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How to Find Large Files on Mac and Quickly Reclaim Disk Space

By Sophie Green

2026-01-08 / Mac Cleanup

If you're searching for how to find large files on Mac , you're probably running out of storage and wondering what's taking up so much space. Over time, large files like old videos, forgotten downloads, backups, and unused apps quietly pile up, slowing down your Mac and leaving you with constant "disk almost full" warnings.

The good news is that macOS provides built-in ways to locate large files—but they often require manual sorting, multiple clicks, and a lot of patience. For many users, it's easy to miss hidden files or accidentally delete something important.

In this guide, we'll show you how to find where large files are on Mac using Finder and macOS storage tools, and then introduce Cleamio, a smarter and faster solution that automatically scans your Mac, highlights the largest files, and lets you safely remove what you don't need. If you want to free up space without the stress, you're in the right place.

Part 1: Why Large Files Take Up So Much Space on Mac

Before learning how to find large files on your Mac, it helps to understand what usually fills up storage so quickly.

Common Types of Large Files on macOS

Large files often include:

• Videos and screen recordings
• Downloaded installers and archives
• Old applications and app data
• iPhone or iPad backups
• Duplicate files

These files are often forgotten and sit unnoticed in folders for months—or even years.

How Large Files Affect Mac Performance

When large files consume most of your disk space, macOS has less room to operate efficiently. This can cause slower performance, longer app launch times, failed updates, and system lag. Clearing large files is one of the fastest ways to restore speed.

Part 2: How to Find Large Files on Mac Using Built-In Tools

macOS includes basic tools that can help you locate large files without installing extra software.

Find Large Files with Finder Filters

Finder allows you to search files by size:

• Open Finder
• Click File > Find
• Add a filter for File Size > is greater than (for example, 500 MB)

This method helps you identify large files across your Mac, though it may take time to review results manually.

Use Storage Management in macOS

Go to Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage > Manage.

Here, macOS categorizes files like Applications, Documents, and Media, making it easier to spot which categories are taking up the most space. While helpful, this view doesn't always show detailed file locations or duplicates.

Part 3: Limitations of Manual File Search on Mac

Manual methods work, but they aren't always efficient—especially for users with years of accumulated data.

Why Finder and Storage Tools Aren't Always Enough

Built-in tools don't automatically:

• Detect duplicate large files
• Highlight hidden system clutter
• Suggest safe files to delete

You may also spend a lot of time switching between folders and comparing file sizes.

Risk of Accidentally Deleting Important Files

Without clear guidance, it's easy to delete files you still need. That's why many users prefer a tool that clearly separates safe-to-delete files from important system data.

Part 4: Find and Delete Large Files on Mac with Cleamio

If you want the easiest and safest way to find and delete large files on Mac, Cleamio is designed exactly for this task.

How Cleamio Helps You Find Large Files Automatically

Cleamio scans your Mac and:

• Identifies the largest files and folders
• Sorts files by size and category
• Detects duplicates and unnecessary data
• Clearly shows what's safe to remove

Everything is presented in a clean, easy-to-understand interface.

Steps to Find and Delete Large Files Using Cleamio

• Download and launch Cleamio on your Mac
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• Run a full scan for large files

• Review files ranked by size

• Select unwanted files and delete them safely

With Cleamio, you stay in control and avoid removing critical system files by mistake.

Conclusion

Knowing how to find large files on Mac is essential for freeing up storage and keeping your system running smoothly. While Finder and macOS storage tools can help, they often require manual effort and careful review.

For a faster, safer, and more organized approach, Cleamio makes it easy to locate and remove large files without guesswork. If your Mac is running out of space, Cleamio is a smart addition to your cleanup routine.