External drives · Space on the drive
Why didn't deleting files from my external drive free up space?
Short answer: Deleted files sit in the Trash on that same drive until you empty the Trash with the drive connected. Empty it and the space returns; if not, give macOS a moment or restart, as something may still be holding the files.
Files you delete from an external drive go to the Trash, but they stay on that drive until the Trash is emptied. Empty the Trash while the drive is connected and the space comes back.
If space still doesn't return:
- An app, or Time Machine's local snapshots of that drive, may still hold the files — give it a little while or restart.
- Hidden system folders on the drive (such as Spotlight's index) use some space.
On the drive Storage Studio uses, don't delete things from its folder by hand — see why you shouldn't delete from Storage Studio's folder.