Fix Not Enough Space to Install macOS Sequoia 15

5 mins read

Updated on 2024-09-30 14:35:36 to Remove Duplicates

Updating your Mac to the latest macOS Sequoia should be a straightforward process, but many users encounter the frustrating "not enough space to install macOS Sequoia" error. Whether you’re trying to upgrade to the full release or test out the macOS 15 beta, this error can stop you.

This comprehensive guide will cover why this issue arises, how much storage you need, and various ways to fix it. We also will walk you through a professional duplicate file finder and deleter to remove unnecessary files. Even if your Mac says there is not enough disk space but there is ample room available, we’ll explore the potential causes and solutions.

not enough space to install macos sequoia

Part 1: How Much Storage Does macOS Sequoia Take Up?

1. How Much Storage Do I Need to Update macOS Sequoia?

Before attempting the update, it's crucial to know the space requirements. macOS Sequoia requires approximately 12-15 GB of free disk space for the core installation files. However, Apple recommends having at least 30-40 GB available to accommodate temporary files, caches, and additional system data during installation.

Note:

Sometimes, Mac can’t recognize available storage or says not enough disk space. It’s likely due to leftover system files, hidden caches, or a miscalculation of available storage. Amid this, we highly recommend using the popular 4DDiG Duplicate File Find and Deleter to scan all duplicates and remove them safely and effectively.

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2. How to Check Mac Storage?

It's important to check how much storage is being used before starting your update. Here’s how you can easily check available space on your Mac:

  • Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of your screen. Then select "System Settings".

  • Select "General" > "Storage".

  • Tap on "All Volumes".

  • The free storage space shows light gray. Hover over it to check its space amount.

    check mac available space

Part 2: How to Fix Not Enough Space to Install macOS Sequoia

If your Mac says not enough disk space but there is, here’s how to fix it.

Fix 1. Free Up Disk Space with 4DDiG Duplicate File Deleter

One of the fastest ways to free up space is by deleting duplicate files. Tools like 4DDiG Duplicate File Deleter make this easy by scanning your entire system for redundant files and allowing you to delete them in bulk.

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It vies for many users from its competitors since it displays duplicates according to clear types, safely removes unwanted duplicates, and provides multiple locations to address those removed files.

In a word, with it, you don't need to worry about deleting important files by mistake.

How to Find Duplicate Files on Mac and Delete It Safely with 4DDiG Duplicate File Deleter

  • Tap the above FREE DOWNLOAD button to install this powerful 4DDiG Duplicate File Finder and Remover. Then open it and choose the left "Duplicates" tab.

    get started on 4ddig duplicate file deleter
  • Choose "Local Drive" and hit "Next" to start scanning all duplicate files on your Mac. Then you can select all folders.

    select drives and folders to scan mac duplicates
  • Configure the scanning options by choose the lower "Settings" tab. You can customize the file types, reset file sraching, and choose specific files or folder you want to skip. Once done, click "Save" to keep your settings and hit the "Scan" button.

    customize aettings to scan for mac duplicates
  • Upon scanning, you can choose the "Smart Remove" button to kick off the deletion.

    delete mac duplicates successfully
  • Or, click "Review Duplicates" to select certain files you want to remove and then click ”Remove".

    review duplicates

This method can instantly free up several GBs, helping you resolve the not enough space to install macOS Sequoia fix.

Fix 2. Use Optimize Storage Settings

macOS includes a built-in Optimize Storage feature that automatically removes old files, watched iTunes movies, and other unnecessary data. Here’s how to enable it:

  • Go to the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage.
  • 2. Check "Recommendations" and tap the "Optimize" button next to the "Optimize Storage" tab.

    mac optimize storage

Fix 3. Check Available Space on Mac

After using Optimize Storage, it's important to recheck how much free space you have. Revisit the Storage tab in the About This Mac window to see if you’ve created enough room. Just follow the steps on Part 1.

Fix 4. Remove Unnecessary Files and Apps

Look through your Applications and Files. You may have apps that you no longer use or files that take up a significant amount of space. Here’s a simple way to check:

  • Open Finder. In the Finder menu, select File > Find.
  • Click on the "Kind filter" and choose "Other".

  • Select File Size to filter your files by size. Right-click on the largest ones you no longer need and select "Move to Trash" to delete it.

    move large files to trash

Fix 5. Empty the Trash

Files in the Trash still occupy disk space until they are permanently deleted. To ensure you’re not holding onto unwanted files, right-click on the trash icon and select Empty Trash.

empty trash mac

Fix 6. Delete Downloads Folder

The Downloads folder can accumulate unnecessary files, such as installers and large downloads. Open your Downloads folder, sort files by size, and delete the largest ones.

  • Open Finder and choose the left "Downloads" option.

  • Later, drag and drop the Downloads folder wished to delete into "Trash".

Fix 7. Move Large Files to External Drives or iCloud

If you still don't have enough space to install macOS Sequoia on your MacBook Pro, consider moving large files, such as videos and photos, to an external drive or iCloud.

Fix 8. Disable or Remove Spotlight

In some cases, Spotlight indexing can take up significant storage. Spotlight creates and maintains an index file to quickly search for files and apps. This index file can take up some space on your hard drive, especially when you have a lot of files stored. Temporarily disabling Spotlight might free up some space:

  • Go to System Settings > "Keyboard" > "Keyboard Shortcuts"

  • Then find "Spotlight". By unchecking the "Show Spotlight search", you can disable it.

    disable spotlight mac
  • To remove it, you can go to Control Center, find "Spotlight", and pick "Don't Show in Menu Bar".

    remove spotlight mac

Part 3: People Also Ask

Q1: Is macOS 15 beta safe to download?

Yes, the macOS 15 beta is generally safe to download, but it’s a pre-release version and may contain bugs or performance issues. These versions are mainly for developers or tech-savvy users who can handle potential glitches. Always back up your data before installing the beta, and ensure you have around 40 GB of free space for the installation process.

While the core file is 12-15 GB, extra space is needed for temporary files. Some users recommend installing the beta on a secondary drive or partition to avoid disruptions. You can find user experiences on forums like Not Enough Space to Update MacOS 15 Reddit, where many report on bugs and workarounds for installation.

How do I update my Mac when it says not enough space?

When your Mac throws the "not enough space to install macOS Sequoia" error, follow these steps:

  • Use 4DDiG Duplicate File Deleter: This tool quickly scans and deletes duplicate files, freeing up substantial space for the update.

  • Remove Unnecessary Files/Apps: Delete large apps you no longer use and sort files by size in Finder to clean out unused items, especially in Downloads and Documents.

  • Optimize Storage Settings: Use macOS’s built-in Optimize Storage feature to remove unwanted media and clear space automatically.

  • Move Files to External Drives or iCloud: Transfer large media files or projects to external storage or iCloud to free up immediate disk space for the update.

Following these steps should resolve the not enough space to install macOS Sequoia Macbook Pro and ensure a smooth update process.

Conclusion

Following this guide, you can quickly free up enough space and successfully install macOS Sequoia. Whether using the 4DDiG Duplicate File Deleter to clear out redundant files, leveraging the Optimize Storage feature, or manually removing large and unnecessary apps, there are plenty of options to regain control over your disk space. External storage or cloud solutions like iCloud can also provide long-term storage management solutions, especially if you work with large media files or other data-heavy projects.

Although not enough space to install macOS Sequoia error is inconvenient, it’s a solvable issue. With the tools and techniques shared in this article, you can update your Mac smoothly and take advantage of the new features of macOS Sequoia by learning “How to upgrade macOS 15?” It offers without worrying about storage limitations.

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FREE DOWNLOAD

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William Bollson (senior editor)

William Bollson, the editor-in-chief of 4DDiG, devotes to providing the best solutions for Windows and Mac related issues, including data recovery, repair, error fixes.

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