Mac has created a purgeable storage solution for keeping files that no longer in use or not have accessed in a long time; which you can safely delete. Is purgeable space giving you a hard time? Do you want to learn some ways of how to delete purgeable storage on Mac? are you looking for the best MacBook cleaning software?

So if you are looking for the answer to the above questions, then here is the right place. Within this article, we are going to talk about the purgeable space and how to delete them easily. Let’s roll on…

Learn Something About Purgeable Space on Mac First

You want to clear purgeable space but do you even know from where this purgeable is approaching your Mac? Over the past few months or years, have you downloaded a lot of files, media and documents? If so, then during that time all these files would be saved in your iCloud drive thereby creating storage issues. That’s not all, there is a lot you need to know. Let’s look at everything in detail.

What Is Purgeable Space On Mac

What is the purgeable space on the Mac is the first essential question arises in mind? Well, to make it simple it can be of any data type; from cached movies to iTune. Any files data that you have not used at all or over a more extended period are purgeable files.

If you are using MacOS Sierra or High Sierra optimized storage feature; you can identify files quickly that is taking up much space. You can delete them, move them to your iCloud and create space on your startup disk.

However, before, you head on to delete files let me add one essential point purgeable space is not free space. Want to know more? Look into our next heading…

what is mac purgeable space

Purgeable Space Is Not Free Space

You must be fully aware that your Mac storage space is made up of free pace and purgeable space.  So, make it clear ‘purgeable space is not empty space’; purgeable files take up space on your storage disk.  

Has it ever encountered that you want to download a file of 15 GB; but receive a notification that you do not have enough disk space. However, the Mac purgeable space in storage shows 56 GB. This is when purgeable files themselves take up space on your Mac. Want to get rid of this situation?  

Let’s head on and see what files are considered purgeable in the next section.

purgeable space is not free space

What Files Are Included In Purgeable Space?

Here is the question, what files will be considered as purgeable files? Below are the main ones:

  • Disk images or archives: Some files in the Downloads folder on Mac and has ".dmg" in their names.
  • downloads disk images mac

  • Extensions: Some plug-ins and extensions form Apps that you have installed on Mac.
  • extensions from apps

  • Those files synced with iCloud account.
  • files synced with icloud account

  • Data stored by Contacts or Calendar.
  • data stored by calendar

How To Find And View My Purgeable Storage On Mac?

Viewing purgeable storage on the Mac is not a difficult job. You can find and view it through the following ways:

  • Native Storage Tab: Go to Apple Menu> choose About This Mac> switch to Storage Tab. 
  • Hard Drive: In the top menu click GO> click Computer> right-click on your hard drive> attain Storage Space Info.
  • Options Panel: View> Option Panel. 
  • Status bar: Go to the Status Bar Of Your Finder> click on View> Show Status Bar.
  • finder show status bar

Can I Delete Purgeable Files Myself?

Well, if you are planning to delete purgeable files yourself, it’s not at all an easy task. It requires much effort, time and resources. Moreover, you cannot figure out which files are purgeable, and so you cannot quickly delete them yourself. However, if you still want to carry out, continue reading this article. The next section fully illustrates this issue in detail.

The Easiest One-Click Solution to Remove Purgeable Space On Mac

The easiest way to remove purgeable space on Mac is the most exciting yet compelling part in the whole article. If you want to remove purgeable files on your Mac, you need to use a third-party app. So, if you are in search of the best Mac cleanup software; we would recommend Umate Mac Cleaner. It is all-in-one tool for cleaning and optimizing your Mac to boost its performance. Compared to the manual ways we mentioned above, it stands out with a faster scaning and cleaning speed for removing purgeable files.

If you have just gotten started with Mac, and don’t know the details about its operations; don’t worry. This software designed for all newbies like you. Its intuitive user interface is simply amazing. You need to undergo three simple steps and attain your desired results in no time. Follow the steps below:

Step 1. Download, install and launch Umate Mac Cleaner.

Mac version

Umate Mac Cleaner is very easy to install, and most of Mac models work well with it, for the app has a wide compatibility that supports for Macbook/iMac running macOS 10.14-10.9.

Step 2. Choose “ Clean Up Junk” to scan for purgeable items.

The essential step you need to take is to search the purgeable files on your Mac. So, hit the scan button on the “Clean Up Junk” tab! This software has two modes for cleaning - Quick Clean and Deep Clean, and it will automatically detects all purgeable files that are haunting your Mac purgeable disk space. Preview them and select the ones that are least important for you.

Remember: Previewing scan items and selecting which one to delete is the essential part. So, be vigilant in this step.   

umate clean up junk

Step 3. Hit the Clean button to clean up all purgeable files.

Once you have selected all the unnecessary files in Quick Clean part, then hit the Clean button to delete them in a flash. If you want a deeper cleanup then choose Deep Clean mode, which can detect specific types of junk files. Just select the files you want to get rid of and hit the Clean button like before.

umate deep clean

Congratulations! You have removed all purgeable files on your Mac with one click. So, cleaning up your Mac is now not an issue. The on-screen prompts will help you do that thing in no time. It’s a simple process; Scan, Click And Clean. Yes, that’s all.

How Do I Clear Purgeable Storage on My Mac Manually

It is not a good idea to delete purgeable storage on Mac manually. Since you wouldn’t even know what you should remove. And this manual way is not so efficient compared to Umate Mac Cleaner, for it only cleans up 10% purgeable space on your Mac. So we don't recommend this way. Anyway, still want to know the whole process?

It’s like this: Just go to the Menu Bar> click Apple Icon> click About This Mac and click Storage Tab> click Manage. Now you will be presented with a wide range of options to optimize your Mac. Chose the one that suits you: Store in iCloud/Optimize Storage/Empty Trash Automatically/Reduce Clutter.

optimize storage on mac

Important point here: Don’t forget to look at the sidebar. It tells you the amount of storage amount of various system apps you can clear out.

If you ask for genuine vigilant advice on how to purge purgeable space on Mac, we wouldn’t suggest manual method. Instead, use third-party apps; they are cost-effective, efficient and help you save your time and effort.

Bonus Tip: How Can I Get My Purgeable Files Back If I Want To Restore Them

Have you deleted your purgeable files mistakenly, now you want to restore them? Hold on! Relax, it's not impossible.

The purgeable files that you removed from your Mac can replace with the link to the downloadable version. So, you have to open the linked files. Once clicking on it will download the file you deleted, and there you go; your file restored.

However, remember, you can only restore purgeable files: those files that can download again. So, if you are wondering to restore your word document, or excel sheet or your presentation on PowerPoint; you cannot. Unless they were downloaded or kept in your iCloud drive; otherwise, you are doomed.  

Final Verdict

Purgeable space on the Mac is essential and getting rid of the problem of limited storage on your Mac is necessary for all. By now, you would have fully figured out all about how to clear purgeable space on Mac? There are two ways, manually or using a third-party app - Umate Mac Cleaner. It is the best Mac cleanup software that you attain purgeable space on Mac. So, what are you waiting for? Get the free trial of the app and install it.

Mac version