Here’s a quick guide on how to clean junk files on Mac. We’ll go over types of junk you might have on your Mac and why it’s there, as well as ways of getting it removed. Why would you want it removed (apart from the desire to keep your Mac clean)? Because junk not only takes up space, it slows your Mac down, and it’s usually the reason behind system glitches and errors. In other words, getting rid of it is all around a great idea.
This guide will help you to clean all the extra junk on your Mac’s operating system and breathe new life into your Mac.
Now that you know the sorts of files that get lumped into the Other category in your Mac storage, it should be clear cleaning up that space isn't as simple as flipping a switch. You can target individual file types though, with special attention paid to large and unneeded files, to free a lot of space.
What are user cache files and how to remove them?
The user cache files are usually app files that are stored on your Mac. These are various temporary files that are meant to speed the performance of the Apple software. Caching data is essential for Macs that use wired internet connection. But, by caching for a long time, your Mac accumulates lots of files, which can affect its performance. So, it’s better to clean your Mac of them and help it run faster.
Here’s how to clean junk files on Mac and remove user cache:
- Jul 23, 2017 The Mac does not accumulate 'junk files'. Old log files are removed when they are old, and Caches are used to keep your Mac speedy - removing them slows down your Mac, not speeds it up. If you want to throw away your own old files, there is no automatic way to do so.
- Aiseesoft Mac Cleaner enables you to clean junk files, large/old/unnecessary/duplicate files on your Mac, uninstall unwanted. After that, you can start to remove these junk files, system logs, caches, mail attachments, useless iTunes backups, etc. Key Functions: 1. Clean Junk Files Find and erase worthless cache data/logs quickly, delete photo/mail junk files, clear Trash up to.
- Open Finder.
- Press Command+Shift+G.
- Enter the following command into the field and select Go:
~/Library/Caches. - In the window that appears, you will see all your cache files.
- Press Command+A to select all files and delete them. Press Command and click on the folders you want to delete if you don’t want to remove all files at once.
- In the pop-up that appears, you’ll need to enter your user name and password.
If you still see folders in Caches, maybe you have some windows open. In other cases, there will be no cache files left.
What are system log files and how to remove them?
Every Mac has system log files stored deep inside its memory. Mac saves and stores system log files mainly for developers to diagnose errors and problems with macOS and system applications when they occur. These logs are plain text files, so they usually don’t take up a lot of storage. But, when you’re running out of free space, deleting even such small files may help you declutter your Mac.
It’s important to note, though, that cleaning system log files manually, you may accidentally delete some essential data. So, make sure to back up your data to avoid heartache when you delete something important. Using safe cleaning tools notarized by Apple, like CleanMyMac X, can help you prevent the risks of removing valuable data.
So, to clean system junk on your Mac, do the following:
- Open Finder.
- From the Go menu, select Go to folder.
- Enter the
/var/login the field and select Go. - You will see all the system log files. Select the files you want to remove and drag them to the Bin.
You can also find system log files in /Library/Logs. This folder contains system application logs that aren’t essential to store.
If you go to /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports, you will find system reports. Safely delete the files to keep your Mac clean and free of clutter.
How to remove user log files?
When your app crashes, you usually are asked to submit a bug report. The system gathers your user logs and includes them in a report. The user log files don’t contain information on user activity as it may seem. They only deal with app-level functionality.
If your Mac is old, you probably have a lot of user logs. So, it’s time to clean your machine of them.
Follow the instructions to delete user log files on your Mac:
- Open Finder.
- Press Command+Shift+G.
- Enter the following command in the field and press Go:
~/Library/Logs. - You will see all the system log files. You can manually move the files from folders to Bin.
If you want to declutter your Mac fully, select all user log files and delete them.
How to delete language files?
Thanks to localization and language files, you can set your apps to the language you prefer. But once you determined the language of the app, you may delete other language files. These files are usually stored inside application packages, so many users don’t even have the faintest idea they exist on their Macs.
If you wonder how to delete junk files on Mac, you may start by removing the language files:
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- Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
- Right-click any application icon and select Show Package Contents.
- Find the Resources folder and open it.
- All subfolders ending with “lproj” are language files. Each folder contains localization information on a particular language. For example, the folder named en.lproj comprises English language files.
- Select the language folders and move them to Bin.
Don’t forget to empty the Bin, when you’re done removing junk files from your Mac.
How to remove Xcode junk?
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If you use Xcode, tons of your disk space gets hogged with old cache and junk that Xcode consumes. You might not even notice it until it impacts your Mac’s performance. In case you would like to go over all the libraries to remove Xcode junk manually, here’s a list of paths you need:
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~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData~/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives~/Library/Developer/Xcode/iOS DeviceSupport~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator~/Library/Caches/com.apple.dt.Xcode~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
Important notice: we do not assume responsibility for the possible damage or loss of data that might occur when you manually clean Xcode libraries. Thus, venture this path on your own risk. Or use CleanMyMac X, because it knows exactly how to clean Xcode cache, traces, and leftovers and does it neatly, leaving all the important files intact.
How to remove junk files on your Mac with CleanMyMac X?
We already mentioned CleanMyMac X as a universal cleaning solution for your Mac. So how to clean system junk on your Mac with CleanMyMac X's System Junk module?
- Download CleanMyMac X for free here.
- Launch it and select System Junk from the list of features on the left.
- Click Scan.
- After the scan is done, click Review Details.
- Check the boxes opposite to User Cache Files, System Cache Files, Language Files, and other items you want to delete.
- Hit Clean.
Now your Mac is as good as new! CleanMyMac X deletes junk files, including user cache, system logs, downloads, and even Xcode junk files all at once to speed up your Mac and free it from clutter.
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Although each system file or user log doesn’t seem to take much of your Mac’s storage, together, they can make it difficult for your Mac to perform well. That’s why it’s better to scan your machine for junk files and get rid of them once in a while.