---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-reduce-messages-storage-on-a-mac
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-reduce-messages-storage-on-a-mac
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Mail, Messages and chat apps"
question: "How do I stop Messages taking up so much space on my Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "messages attachments mac huge"
  - "imessage storage mac"
  - "keep messages 30 days mac"
  - "delete message attachments macbook"
  - "messages folder size mac"
short_answer: "Set Keep messages to 30 days or 1 year in Messages settings, delete large attachments from the Messages section of Storage settings, or use Messages in iCloud."
tags: ["messages", "imessage", "attachments"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/why-is-apple-mail-using-so-much-space", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-reduce-whatsapp-or-telegram-storage-on-a-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I stop Messages taking up so much space on my Mac?

Messages keeps conversations and every photo, video and file sent in them. Three ways to cut it down:

- **Keep messages for less time**: Messages → Settings → General → **Keep messages**: 30 Days or 1 Year instead of Forever (this deletes older messages).
- **Review big attachments**: System Settings → General → Storage → Messages info button lists large attachments to delete.
- **Messages in iCloud**: with it on, deleting a conversation removes it from all your devices, and macOS can keep older attachments in iCloud.

Save anything you want to keep before shortening how long messages are kept.