Mac mini: macOS update low disk space, external download?

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Level 1

4 points

Mac mini: macOS update low disk space, external download?

I have a Mac Mini 2018 with 8GB of memory and a 121 GB hard drive. I'm trying to upgrade from macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 to 15.7.3, but don't have enough HD memory to download the installer. I could delete all my photos and documents and still not have enough free space. If I remember correctly, I was able to upgrade to Sequoia by downloading the installer directly to an external SSD, and then run the installer.

Now, the Apps Store download will only save the to the Applications folder. Is there a source where I can download using Safari and direct the huge file to my external drive?

Mac mini, macOS 15.7

Posted on Dec 30, 2025 11:42 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

91,312 points

Dec 30, 2025 12:02 PM in response to DJPMini

Sounds like you need to move your Photos, Music and/or Movie Libraries to an external drive.

Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

Change where your music files are stored on Mac - Apple Support

Move your iMovie for Mac library - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

102,913 points

Dec 30, 2025 12:43 PM in response to DJPMini

Even of your able to move all the things suggested by my colleague @ den.thed

Those are good ideas so do not this wrong

A 2018 Mac Mini with 8 GB Ram and 128 GB SSD drive

Unless you what to send more time managing the space on the drive and not being able to to do what you want to do

When the user discovers this issue, it’s likely because the computer’s internal drive capacity is small, such as 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB.

For example, the 13-inch MacBook Pro around 2017 offered a 128 GB storage option, and Apple sold these configurations into 2018.

Unfortunately, the user’s storage needs may have increased since the computer was purchased.

To future-proof the computer, consider spending extra money upfront on a larger drive capacity and adding more unified RAM.

Note - On Apple Silicon and newer computers. The SSD Drive and the Unified RAM are Soldered to the Logicboard and can not be upgraded.

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Answer 3

Limnos

Level 10

427,577 points

Dec 30, 2025 11:59 AM in response to DJPMini

I get the impression that Apple has pretty much entirely taken away user control of updates. Gone are the days when you could download a separate updater file and then apply it.

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