Deleted Files on Mac but Still No Space: 4 Solutions

Quick navigation:

• 1. When to Delete Files on Mac
• 2. Why Space Isn't Freed Up After Deleting a File on Mac
• 3. Solutions for Deleted File Not Freeing Up Space (4 Effective Methods with Detailed Steps!)
• 4. Remedies: Recover Accidentally/Incorrectly/Permanently Deleted Files

Even though your Mac may have a huge storage space, it's still limited. Thus, deleting Mac files to make room for new ones is a good idea. The problem is that when you delete several files and empty the Trash, you still don't get more available space. It can be very frustrating when people don't know what to do next.

This is a problem that most Mac users encounter at one point or another. Fortunately, there are several ways to resolve this issue. If you're experiencing the same problem, read on for the best solutions.

Your disk space is almost full.

When Should You Delete Files on Your Mac

When you want to replace or update a file, you have to delete the old one. You also need to clean up unnecessary content regularly when running out of disk space. Too many unnecessary files can take up a lot of storage space and even cause your Mac to run slow.

If you continually store new files without deleting old ones, it can become challenging to locate the one you want. However, when important data is stored closely together, finding files becomes more manageable. Nevertheless, removing unnecessary files keeps your system tidy, facilitating effortless access to essential files. This saves time and effort that would otherwise be spent searching through various folders.

Thus, always remember to check your Mac for any unnecessary data and quickly get rid of it if there is any.

Why Does Deleting a File Not Free Up Space on a Mac?

It can be frustrating when you actively delete files from your Mac, only to find that you still don't have enough storage space. Sometimes, when you delete files from your Mac and empty the Trash, it seems like they're gone for good. Not always, though. Deleting files from the Trash doesn't necessarily mean that they're permanently deleted.

Deleted files that Mac won't free up space might be due to any error in macOS, such as MacOS can't repair the disk. Until we actually remove the file from the Mac, the drive space taken by the deleted files cannot be regained. Certain processes might keep a file open, preventing it from being removed from the disk. In this case, the system thinks the file is still in use. Hence, your Mac won't reclaim the storage space occupied by the file.

To free up the disk space taken up by these invisible files, you have to go through a few more steps.

What is "Other" in Mac Storage and How to Free It Up

Disk space is precious, especially when you're using a Mac. MacBook Pro storage ranges from 128GB to 2TB.

Resolving the Issue of Files Being Deleted but Space Not Being Released

Many Mac users have encountered the issue where a file has been deleted, but the disk space isn't freed up. If you're experiencing the same problem, worry not, as there are solutions to help you permanently delete files and free up disk space. These methods are user-friendly and don't require a technical background. Not only will they solve your current issue, but they'll also prevent similar problems from occurring on your Mac in the future. Let's get started:

1. Method 1: Free up space by opening Storage Management
2. Method 2: Restart your Mac in Safe Mode
3. Method 3: Run First Aid from macOS Recovery
4. Method 4: Manually free up space with Startup Disk

Method 1: Open Storage Options to Free Up Space

When you delete files from your Mac but don't see any available storage, start by optimizing your space with the built-in, user-friendly management system. Here's what to do:

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your Mac's screen, then click About This Mac.

Step 2: Now click on Storage. When you click on Storage, it will begin calculating the space and show you the used and available disk space.

Click “Save” to calculate the available data.

Once the scan is over, you will see the classification of different files. You can find the removable files in these categories, which allows you to select and delete large numbers of them.

Click the Manage button to access the storage management menu.

Click the Manage button.

Step 4. To initiate the storage optimization process, you'll be asked to choose from the given options. To free up space by removing unidentified files, you need to select the Optimize Storage option. This can significantly free up space by deleting unnecessary attachments. To automatically tidy up or empty the Trash, you can choose other available options.

Note: You can choose the "Store in iCloud" option to save the file using Apple's cloud storage. If you exceed 5 GB of data, you'll need to pay for additional storage.

Method 2: Restart in Safe Mode

If you've deleted files on your Mac but the storage space isn't freeing up, then it might be a good idea to restart your Mac in Safe Mode. This can take a while, but it performs a thorough diagnostic and repair of any random issues, clearing out cache data and helping you remove files or apps from your Mac. Follow these steps to restart your Mac in Safe Mode:

Step 1: Open the Apple menu and click on "Shut Down." As soon as you click "Shut Down," hold down the Shift key.

Step 2: Hold down the Shift key until you see the Apple logo > release the key and wait a few seconds.

Note: This process might take some time.

<Step 3> When you see the login screen, look in the top-right corner of your Mac for “Safe Boot” in red.

Starting in Safe Mode will fix any errors that occur during startup.

Step 4: Log back into your Mac and check your disk space. You should have more free space than before.

You can also use Safe Mode to clear out other unwanted items on your Mac.

Step 5: Now, reboot your system and boot up normally.

Method 3: Run First Aid from macOS Recovery Mode

If none of the above helps, you should run First Aid in Disk Utility from macOS Recovery to optimize your disk's performance.

With "First Aid," you can quickly diagnose any issues with your Mac's disk, volume, or an external drive. It has several built-in features that detect and fix various random errors. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Restart your Mac and quickly press and hold Command + R to enter macOS Recovery Mode.

Step 2: When you see the Apple logo, release the keys > open macOS Utilities, select Disk Utility, then click Continue.

Click “Disk Utility,” then click “Continue.”

<Step 3> In the sidebar, select Macintosh HD, then choose First Aid.

Step 4: Click on Run to start repairing the storage drive.

We believe that this process will check and fix any errors on the hard drive. Running Disk Utility will also clear up space and improve your system's performance.

Method 4: Free up space manually with Startup Disk Creator

Manually cleaning your disk space is an effective way to free up space and better manage your data. Follow these steps:

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner, then select About This Mac > Storage, and click Manage.

Under Suggestions, you will see different options to manage your disk space.

Free up Storage Space

Step 2: You can choose to Store in iCloud to keep certain files in the cloud.

Note: iCloud comes with 5 GB of free storage.

Step 3: Click on the “Optimize” tab to remove watched iTunes movies and TV shows.

Step 4: Turn on Empty Trash Automatically. This will delete any files in the Trash that are 30 days old or older.

Click on “Turn On” to automatically empty the Trash.

Step 5: Under Reduce Clutter, select Review Files to tidy up your files on the Mac. Check all the items and delete unnecessary files.

Step 6: Choose Applications, then drag any unused apps to the Trash. Manually check through all documents and photos, and move any unnecessary ones to the Trash.

Step 7: Next, check all the options like iOS Files, iTunes, and Email, and then find and delete unwanted files to free up space on your Macintosh HD disk.

Step 8: After you have selected all the files you want to remove, click on the Empty Trash button.

Finally, you'll see a lot more free space on your Mac's drive.

Recoverit: Restore Accidentally/Incorrectly/Permanently Deleted Files

The above methods will help you fix the issue of Mac deleting files but no space gained. However, removing unnecessary data can lead to accidental deletion of important files. Many users come across this situation. You might not be able to replace all your important files before using the best method.

If you lose important files or accidentally delete them, don't worry. You can use an efficient Mac data recovery tool to retrieve your deleted files. Among all software options, Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is highly recommended. Since its inception, the software has continually improved its data recovery algorithms to ensure the reliable and swift retrieval of all deleted files.

This data recovery software comes with a straightforward user interface that every Mac user can easily navigate. With just a few simple steps, all your lost files can be retrieved. Data Recovery Wizard requires a stable internet connection to enhance its capabilities and provide the best recovery results. It is an advanced tool that can restore common file formats such as photos, audio, videos, and document files. Once the process is done, you'll get well-organized and categorized results.

You can use this powerful tool by following these steps:

Step 1: Select the drive to scan

In the main window of the “Data Recovery Wizard,” all the drives connected to your Mac will be listed. Select the drive from which you want to recover lost/deleted files and click on the “Search for Lost Files” button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended to click “Disk Backup” on the left sidebar and create a backup for your Mac to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and then your computer can write new data.

Step 2: Choose the data/files you lost

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan the disk volume you select, and display the scan results in the left pane. If you're looking for certain files, you can sort the results to locate the files you need.

Step 3: Recover Lost/Deleted Data

Once you find the files you want to recover, preview them and then click “Recover” to start restoring your deleted or lost Mac files.