'Your startup disk is almost full' Mac Error

Seeing the 'Your startup disk is almost full' Mac Error is certainly not a good thing because it means that it is time to free up some disk space by deleted files you no longer need. Often, users encounter this issue after a big operating system update, like the recently released Big Sure. The error is very self-explanatory – macOS is telling you that your system disk is almost full, and you may start to experience issues if you do not free up some space soon.

Check What Files are Eating up Space

Open the Apple Menu and select 'About This Mac.' Then go to the 'Storage' tab and you will see a graphical representation of the types of files using your computer's memory, as well as the available disk space. Often, users find out that the majority of their disk space is taken by media or documents – if this is also the case for you, then you are in luck because removing unnecessary files can turn out to be an easy task.

Start by Emptying the Trash Bin

Many users forget that deleting a file from macOS does not remove it immediately and, instead, it takes it to the 'Trash Bin.' If you have been doing this without emptying out the trash, then there is a chance that you may end up freeing a lot of disk space by simply right-clicking the trash bin and selecting 'Empty Bin.'

Check the 'Downloads' Folder

When you download files from the Internet, macOS will store them in the 'Downloads' folder by default. Over time, this directory may fill up with all sorts of old files that you no longer need. Check its contents and delete what you do not need by going to Finder -> /Macintosh HD/Users/Current User/Downloads.

Remove macOS Logs

One type of temporary file that may eat a lot of your disk space are the 'Logs.' To delete it, open Finder -> Go -> Go to Folder -> ~/Library. Access the 'Logs' directory and then wipe out its contents.

Remove Unnecessary Language Resources

By default, many apps will install additional language packs that you may not really need. While individual language packs take minimal space, users with a lot of software installed may end up having thousands of language resources they do not need. For example, a popular software suite like Spotify may bring over 50 language packs to your macOS.

To delete this unnecessary data, go to Finder -> Applications, and then right-click the app whose language resources you want to check. Select 'Show Package contents' and then open 'Resources.' Delete all languages that you do not use.

Delete Unused Apps

Any software that you do not use should be deleted. Go to Finder -> Applications to take a look at all apps installed on your computer at the moment. Delete the ones you do not need by dragging them to the trash bin. Of course, do not forget to empty the trash afterward.

Use an External Hard Drive or Other Storage Device
If you have any files that you rarely use yet still need, you may want to store them on an external device until you end up needing them. The great thing about external hard drives and similar storage devices is that they can also be an easy way to maintain up-to-date backups of important files.

Remove Duplicate Files

Your iTunes Library may be full of duplicate files that can be deleted to free up space. Open iTunes -> File -> Library, and then select 'Show Duplicate Items.' If there are any results, delete them.