macOS storage management tools offer app compression and automated cleanup

New software tools and methods are being utilized to manage storage constraints on macOS. App Archiver offers a specialized approach by compressing rarely used applications instead of deleting them. This method allows users to reduce the footprint of large programs, such as Android Studio, which saw a reduction from 3.48 GB to 1.76 GB, while keeping the application icon visible in the Applications folder for easy access via Spotlight or other launchers. When an archived app is launched, the tool restores the full version.

For general file maintenance, users are turning to third-party automation to manage cluttered directories like the Downloads folder. While macOS provides tools to identify large files, it lacks a native feature to automatically clear files based on age. The application Hazel, developed by Noodlesoft, can be configured to monitor specific folders and move files to the Trash after a set period, such as 30, 60, or 90 days. This can be paired with macOS Finder settings to automatically empty the Trash after 30 days, creating a fully automated cleanup workflow.