startup disk almost full but can't delete anything

[no doz]

hey ya'll, signed up hoping for a little guidance. my 2018 macbook pro auto-updated with some really large updates last night and now my startup disk is almost completely full (only 300mb of space left). because of how little space is left, i can't get my computer to delete any files or open any applications, rendering it essentially unusable. i'm trying to avoid doing a factory reset if possible, as my last backup was two weeks ago and i have some recent files that cannot be replaced if lost. i've spent the last few hours trying out suggested solutions that i've found online but have had no luck so far.

if i could delete or move just ONE bigger file off the HD it would give me the space i need to clean it up or make a new time machine backup, but the computer won't currently connect to my external harddrives, the cloud, or successfully airdrop anything. i also cant open my browser, so online storage solutions seem like they're out.

i have an iphone 11, an older ipad, and a 2016 macbook in the house, was thinking maybe there is some way to use one of them as a sort of faux-external HD for transferring those important files before doing an HD reset, but haven't been successful in connecting them thus far.

would absolutely love any suggestions or advice on how i might be able to free up some room on my HD or maybe save those files. hoping there might be some solution that's eluding me. currently pretty frustrated and bummin 😔

 

[HDFan]

i can't get my computer to delete any files or open any applications, rendering it essentially unusable

What happens when you try to delete files via the finder?

Does booting into Safe Mode or Single User Mode make a difference? Safe mode clears some caches to that might give you some space.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Is putting the Mac in "target disk mode" connected to the other Mac a possibility?

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode

You can connect two Mac computers using a FireWire or Thunderbolt cable, then transfer files.

support.apple.com

Another idea is to install macOS on an external drive (I think it would be necessary to create a USB installer…on the other Mac), startup from the external and work with the files on the internal from there.

 

[Fishrrman]

You might be able to use "target disk mode" over USBc to connect to the 2016 MBP. Then, booting from the 2016, you can access the 2018's drive and begin deleting files.

I think it works like this:
a. boot the 2016 and get to the finder
b. boot or reboot the 2018 and IMMEDIATELY hold down the "T" key (and NO OTHER KEYS) continuously.
c. in a moment, you should see the target disk mode icon.
d. now, connect a USBc cable to the 2018, then plug it into the 2016.
e. do you see the drive icon (for the 2018) appear on the 2016's desktop?
f. if so, good, you're ready to go.

I'd now use the finder to start finding and deleting things.
Go "slow and small" at first.
Put something in the trash, and empty the trash.
Then something else, etc., etc.

I would throw about about 10gb of stuff, at least.
Once that's done, try rebooting the 2018 again.
If it boots, you can proceed from there.
If it DOESN'T boot, repeat the process above.

IN THE FUTURE:
Do not rely on "automatic updates".
NEVER do this!
TURN OFF all "automatic updating", and then take control of what gets updated yourself...!

 

[no doz]

thanks for the help everybody! managed to get it all sorted out. i had no luck with safe mode or single user mode, so i followed @Fishrrman 's advice and was able to use target disk mode to clear some space via the older MB. i deleted about 15GB and ordered a brand new external HD. once that arrives i'll offload as much data as possible onto it and save a time machine copy of my MBP HD to it a few times a week. i've also turned automatic updates off, will NOT be making that mistake again 😰

i really appreciate the advice! ya'll helped save me a ton of stress and trouble, thank you again. all the best