Save Your Mac Space: Installing Apps to External Drives in macOS Sequoia

DISCLAIMER: All tips, tricks, and information provided is for informational purposes only. MacForce takes no responsibility or liability for what a Customer/Consumer chooses to do on or to their devices. MacForce is always happy to help.

Running out of storage space on your Mac? The latest macOS Sequoia 15.1 offers a practical solution that many Mac users have been waiting for - the ability to install large applications directly to external storage devices. This feature can be a real lifesaver if you're working with storage-hungry applications or if you've got a Mac with limited internal storage.

Why This Matters

We all know that Apple charges a premium for additional storage when purchasing a new Mac. Since internal storage typically can't be upgraded after purchase, many users turn to external drives as a more affordable alternative for expanding their storage capacity.

Until the release of macOS Sequoia 15.1, any application downloaded from the Mac App Store would automatically install to your Mac's main drive - not ideal when you're trying to conserve precious internal storage space. Now, there's a better way!

How to Install Apps to External Storage

Setting up your Mac to install large applications to external storage is straightforward:

1. Connect your external drive to your Mac

2. Open the App Store

3. Click on "App Store" in the menu bar

4. Select "Settings..."

5. Check the box next to "Download and install large apps to a separate disk"

6. Choose your external drive from the dropdown menu

Important Things to Know

This helpful feature comes with a few limitations worth noting:

• It only works with applications larger than 1GB

• Your external drive must be connected when enabling this setting

• The external drive needs to be APFS formatted

• Some application data may still be stored on your main drive despite the app being installed externally

• This is an all-or-nothing setting for qualifying apps - you can't choose installation locations on an app-by-app basis

• For best performance, use a fast external SSD rather than a traditional hard drive

Need Help Setting This Up?

If configuring external storage for your applications seems daunting, remember that MacForce is here to help! Our team offers both on-site and remote assistance for issues like this. For physical storage upgrades or more complex storage solutions, visit our convenient location on NE Broadway, where we can handle almost any Mac repair or upgrade necessary.

Don't let storage limitations hold you back from using your favorite apps. Whether you're a professional working with resource-intensive applications like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, or a gamer dealing with space-consuming titles, this new feature in macOS Sequoia can help you manage your storage more effectively.