https://macoptimize.app/blog/ Practical guides to Mac disk space, developer caches and performance. en Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://macoptimize.app/blog/xcode-derived-data-cleanup/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/xcode-derived-data-cleanup/ Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 DerivedData grows with every build and Xcode never clears it. Here is how to measure the folder, what is safe to delete, and how to stop it refilling your SSD. Xcode https://macoptimize.app/blog/node-modules-cleanup/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/node-modules-cleanup/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 A fresh React project is 300MB of node_modules and a Next.js project is closer to 800MB. Here is how to count them all, measure them, and clear the ones you forgot about. Node.js https://macoptimize.app/blog/recursive-node-modules-cleaner/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/recursive-node-modules-cleaner/ Sun, 06 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 The find commands that list every node_modules folder, how to keep the ones you need, and a safer alternative to blind recursive deletes. Node.js https://macoptimize.app/blog/npm-yarn-pnpm-cache-cleanup/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/npm-yarn-pnpm-cache-cleanup/ Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Where npm, yarn and pnpm store downloaded packages on macOS, how much space the caches take, and the commands that clear them without breaking your projects. Node.js https://macoptimize.app/blog/docker-disk-space-mac/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/docker-disk-space-mac/ Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Docker Desktop on macOS stores everything in one sparse file that grows but rarely shrinks. Here is how to verify the real size and reclaim the space safely. Docker https://macoptimize.app/blog/docker-xcode-disk-cleanup/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/docker-xcode-disk-cleanup/ Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 A repeatable 15 minute cleanup for a development Mac: prune Docker, clear Xcode caches, remove unused simulators and Android images, and verify the space came back. Docker https://macoptimize.app/blog/android-studio-disk-cleanup/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/android-studio-disk-cleanup/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Gradle caches, emulator images and SDK packages quietly add up to 100GB on an Android development Mac. Here is how to measure each one and what is safe to remove. Android https://macoptimize.app/blog/macos-system-data-guide/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/macos-system-data-guide/ Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 System Data is the catch all category in macOS storage settings. Here is what fills it, why it grows to 200GB, and how to measure each contributor. macOS https://macoptimize.app/blog/delete-system-data-folders-mac/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/delete-system-data-folders-mac/ Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 The specific folders behind a large System Data figure on macOS, how much each one usually holds, and which ones must never be cleared in bulk. macOS https://macoptimize.app/blog/library-hidden-caches-mac/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/library-hidden-caches-mac/ Sat, 08 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Your Library folder is hidden by default and often holds 50GB or more of caches and backups. Here is how to find the folders that matter, and which to leave alone. macOS https://macoptimize.app/blog/other-volumes-container-apfs/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/other-volumes-container-apfs/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Disk Utility shows Other Volumes in Container taking a big share of your drive. Here is what APFS containers hold and what can safely be removed. macOS https://macoptimize.app/blog/macos-update-disk-full/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/macos-update-disk-full/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Major macOS updates leave snapshots, installers and re-indexed Spotlight data behind. Here is what to check after an update leaves your Mac short on space. macOS https://macoptimize.app/blog/mac-storage-full-guide/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/mac-storage-full-guide/ Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Photos and Documents add up to 38GB on a 256GB Mac, so where did the other 200GB go? Work through these checks in order, biggest wins first, before buying anything. Beginner https://macoptimize.app/blog/find-duplicate-files-mac/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/find-duplicate-files-mac/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Three ways to find duplicate files on macOS using tools you already have, the reality check on whether duplicates are your real problem, and where a visualizer helps. Storage https://macoptimize.app/blog/mac-slow-performance-fixes/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/mac-slow-performance-fixes/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 A slow Mac is usually memory pressure, thermal throttling or a single runaway process, not a full disk. Here is how to tell which one you are dealing with in a minute. macOS https://macoptimize.app/blog/daisydisk-alternatives/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/daisydisk-alternatives/ Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 DaisyDisk is a strong visualizer. Here are the realistic alternatives, what each one does well, and the four questions that decide which one fits your Mac. Comparison https://macoptimize.app/blog/cleanmymac-alternative/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/cleanmymac-alternative/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 CleanMyMac is polished software with a yearly subscription. Here is an honest comparison, and when a one time tool is the better buy. Comparison https://macoptimize.app/blog/grandperspective-vs-macoptimize/ https://macoptimize.app/blog/grandperspective-vs-macoptimize/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 GrandPerspective is free, open source and honest. Here is what it does well, where a modern analyzer and cleaner adds value, and how to choose between them. Comparison