How to delete old Time Machine backups on a Mac computer in 2 ways, to free up storage space

It's always a good idea to have backups. And when it comes to your computer, it's also usually a necessity if you want to make sure that your data isn't lost in the event of a system failure. 

That said, if you have multiple copies of your data, from different points in time, it may be time to get rid of those extra copies to make room for newer ones.

Here's how to get it done on a Mac computer using your external hard drive:

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How to delete backups on a Mac using Finder

1. Open the Finder from your Dock or top menu bar.

2. Connect your external hard drive and then wait for it to appear in the Devices section, located in the left sidebar.

3. Go to "Backups.backupdb" within the drive, then go into the subfolder labeled with your Mac's name.

4. A list of subfolders organized by date will appear. Delete the folder associated with the Time Machine backup that you want to get rid of by right-clicking and selecting "Move to Trash."

5. Empty your trash by right-clicking the trash icon in your Dock and then selecting "Empty Trash."

How to delete backups on a Mac using Time Machine

1. Connect your external hard drive to your computer.

2. Click the Time Machine icon in the top menu bar — it looks like a clock with an arrow going around the outside — or search for it using Spotlight, the magnifying glass at the top right corner of your screen.

3. Find the backup you want to delete, then click the gear icon and select "Delete Backup."

4. Agree to the confirmation question and commands, and then enter your password to confirm your choice.

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