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About to update to macOS Big Sur on my Macbook Air. I currently have 35GB available out of 121GB. I am worried that after updating I will have absolutely no storage left. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do? Will updating to macOS Big Sur greatly affect my storage?
MacBook Air (2020 or later)
As per Apple Official Support - will Require about 36 GB of Empty Space but see others saying ( and agree ) much better having 50 GB Free Space.
Revision # 8 - May 19, 2021
Tips How to Upgrade to Big Sur
There are several points to consider before attempting the upgrade to Big Sur. The most important is Due Diligence on the part of the User and is a Prerequisite for a smooth upgrade.
The below points should all be consider Before attempting the upgrade.
Point # 1 - Are there pre-existing Unresolved Software Issues. They should be resolved prior to upgrading - they may carryover to Big Sur making the system unstable / unusable.
Point # 2 - Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Defrag, VPNs etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation. The Built-in Security of Big Sur is all that is required.
Point # 3 - What are the System Requirements ie: Empty Space Requirements specific to the Big Sur.
Point # 4 - Does the intended computer qualify for the upgrade.
Point # 5 - Are the installed Applications / Extensions compatible with Big Sur. Check with the Developer for compatible Apps / extension or do they offer updates. Same goes for Third Party Drivers for Printer, Scanners etc.
Point # 6 - If upgrading from Mojave and earlier versions of macOS - Remember that Big Sur does not support anything 32 bit. These include Applications, Extensions and Drivers for any devices. There is no workaround.
Point # 7 - Do I have a Rescue Plan In-Place. This comprises having a Time Machine Backup and for addition purposes - two Tested Bootable Clones each to separate external drives. This is insurance incase the upgrades goes sideways
Point # 8 - To upgrade to Big Sur will require a quick, stable and reliable Internet Connection - preferred method is via Ethernet Connection. If not available and using Wifi - move computer as close to the Access Point / Router and disconnect all other devices connected to Wifi. Want the maximum bandwidth for the computer being upgraded to Big Sur.
Good Luck and come back to these Forums if there are questions, concerns or comments.
As per Apple Official Support - will Require about 36 GB of Empty Space but see others saying ( and agree ) much better having 50 GB Free Space.
Revision # 8 - May 19, 2021
Tips How to Upgrade to Big Sur
There are several points to consider before attempting the upgrade to Big Sur. The most important is Due Diligence on the part of the User and is a Prerequisite for a smooth upgrade.
The below points should all be consider Before attempting the upgrade.
Point # 1 - Are there pre-existing Unresolved Software Issues. They should be resolved prior to upgrading - they may carryover to Big Sur making the system unstable / unusable.
Point # 2 - Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Defrag, VPNs etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation. The Built-in Security of Big Sur is all that is required.
Point # 3 - What are the System Requirements ie: Empty Space Requirements specific to the Big Sur.
Point # 4 - Does the intended computer qualify for the upgrade.
Point # 5 - Are the installed Applications / Extensions compatible with Big Sur. Check with the Developer for compatible Apps / extension or do they offer updates. Same goes for Third Party Drivers for Printer, Scanners etc.
Point # 6 - If upgrading from Mojave and earlier versions of macOS - Remember that Big Sur does not support anything 32 bit. These include Applications, Extensions and Drivers for any devices. There is no workaround.
Point # 7 - Do I have a Rescue Plan In-Place. This comprises having a Time Machine Backup and for addition purposes - two Tested Bootable Clones each to separate external drives. This is insurance incase the upgrades goes sideways
Point # 8 - To upgrade to Big Sur will require a quick, stable and reliable Internet Connection - preferred method is via Ethernet Connection. If not available and using Wifi - move computer as close to the Access Point / Router and disconnect all other devices connected to Wifi. Want the maximum bandwidth for the computer being upgraded to Big Sur.
Good Luck and come back to these Forums if there are questions, concerns or comments.
You should consider getting an external SSD like the OWC Envoy Pro mini to move lesser used files to. It's small enough that it will be easy to carry along with your MBA.
You should maintain a minimum of about 50 GB of free space to facilitate optimal system and app performance.
If you are able to install it, which may not be possible given your limited available space, it will overwrite the old operating system. Their many be a difference in the size of the new file, but it isn't likely to be significant. It seems to me that you are now at the point where you need to purchase and install an external disk for storage which you can copy files to, which can then be deleted from your hard drive to clear space there. These disks are readily available, reasonably priced, compact and easy to install with provided USB cables. Most do not require external power. You may have to reformat it, though. This is an easy solution to solve your problem.
+1 on the OWC thumb drive suggested by Old Toad. you can move your space hogging items to it and leave lots of extra room on your internal drive to perform the upgrade.
macOS update
