macOS Versions

How to Free Up Space on macOS Sonoma

June 7, 2026·2 min read

Sonoma Storage Changes

macOS Sonoma introduced desktop widgets, new screen savers, and updated system files that consume more storage than previous versions. After upgrading, many users notice their available space dropped by several gigabytes. Understanding how to free up space on mac running Sonoma starts with knowing what changed.

The upgrade process itself leaves behind installer files and old system caches that no longer serve a purpose.

Remove Upgrade Leftovers

Check your Applications folder for old macOS installer files. These can be over 12 GB each. Also look for files named "Install macOS" followed by any version name. Drag them to Trash and empty it immediately to reclaim that space.

Time Machine may have created local snapshots before the upgrade. Open Terminal and type `tmutil listlocalsnapshots /` to check. Remove old snapshots with `tmutil deletelocalsnapshots [date]` to free up space on mac quickly.

Reclaim Mac finds and removes junk files automatically.

Manage Sonoma Screen Savers

Sonoma's aerial screen savers download high-quality video files that can be several hundred megabytes each. Go to **System Settings > Screen Saver** and remove any you don't use. If you have multiple aerial screen savers selected, keeping just one or two saves significant space.

Clean Safari Profiles

Safari in Sonoma supports multiple profiles, each maintaining its own cache, history, and cookies. If you created test profiles or profiles you no longer use, delete them from **Safari > Settings > Profiles**. Each unused profile wastes storage on duplicate data.

Use Sonoma's Built-in Storage Tools

Go to **System Settings > General > Storage** for Sonoma's storage management view. Click the info button next to each category to see specific files and get recommendations. Enable automatic Trash emptying and review the Recommendations section.

These built-in tools are the easiest way to how to free up space on mac without installing anything extra.

Clean your Mac in 60 seconds

Lifetime license. Offline. No subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does macOS Sonoma use more storage than Ventura?

Yes, Sonoma typically uses 2-4 GB more due to new features like widgets, screen savers, and system improvements.

Can I delete the Sonoma installer after upgrading?

Yes. The installer file in Applications is safe to delete after a successful upgrade and can free over 12 GB.

Why is System Data so large after upgrading to Sonoma?

Sonoma rebuilds caches and indexes after an upgrade. This category usually shrinks after a few days, or you can manually clear caches.