tmutil listlocalsnapshotdates /
tmutil deletelocalsnapshots [date]
tmutil disablelocal
{
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"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "How much free space should my Mac have?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Your Mac needs at least 20GB free on the startup disk to function properly. Below 10GB, you'll experience significant slowdowns. Below 5GB, your Mac may refuse to start or freeze during basic operations. For optimal performance, keep 25–30GB free at all times."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Will deleting Time Machine snapshots lose my backups?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "No. Local snapshots are temporary backups created by your Mac automatically. Deleting old snapshots (those more than a few weeks old) won't affect your data. If you have an external Time Machine drive, those backups remain untouched. We always recommend keeping an external backup as your primary safety net."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Can I move macOS itself to another drive?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "No. Your startup disk must contain macOS — you can't move the operating system itself. However, you can move documents, photos, video projects, and archives to external storage or cloud services. We recommend keeping only applications and the operating system on your internal drive."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "How much does it cost to upgrade my SSD in Johannesburg?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "SSD upgrades range from R1,800 to R4,500 depending on your Mac model and the capacity you choose (typically 256GB to 1TB). Most MacBook Airs and Macs from 2013–2020 can be upgraded. Some newer models are more complex. Bring your Mac in for a from R599 assessment — we'll give you a fixed quote before any work begins."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Is it safe to use Terminal commands to delete files?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "For the commands we've outlined above (removing Time Machine snapshots and disabling local backups), yes — they're safe and reversible. Deleting cache files is also safe. However, if you're uncomfortable with Terminal, don't attempt this yourself. Our workshop can do it in 30 minutes for R599."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Why is my Mac still slow even after freeing disk space?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "A full disk is one cause of slowness, but not the only one. Malware, aging hardware, or a failing SSD can also slow your Mac significantly. If your Mac remains slow after freeing space, it may need our logic board repair service or a full hardware diagnostic. Book a from R599 assessment with us."
}
}
]
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