnecessary or junk.
- Alternatively, you can opt to use the command prompt by typing Command +F.
- Scroll down to get the list of the files based on the type.
- Highlight the files and right-click to access yet another menu; click “Delete” among the menu options.
- Go to the Trash Folder on the external hard disk, open the files, and still right-click and Click “Empty the Trash Folder”.
That is a simple but cumbersome and time-consuming approach to free up space on external hard drive Mac. Are there simpler versions? Read on.
Part #2: How to Free Up Space on External Hard Drive Mac Using the Transfer Option
Sometimes, the external hard disc is not complete because it has junk files or duplicate files, or unnecessary files. You may have an external hard disc with small storage space. You may also have a huge one, but being you are a heavy user, you have exhausted the capacity. There is also an option to transfer the files to another storage location and how to free up space on external hard drive Mac.
Here are some of the choices you can explore:
- Transfer the files to the internal hard disk.
- Transfer the files to a cloud storage toolkit like Dropbox, or Google Drive, among other cloud storage applications.
- Transfer the files to another empty external hard disc.
Whatever the option, you only need to follow this simple procedure.
- Click on the external hard disc and select the files you need to transfer from the external device to activate another menu.
- Right-click after selection and get a menu that gives you the option to transfer and choose the appropriate storage location where you want to transfer the files.
It is pretty simple. Is that not a good and reliable way to free up space on an external hard drive Mac?
Part #3: How to Free Up Space on External Hard Drive Mac Using Mac Cleaner
TechyCub Mac Cleaner is your go-to application for all the cleaning and uninstallation functions. The application runs on a simple interface that is ideal for all users.
Mac Cleaner
Scan your Mac quickly and clean junk files easily.
Check the primary status of your Mac including the disk usage, CPU status, memory usage, etc.
Speed up your Mac with simple clicks.
Free Download
Moreover, it comes with an App Uninstaller such that when you have issues with applications that aren’t from App Store, you can still uninstall them with minimal effort. The application has no limit on Mac devices and, by extension, the Mac versions.
Moreover, it has a Junk Cleaner to ensure you do not harbor unnecessary or duplicate files on the hard disk space. The automated cleaning function on the interface comes in handy to safeguard your delicate system files. Here are some of the additional features of the toolkit:
- Supports selective cleaning of files and applications.
- It gives you up to 500MB free of data cleaning storage limit.
- Runs in a fast scanning and high performance to save you time, unlike in the manual approach.
- Comes with a preview of files and an application for selective data-cleaning functions.
With all the excellent features, let’s see how to free up space on external hard drive Mac using the best free computer cleaning application.
Step #1: Download, install and run Mac Cleaner on your Mac device until you see the application status notification.
Step #2: Select the external hard disc drive and click “Junk Cleaner” to start the cleaning functions.
Step #3: Click the “Scan” icon to begin the scanning process.
Step #4: Wait for a list of duplicate and unnecessary files and the application to appear on the screen.
Step #5: Choose the files that you need out of the external hard disc space.
Step #6: Click “Clean” and wait for the process to complete depending on the number of files until you get the finishing prompt that reads “Cleanup completed”.
It is simple and fast, unlike the manual way in which there is also a possibility that you may forget some of the files.
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Conclusion
Are you still in doubt that there are approaches you can explore on how to free up space on external hard drive Mac? The choice of method depends on what is workable for you and your level of technological experience. Despite all, using the software is the best and most recommended way since its fast and safeguards the system files. Among the hundreds of options in the market, Mac Cleaner still serves as the best and most reliable option the cleaning and uninstallation functions.
