How To Get Rid of Junk Files on Mac

With time and usage, numerous junk files might start clogging up your Mac system. These files are usually created by applications and left behind on the system even when the application itself has been removed. In other cases, these are temporary files designed to facilitate the smooth operation of Apple software products. The most common junk files are caches and logs.

Removing the User Cache and Log files

To clean up your device from unnecessary and outdated cache files, you will need to access the hidden Library folder. To do so, follow the steps:

1. Open Finder.
2. Press Command+Shift+G. This is the keyboard shortcut that opens 'Go to Folder.'
3. Type ~/Library/Caches in the new window and click on 'Go.'
4. Delete specific files and press Command+A on your keyboard to select everything. 
5. Confirm your decision by entering your user name and password in the pop-up window.

To delete user log files follow the same steps but type ~/Library/Logs in the 'Go to Folder' window, instead. 

Removing System Log Files

The process for deleting system log files differs and in general removing these files is a bit riskier, so make sure to create a backup of your data beforehand. 

1. Open Finder.
2. Press Command+Shift+G on your keyboard to open the 'Go to Folder' window. 
3. Type /var/log in the field and click on 'Go.'
4. You will see a list of all the system log files. Select the ones you wish to remove and drag them to the Trash. 
5. Follow steps 1 to 3 but this time type /Library/Logs before hitting 'Go.' This folder contains non-essential system application logs so delete any that you deem unnecessary.
6. Follow steps 1 to 3 yet again to access the /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports folder. It contains various system report files that can be safely deleted.