A base Mac mini with 256 GB: the external SSD setup that makes it feel like 2 TB
The entry Mac mini is fast and small on storage. How to pair it with an external SSD, what to move there, and what should stay on the internal disk.
The Mac mini is the one Mac where a small internal disk makes the most sense. It never leaves the desk, so an external SSD is always plugged in. Set up well, most people never notice their files are on a second drive.
What to keep on the internal disk
- macOS and your apps. They start fastest from the internal disk and expect to live there.
- Your user account and its Library.
- At least 15 to 20 percent free, so updates and swap have room. See how much free space a Mac should have.
What to move to the SSD
| What | How |
|---|---|
| Photos library | Copy it across, open Photos holding Option, choose the copy, then set it as the System Photo Library in Settings |
| Music media | Change the media folder in Music settings. See moving the Music library |
| Video and audio projects | Save new projects to the SSD by default |
| Game libraries | Set the library location inside Steam or other launchers |
| Downloads and archives | Move by hand, or change the download location in your browser |
Picking the drive
For a Photos library and projects, choose an SSD, not a hard drive. A USB 10 Gbps SSD is fine for most people. For video editing, a Thunderbolt or USB4 drive is worth the extra. Format it as APFS, since it will only ever talk to Macs. External SSD or hard drive has the speeds.
Make it reliable
- Plug it directly into the Mac mini, not through a hub, so it is always mounted at startup.
- Turn off Put hard disks to sleep when possible in Energy settings if the drive keeps disappearing.
- Include it in Time Machine, which excludes external drives by default. Check under Time Machine, Options.
# Check the internal disk and the external one side by side
df -h /System/Volumes/Data /Volumes/*For the laptop version of this problem, see the small SSD guide.
Common questions
Is 256 GB enough for a Mac mini?
For macOS, apps and documents, yes, if you pair it with an external SSD for photos, video and games. The Mac mini never moves, so the drive can stay plugged in.
Can I move my Photos library to an external SSD on a Mac mini?
Yes. Copy the library to the SSD, open Photos while holding Option, choose the copy, and set it as the System Photo Library in Photos settings.
Does Time Machine back up an external drive?
Not by default. Open Time Machine options and remove the external drive from the excluded list if you want it backed up.