how to get more storage on your mac without buying a new one
by sumit paul · last updated
a mac's internal storage can't be upgraded after you buy it, so a full 256 GB or 512 GB disk means moving files somewhere else. you have five practical options: clear what you don't need, use an external ssd, let icloud offload files, use google drive or dropbox's own apps, or use a cloud drive that streams files instead of downloading them. which one fits depends on whether your files are big, how often you open them, and whether you're always near the drive you'd plug in.
1. see what's taking the space
open the apple menu › system settings › general › storage. macos lists what uses your disk and offers to empty the trash automatically, store files in icloud, and review large files. old downloads, ios backups and xcode caches are common surprises. this costs nothing, but it only helps until the disk fills up again.
2. an external ssd
a usb-c or thunderbolt ssd adds hundreds of gigabytes for a one-time price and is fast enough to edit video from. the catch is that it has to be plugged in: files on it aren't there when you're working away from your desk, and it's one more thing to carry and lose.
3. icloud drive with "optimize mac storage"
with optimize mac storage on, macos keeps older files in icloud and only a placeholder on your mac. when you open one, the whole file downloads first and then stays on your mac until space runs low again. it's built in and works well for documents. for big videos you wait for the full download each time you open one, and you need an icloud+ plan beyond the free 5 GB.
4. google drive for desktop or the dropbox app
both put your cloud in finder. google drive for desktop's stream mode and dropbox's online-only files keep files in the cloud until you open them, then download the whole file and keep a local copy. that's fine for documents and photos. a 40 GB video still has to fit on your disk to open, and it stays there afterwards until you remove the local copy.
5. a cloud drive that streams instead of downloading
feather drive puts google drive and dropbox in finder, but when you open a file it fetches only the part the app is reading. a video starts in about a second and nothing is saved in full to your mac, so a 92 GB file opens even with 10 GB free. it uses the google drive or dropbox storage you already pay for, and there's nothing to plug in.
the limits: it needs an internet connection to open files, it needs macos 26, and it only sees files you put in it (not the rest of your drive). it's a paid app with a 3-day free trial.
which one should you use?
| option | best for | what to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| clear space in system settings | a quick win, free | doesn't add space; it fills up again |
| external ssd | editing big projects at a desk | has to be plugged in and carried |
| icloud optimize mac storage | documents, apple-only setups | opening a file downloads all of it |
| google drive / dropbox apps | documents and photos you share | opened files are copied to your disk in full |
| feather drive | large videos, raw photos, archives | needs a connection; only sees files you add |
many people combine two: an external ssd for the project they're editing this week, and a streaming cloud drive for everything finished.