How to Find and Clear Large Files on Mac?

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If your Mac is running low on storage or performing sluggishly, it might be time to identify and remove large files that are hogging your disk space. Whether it's high-resolution videos, old disk images, or forgotten app caches, these large files can quietly pile up and eat into your available storage.

Thankfully, macOS offers several built-in methods to track down these space-hogging files. You can also leverage powerful third-party apps for a more detailed analysis. This comprehensive guide walks you through the best ways to find large files on Mac using Finder, Terminal, and more - so you can reclaim your precious disk space without breaking a sweat.

Why Finding Large Files on Mac Matters?

Over time, Macs - especially those with smaller SSDs - can quickly accumulate unnecessary data. High-resolution media files, app caches, software updates, and even forgotten backups can quietly take up gigabytes of space. The symptoms? Slower performance, system errors, and an inability to update macOS or apps due to lack of free space.

By learning how to locate and remove large files, you:

• Regain free space instantly
• Improve system performance
• Avoid costly cloud or external storage upgrades

Let's explore the easiest and most efficient methods to find these files.

Use Built-in Tools to Locate Large Files on Mac

macOS comes equipped with some helpful tools that can make finding large files straightforward and efficient. Here's how to use them.

Method 1. Find Large Files Using Finder's Smart Search

The Finder's advanced search filters let you manually find large files on your Mac.

Steps:

1. Open Finder.
2. Press Command + F to initiate a new search.
3. In the search bar, click the first dropdown and choose "Other".

4. Type and select "File Size", then choose "is greater than".

5. Enter a size value (e.g., 200 MB, 1 GB, etc.).
6. Sort the results by size to find the biggest files.

Method 2. Use macOS Storage Management Tool

Apple provides a built-in storage management utility with macOS that offers an overview of what's taking up space.

Steps:

1. Click the Apple Menu > System Settings.

2. Click General > Storage.

Then you can see what is taking up the disk space of your Mac.

Click i behind every catalogue to check the details. You can find and delete useless large files.

Method 3. Use Terminal to Find Large Files

For more advanced users, macOS's Terminal offers precise and flexible control to locate large files, including those hidden from Finder.

1. Find Files Larger Than X MB

Open Terminal from Utilities via Applications and run:

sudo find / -type f -size +500M 2>/dev/null

• -type f: Only files, not directories
• -size +500M: Files larger than 500 megabytes
• 2>/dev/null: Suppresses permission errors

👉 Important: Use sudo with care as it allows full system access.

2. List Top Largest Files in Any Directory

To display the top 20 largest files:

sudo du -ah / | sort -rh | head -n 20

• du -ah /: Lists size of all files in root
• sort -rh: Sorts by size, descending
• head -n 20: Shows top 20 largest entries

💡 Tip: Replace / with another path like ~/Downloads to limit the search to specific folders.

Use Third-Party Apps to Find Large Files on Mac

If you prefer a visual approach or want deeper control over your files, third-party apps are a great option.

1. DMcleaner for Mac - Quick, Safe and Smart

DMcleaner for Mac is a comprehensive Mac cleanup & disk management tool. It offers large file cleaner tool to help find large & old files on your Mac. It also can help find duplicate files on Mac, find and delete junk data on Mac, etc.

Follow the steps below to find and delete large files on your Mac:

Step 1. Download and install DMcleaner for Mac, run it from Launchpad.

Step 2. Open DMcleaner for Mac, choose Large File Cleaner. Then drag and drop the target folder/volume to analyze.

It will quickly list all files inside the folder/volume by Size.

You can preview these files. Then select the ones you want to delete, click on Delete button.

DMcleaner for Mac also can help:

• Find and delete duplicate files on Mac.
• Uninstall unwanted apps and delete all leftovers.
• Clean up all junk data on Mac.
• Remove internet browsers' junk data on Mac.

2. DaisyDisk - Visual, Fast, and Intuitive

DaisyDisk is one of the most popular disk space analyzers for macOS, widely praised for its elegant interface and speed.

Key Features:

• Interactive sunburst visual map for quick file size analysis
• Fast scanning engine that works even on large drives
• Drag-and-drop deletion for selected files
• Supports both internal and external drives

How to Use DaisyDisk:

1. Install from daisydiskapp.com or Mac App Store.
2. Launch the app and select the disk you want to scan.
3. Click "Scan" and wait for the circular graph to populate.

4. Hover over the segments to see folder/file details.
5. Drag unwanted files to the collector and click Delete.

Best For:

• Visual thinkers
• Creatives with lots of multimedia files
• Anyone managing multiple disks

3. CleanMyMac X – All-in-One Optimization and Cleanup Suite

CleanMyMac X is more than just a large file finder - it's a complete Mac maintenance toolkit that includes system cleanup, malware protection, and speed optimization tools.

Key Features:

• Smart scan for system junk, caches, and large/old files
• Large & Old Files module shows files by size and last opened date
• Uninstaller, updater, and malware remover
• Intuitive interface with real-time monitoring

How to Use CleanMyMac X to Find Large Files:

1. Download and install from macpaw.com.
2. Launch the app and go to Large & Old Files.
3. Select the drive and start the scan.
4. Review and filter files by size, type, or last access date.

5. Mark files for deletion and click Remove.

Best For:

• Users looking for an all-in-one Mac maintenance tool
• Frequent system optimizers and power users

4. GrandPerspective – Free and Lightweight

GrandPerspective is a no-frills, open-source macOS application that provides a treemap visualization of your file system.

Key Features:

• Treemap-style graphical representation of disk usage
• Lightweight and free
• Configurable display settings

How to Use GrandPerspective:

1. Download from grandperspectiv.sourceforge.net.
2. Launch the app and choose a folder or drive to scan.
3. The app displays boxes of different sizes/colors based on file size.

4. Click on a box to preview the file, and delete if necessary.

Best For:

• Advanced users and minimalists
• People looking for a free, functional solution

5. Disk Inventory X - Another Free Tree Map Analyzer

Disk Inventory X is a similar alternative to GrandPerspective, offering a detailed tree map layout of your disk's contents.

Key Features:

• Displays directory sizes graphically
• Shows file types and sizes with color-coded blocks
• Lightweight and simple to use

How to Use Disk Inventory X:

1. Download from diskinventoryx.com.
2. Select the drive to scan.
3. View results in a combined list and treemap format.
4. Use the color legend to locate large files by type.

Best For:

• Users who prefer list + visual layout
• Free alternative to DaisyDisk

Tips for Managing Storage After Finding Large Files

Finding large files is just one part of the storage-cleanup process. Here's how to manage them responsibly:

1. Delete or Move Large Files

Before deleting, ask:

• Do I still need this file?
• Can it be backed up or moved to external/cloud storage?

Options:

• Move to external hard drive or USB flash drive
• Upload to iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox

2. Archive Infrequently Used Files

If you don't want to delete files permanently but rarely access them, consider archiving.

Use macOS's built-in Compress feature: Right-click file/folder > Compress

3. Empty Trash

Deleted files remain in the Trash until it's emptied.

Right-click the Trash icon > Empty Trash

4. Back Up Important Files

Use Time Machine or third-party solutions to ensure important data is always recoverable.

Common Locations Where Large Files Accumulate

Knowing where to look helps target your efforts.

1. Downloads Folder

Often overlooked, this folder stores:

• Disk images
• Large media files
• Software installers

Clean it regularly.

2. ~/Library/Application Support

This folder can hold:

• Game data
• Video project files
• App caches

Be cautious when deleting - some files are essential.

3. Photos, Music, and iMovie Libraries

Media libraries grow over time:

• iMovie renders and events
• Final Cut Pro backups
• iTunes/Music downloads

Use library management tools to trim them.

4. Old iOS Backups

Stored in:

~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup

Delete them via Finder or iTunes if they’re no longer needed.

5. Disk Images and Virtual Machines

Check for .dmg, .iso, .vdi, and .vmwarevm files that are no longer required.

Automate Large File Management

To save time and keep your Mac optimized, consider setting up automation.

1. Smart Folders

Create dynamic folders that always show large files:

• Finder > File > New Smart Folder
• Add "File Size" filter

2. Automator Scripts

Use Automator to create workflows that:

• Scan directories for large files
• Move them to specific folders

3. Scheduled Cleanups

Apps like CleanMyMac X allow for:

• Regular reminders
• Automatic cache cleaning
• Smart analysis reports

Conclusion

Freeing up space on your Mac doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're using Finder, Terminal, or an app like DMcleaner for Mac, finding and managing large files is a straightforward way to boost performance and regain control of your storage.

Here's a quick recap:

• Finder and Storage Management work great for beginners.
• Terminal offers deep control for advanced users.
• Apps like DMcleaner quickly find and delete large or old files.

Make a habit of reviewing your Mac's storage every few months, and you'll avoid storage woes before they begin. After all, a well-maintained Mac is a happy (and speedy) Mac.