Unable to delete data from iMac with 1TB to clear storage

Question

Level 1

4 points

Unable to delete data from iMac with 1TB to clear storage

As I said tried deleting files to make space until I could no longer delete anything, Time Machine filled up as well. through impatience erased Time Machine but the drive will no longer mount. I'm unable to open anything(apps) except the web browser and I need my Mac for work. Can't afford to buy a new one at the moment so I have to sort this some way. I can not wipe this drive clean and start again there's too much that I need for work on here. Can anyone help me please.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: iMac 27" 14.5 1TB. my drive is now down to 29GB and I'm unable to delete anything

Posted on Jul 21, 2025 07:57 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

214,284 points

Jul 21, 2025 04:54 PM in response to daxx11

If you need the files remaining on the inner boot drive just get an external drive, formate it APFS for SSDs or OS X Extended (journaled) for HDDs and move about 100 GB of files to it. The files many users move to external drives are those in the Pictures, Movies and Music folders which tend to take up the largest space. Also seldom used files from the Documents folder.

If you do get an external drive and copy the Pictures, Music and Movie folders to it be sure to test the files on the external drive before deleting from the internal boot drive. Also do you delete the actual folders from the boot drive, just the contents in them.

It's wise to keep a minimum of 80-100 GB of free space at all times to facilitate optimal system and application performance.

To make access to those folders easy remove the current folders from the Finder's sidebar and drag the folders from the external drive into their place.

Reply

Answer 2

daxx11 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 22, 2025 11:37 AM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for the reply,

I've done all of that and more, the problem became worse while moving files, after deleting the files and then folders for whatever reason the folder size say 6Gb for a folder of pictures would then be taken off from the internal drive. so 78GB on the HD would then be reduced to 72GB. I didn't notice this until I was unable to delete anything further and work folders that I need could not be accessed and all of a sudden Time Machine became full not allowing me to delete older files for space and access. The internal hard drive is now down to 24GB.

Reply

Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

214,284 points

Jul 22, 2025 03:03 PM in response to daxx11

Sometimes it takes a few days to reindex the drive so that the actual free space can be determined. You can speed up the indexing by following this Apple document: Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac - Apple Support

How much did you copy the to external drive?

Are you not able to copy any more to the drive?

How big is the external drive?

What is the manufacture, model, format and size of the external drive?

Reply

Answer 4

daxx11 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 23, 2025 02:13 PM in response to Old Toad

it's an 8TB WestD drive that's journaled. I've copied over most but not all photo files, all needed downloads and a few movies. music is kept to Spotify but what I don't understand is why deleted files are acting in the way they are.If I ever get this sorted and backed up properly again I will wipe the internal drive and start again. I can only run up to 14.5 because the iMac is 2019 which I know brings it's on problems or at least will when Apple stop supporting it but I'm retired and can no longer afford to buy new Macs even though I do work freelance from time to time.

Reply

Answer 5

daxx11 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 23, 2025 06:35 PM in response to Old Toad

ok that's great but I can't do anything on this Mac except for the moment use Safari, I'm unable to do anything else and that includes all other browsers, if I had a copy of 15.55 I wouldn't be abl to install it or use it.

Reply

Answer 6

Old Toad

Level 10

214,284 points

Jul 24, 2025 10:13 AM in response to daxx11

You are going to have to get another external drive, correctly formatted, and copy about 100 GB of file to it from your boot drive and then delete the same filesfrom your boot drive.

If you can launch Disk Utility and see if you have any local snapshots on your boot drive. If so delete them as in this screenshot:

That could free up some much needed space. But do no more normal work until you free up at least 80-100 GB of space.

Reply