Why Deleting the Photos Library on Mac Doesn't Free Up Hard Drive Space
If you've deleted your Photos library on a Mac in an attempt to free up hard drive space, but haven't seen any changes, there can be several reasons. Let's explore these reasons and how to resolve the issue.
Recently Deleted Album
When you delete photos or an entire library, they might move to the Recently Deleted album. This album acts as a safety net, preventing catastrophic loss of irreplaceable photos. However, if you need to reclaim the space, you must delete the photos a second time in the Recently Deleted album. Before doing this, ensure that you have a recent backup of your data.
Spotlight Indexing
After deleting files, your Mac may still be indexing the drive. This process can temporarily show that space is not freed up until the indexing is complete. To wait for indexing to finish, you can use the built-in Activity Monitor to check the Spotlight indexing status.
Backup Services
If you're using services like iCloud Photos, deleting from your local library may not remove them from the cloud. To ensure that the space is freed up, configure your settings correctly and check for backups in cloud services. If you have iCloud Photos enabled, consider making a new selection or adjusting the settings to optimize storage.
Other Files and Applications
Additionally, the space might be occupied by other files or applications that you weren't aware of. Utilize tools like DaisyDisk or GrandPerspective to identify and manage large files on your drive. Be cautious and ensure you have backups before making changes, as some software can cause issues if tampered with improperly.
Trash and Clean-Up
After deleting the library, ensure that you empty the Trash. The files still occupy space until the Trash is cleared. For a more thorough clean-up, use cleaning utilities like CleanMyMac or OnyX to remove temporary files, caches, and other unnecessary data.
While deleting photos or videos might seem like a quick way to free up space, the reality is often more nuanced. Speaking from personal experience, you'd need to delete 10-20 pictures to notice a significant difference in memory. If you're on a phone, you might want to focus on deleting videos or entire applications to see more substantial changes.
Restarting Your Device
On your computer, the space is often located in the wastebasket. Empty it and restart your computer to free up space. On Android or iPhone devices, restart them after deleting the pictures. This can help in ensuring that the deleted files are properly removed and space is freed up.
When copying an image folder to backup discs, make sure the files are safely stored before deleting them from the original drive. This immediate freeing up of space can be beneficial for managing storage efficiently.
In conclusion, if deleting the Photos library doesn't free up the hard drive space as expected, there are a series of steps and considerations that can help. Regularly backing up your data and using tools designed for file management can greatly assist in effective hard drive space management.
Keywords: Photos library, Mac hard drive, space management