As Macs increasingly adopt solid-state drives, storage capacity has often taken a hit due to higher costs. Files pile up quickly, but macOS Sierra brings game-changing optimization tools to reclaim space effortlessly. In my years of troubleshooting Mac storage issues for clients and personal setups, these features have proven invaluable.
Apple's built-in features in Sierra let you offload to iCloud or purge junk swiftly. Here's a step-by-step guide based on real-world use.
macOS Sierra allows you to keep your Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud Drive. Files remain accessible locally, but when space runs low, unused ones offload to iCloud for on-demand redownload.
This seamlessly expands your storage using iCloud without disrupting workflow—if you have enough local space, everything stays put.
Check our detailed guide on enabling iCloud Desktop and Documents syncing on your Mac.
For those who delete files but forget to empty Trash, Sierra automates it. Items over 30 days old vanish gradually, giving ample recovery time.
To enable: Click the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage tab > Manage... (Note: Original says Details, but standard is Manage). Under recommendations, select Turn On next to "Empty Trash Automatically." Confirm to activate.
Sierra can purge watched movies/TV shows (redownloadable from iTunes) and old Mail attachments, keeping only recent ones.
Go to About This Mac > Storage > Manage...
Select options: Optimize iTunes storage or Mail downloads. "Recent" attachments download by default; older ones on demand. Hit Optimize.
For manual cleanup, Sierra's tool scans large/old files—no third-party apps needed. In Storage Management, click Review Files under Reduce Clutter. Sort by size, select, and Command+Delete.
Browse categories like Movies, Music, Photos via sidebar for targeted optimization.
Available since El Capitan (ideal for Sierra refresh), this stores full-resolution Photos in iCloud, keeping thumbnails locally. Full versions offload as needed.
Open Photos > Preferences (from Photos menu) > iCloud tab > select Optimize Mac Storage.
Read also: How to Recover Data from a Failing Mac Hard Drive
