How to free up space on your Mac

Fox News - Mar 29th, 2025
Open on Fox News

Apple has introduced a new feature in its Photos app for macOS Ventura and later, allowing users to easily find and merge duplicate photos. This feature helps users manage their photo libraries more efficiently by keeping only the highest-quality version of each photo, thus freeing up valuable storage space. The Duplicates finder is straightforward to use and can significantly declutter a user's photo collection.

The introduction of this feature is part of Apple's broader efforts to enhance user experience by offering tools that simplify digital management. By reducing the clutter caused by duplicate photos, users can better organize and access their cherished memories. This development is significant as it reflects Apple's continued focus on improving device performance and user convenience. Additionally, for users needing more advanced features, third-party apps are available to provide deeper duplicate detection, including for photos outside the Photos app.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a useful overview of storage management options for Mac users, particularly focusing on the new Duplicates finder feature in macOS Ventura. It offers practical advice with clear instructions, making it accessible to a broad audience. However, the article's reliance on the author's expertise without citing authoritative sources limits its credibility. While timely and relevant, the piece could benefit from a more balanced presentation of alternative solutions and potential drawbacks. Promotional content within the article slightly detracts from its informational value, and greater transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest would enhance reader trust. Overall, the article serves as a helpful guide but could be improved with more comprehensive sourcing and balanced coverage.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article accurately describes the new feature in macOS Ventura, which includes a built-in Duplicates finder in the Photos app. This claim is supported by Apple's documentation and user reports about the new OS features. However, some claims, such as the effectiveness of third-party apps for duplicate detection and the impact of deleting unused apps on system performance, are less substantiated and rely on general assumptions rather than specific evidence. Additionally, details about the automatic emptying of the Trash folder and the benefits of cloud storage are generally correct but could benefit from more precise data or examples to enhance credibility.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on Apple's built-in solutions for managing duplicate photos and freeing up space on a Mac. It does mention alternative methods, such as third-party apps, but these are not explored in depth. The piece leans towards promoting Apple's features without equally discussing potential downsides or limitations, such as the need for users to upgrade to the latest macOS to access these features. This creates a slight imbalance, as it doesn't fully consider users who may not have access to the latest software or who might prefer different solutions.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with step-by-step instructions for using the Duplicates finder in the Photos app. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a broad audience, and the use of subheadings helps organize the content effectively. However, the inclusion of promotional content, such as links to subscribe to newsletters or visit external sites, slightly detracts from the main informational focus and could be better integrated to maintain clarity.

5
Source quality

The article lacks direct citations from authoritative sources such as Apple or technical experts. Instead, it relies heavily on the author's expertise and anecdotal evidence. While the author, Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson, is presented as an experienced tech journalist, the lack of external sources or expert opinions limits the overall reliability and depth of the information presented. The inclusion of more diverse and authoritative sources would strengthen the article's credibility.

6
Transparency

The article is somewhat transparent about its purpose, which is to inform readers about managing storage on Macs. However, it does not clearly disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as affiliations with Apple or third-party app developers. Additionally, while the steps for using the Duplicates finder are detailed, there is limited explanation of the methodology behind these recommendations or the criteria used for selecting alternative methods. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance reader trust.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxnews.com/tech/mac-malware-mayhem-100-million-apple-users-risk-having-personal-data-stolen
  2. https://mackeeper.com/blog/how-to-free-up-disk-space-on-mac/
  3. https://www.foxnews.com/tech/long-dormant-mac-malware-returns-advanced-capabilities
  4. https://macpaw.com/how-to/free-up-space-mac
  5. https://www.foxnews.com/tech/surprisingly-app-causing-nearly-50-macos-malware-delete-now