How to clean up your Mac's desktop

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to add folders to your desktop, right-click on an empty area on your desktop, then choose New Folder.
to add folders to your desktop, right-click on an empty area on your desktop, then choose New Folder. (Image credit: iMore)
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macOS Big Sur

macOS Big Sur (Image credit: Bryan M. Wolfe / iMore)

There's no best way to organize your Mac desktop. One thing is certain, however. If you feel your desktop is disorganized, it's wise to do something about it. We suggest any number of organizing techniques, including the ones below. Here's how to clean a Mac desktop on macOS Big Sur.

How to add folders to your desktop

Perhaps the simplest way to organize your Mac's desktop is by adding folders, which you can use to separate content based on a purpose. For example, you may want to add folders for personal and work use. Another solution might be to create folders for different projects.

To create a folder on Mac:

  1. Right-click in an empty area on the desktop.
  2. Choose New Folder. You can also use the Command-Shift-N keyboard shortcut.
  1. Click on the title of the folder you just created
  2. Change the name of the folder to suit your needs.
  3. Click Enter.
  4. Repeat Steps 1 through 6 to create more folders on the desktop.

To add folders to your desktop, click on the title of the folder you just created and change the name as needed. Click enter. Repeat steps to add more folders. (Image credit: iMore)

Now you can drag any items you want into the new folder. This is the easiest way on how to clean a Mac desktop.

How to align and sort desktop items automatically on Mac

To add some structure to your desktop folders and files' placement, you can sort them into a grid.

  1. Right-click any blank space on your desktop.
  2. Click Clean Up By.
  3. Choose the option you want. Your options are Name, Kind, Date Modified, Date Created, Size, and Tags.

To align and sort desktop items automatically on Mac, right click any blank space on your desktop, click Clean Up By. Choose an option from the list. (Image credit: iMore)

How to keep all your desktop files in a grid formation on Mac

If your desktop has lost all structure and files are in every corner, you can easily snap them back into a grid formation.

  1. Right-click any blank space on your desktop.
  2. Click Sort By.
  3. Click Snap to Grid.

To keep all your desktop files in a grid formation on Mac, right-click any blank space on your desktop, then clock Sort By. Click Snap to Grid. (Image credit: iMore)

Now, until you change it, all your files will always snap to a grid. If you want to reverse it, you can follow the same steps listed above. This is one of the best ways on how to clean a Mac desktop.

How to change the grid spacing on the desktop on Mac

  1. Right-click any blank space on your desktop.
  2. Click Show View Options.
  3. Adjust the grid spacing with the slider.

To change the grid spacing on the desktop on Mac, right-click any blank space on the desktop, then click Show View Options. Adjust the grid spacing with the slider. (Image credit: iMore)

How to adjust the size of desktop icons on Mac

If you think the icons on your screen are too small or too big, you can easily change their size.

  1. Right-click any blank space on your desktop.
  2. Click Show View Options.
  3. Adjust the icon size with the slider.

To adjust the size of desktop icons on Mac, right-click any blank space on your desktop, then click Show View Options. Adjust the icon size with the slider. (Image credit: iMore)

How to use macOS Stacks to organize your desktop

With the built-in Stacks feature in macOS, you can organize your desktop into stacks of files grouped by categories and keeps it organized as you save new files.

To turn Stacks on:

  1. Choose View from the Finder menu bar.
  2. Select Use Stacks. You can also right-click anywhere on your desktop, then choose Use Stacks from the shortcut menu.

To use macOS Stacks to organize your desktop, choose View from the Finder menu bar. Then select Use Stacks. You can also right-click anyone on your desktop, then choose Use Stacks from the shortcut me (Image credit: iMore)

Each file is now part of a Stack unless it's the only file of its kind on your desktop. Folders appear just below stacks. With Stacks, cleaning up your Mac desktop has never been easier!

How to create multiple Mac desktops

Another solution to organizing your Mac desktop is to split it into two. Or three, and so forth. With Mission Control, you can create different Spaces, which are fundamentally different iterations of your desktop. If you find your current desktop is getting a little crowded, you can create a new Space.

Third-party solutions

Finally, there are third-party app solutions to consider to organize your Mac desktop. Three of our favorites include:

Declutter: With this app, you can use smart folders to organize your content by images, videos, documents, and music. Think of it as an advanced version of Apple's Stacks. Declutter is part of the Setapp subscription service.

Magnet: Available in the Mac App Store, Magnet lets you create different workspaces on your desktop. In doing so, you can eliminate app switching and improve your productivity.

iCollections: With this app, also available in the Mac App Store, you can create different areas on your desktop, making it ideal for sorting and arranging icons in a fun and efficient way.

In the market?

Are you looking for a new computer? Check out our yearly recommendations for Mac desktops and laptops.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions about macOS Big Sur or how to clean your Mac desktop? Do you have solutions not listed here? Let us know in the comments below!

Updated December 2020: Includes content for macOS Big Sur.

Bryan M Wolfe
Bryan M Wolfe
Staff Writer

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.