Why deleting files does not free up space on mac

Deleting files does not free up space on Mac! You're not alone in this frustration. There are several reasons why deleting files might not free up space on your Mac, especially if you're new to macOS.

• HFS+ and APFS: If you're using a Mac with an APFS (Apple File System) disk, you might see that the available space is not immediately updated after deleting files. This is because APFS uses a more efficient disk format that can cause delays in updating the available space.
• Space is allocated to files, not occupied: macOS uses a concept called "allocated space," which means that space is reserved on the disk for files, even if they're not currently being used. This is because the operating system needs to keep track of where files are stored on the disk. When you delete files, the allocated space is not immediately released.
• Journaling and disk caching: macOS uses a journaling system to keep track of where files are stored on the disk. This means that every time you write data to the disk, the operating system creates a journal entry that updates the disk's metadata. When you delete files, the journal entries are not immediately updated, which can cause the available space to remain the same.
• Blocks allocation: When you delete files, the space is not immediately released, because the disk's blocks are not immediately deallocated. This is because the operating system needs to ensure that the disk's metadata is updated correctly.
• Disk Repair: Sometimes, your Mac's disk might be in a bad state, causing issues with disk space. You might want to run a disk repair utility to check and fix any issues with your disk.

To resolve the "deleting files does not free up space on Mac" issue, you can try the following:

1. Run a disk repair: Use the built-in Disk Utility app to check and repair your disk.
2. Check for background processes: Use Activity Monitor to check for any background processes that might be consuming disk space.
3. Check system files and logs: Look for system files and logs that might be taking up a significant amount of disk space.
4. Format your drive: If you're still experiencing issues, you might want to consider formatting your drive and starting fresh.