How to Find Large Files on Mac
When your Mac runs low on storage, identify large files before deciding what to remove. DiskTreeSize analyzes an authorized folder, sorts its contents by size, and lets you follow the largest branches. It does not automatically clean files or promise a fixed amount of recovered space.
Check available storage first
On macOS 13 or later, open System Settings → General → Storage. Earlier versions use Storage in About This Mac. This gives you the disk-wide overview; see Apple's storage instructions for the built-in controls.
DiskTreeSize helps answer the next question: which folder or file takes up the space? Its folder-based measurements do not reproduce every category in System Settings.
Start with Downloads or a project folder
Click Choose Location, select Downloads or a folder you want to review, then click Analyze. Familiar items such as old installers, video exports, archives, or completed projects are easier to assess than unfamiliar system files.
If you are new to the tree, start with the folder size guide. The app can scan only authorized, accessible locations; protected system directories may remain unreadable.
Follow the largest branches to individual files
- Once results appear, click Size or Allocated and ensure the order runs from largest to smallest.
- Expand a large folder and compare the files and subfolders inside.
- Note a candidate's name, path, and modification date, then identify the project or app it belongs to.
The tree follows the folder hierarchy. A large file can be several levels down, so checking only the first level may miss it. A large folder is also not automatically a folder you should remove as a whole.
File Types can suggest which formats dominate the scanned location. An extension indicates format, not whether a file is still useful.
Use name search for items you recognize
Enter part of a name in Search name…, press Return, and select a result to locate it in the tree. Matching is case-insensitive and shows up to 200 results.
This searches names, not contents or full paths. A condition such as >1 GB is not supported. If you do not know the name, continue sorting by size and expanding folders.
Identify the item before choosing an action
Right-click an item to use Copy Path for free. Pro adds Reveal in Finder to check the item's actual location. A selected folder also offers Open in Finder.
Old installers and your own duplicate exports may be straightforward to identify. For photo libraries, active projects, app-managed data, or unfamiliar Library folders, first check the owning app. Size alone does not determine whether removal is appropriate.
To move an item to Trash from DiskTreeSize:
- Wait for scanning to finish and select a specific file or subfolder. The scan's root folder cannot be trashed this way.
- Right-click and choose Move to Trash…, which requires Pro or an active trial.
- Check the name and location in the confirmation window before confirming.
On your first request for a Pro feature, you can choose a 30-day trial. It does not automatically charge you; the purchase window shows the current price. Scanning and folder analysis do not require starting a trial.
Check the actual storage change
Files in Trash remain on disk and can be restored before it is emptied. Confirm that you no longer need them before emptying it. See Apple's Trash instructions for restoration details.
Return to the system storage overview to check the result. Do not calculate recovered space solely from a reduction in the scan list; the allocated and logical size guide explains the difference.
Frequently asked questions
Does DiskTreeSize list every large file on the disk at once?
No. It shows a tree within the selected folder. Sort by size and expand the largest directories to locate files. The current version has no whole-disk file-size threshold filter.
Can I search by size or file contents?
No. Search matches file and folder names in the scan, not contents or full paths. It does not accept size conditions and displays up to 200 results.
Why is Move to Trash unavailable?
It requires Pro access or an active trial. It cannot run during scanning or target the scan's root folder. Wait for the scan to finish, then check the selected item and Pro status.
