Apps · Offloading and restoring apps
What's the difference between moving and offloading an app?
Short answer: Move keeps the app working from your fast drive (its data stays on your Mac). Offload archives the app and its data to the drive for maximum space, but it won't open until restored.
Move keeps the app working: it runs from your fast drive, with a shortcut left behind, and its settings and data stay on your Mac. Offload parks the app and its data on the drive and removes both from your Mac — it frees more space, but the app won't open until you restore it.
- Use Move for big apps you still use now and then.
- Use Offload for apps you rarely or seasonally use.
- Use Uninstall for apps you don't want at all.
All three are reversible: moved and offloaded apps come back with one click, and uninstalled items go to the Trash.