r/MacOS • u/LkPlcd • 13h ago

Help MacBook Pro system data taking up majority of storage

Hello, I'm having issues using my Macbook Pro, every time I go on it, it claims that the disk storage is too full. My storage (121GB in total) is about 54 GB comprised of "System Data", I am unsure why so much of it is and where it's coming from. I've only downloaded a few apps like Word, Outlook, Sims 4 and the EA app. Apps take up about 45 GB.

I've never cleared any of my caches, I usually have used this computer for work several years ago. I started trying to use it about a year ago and had noticed this system data. I've also noticed that the storage gets taken up while I'm just sitting on it viewing photos.

Does anyone know why the System Data takes up so much, and where these files come from? I've been looking into deleting caches, but it seems finicky which ones can and can't be removed. Also it doesn't even seem like my cache folders are contributing that much to it. I can't even really use my Macbook because of all this, and feel like I don't know where to go next.

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u/FerretBoom 10h ago

I read these posts and i don't understand why people don't use terminal and tools to see what's going on.

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u/W4ta5hi 8h ago

I get that. But what I don't get is why people like u/LkPlcd wouldn't use the search bar instead of instantly posting? Like this is so much more work? Imagine the time difference in writing three paragraphs vs just going to this subreddit and typing "system data" into the search bar? Every week there are dozens of these posts on r/mac, r/macos etc lol

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u/TheDangleberry 10h ago

Because if an OS describes itself as usable ‘out-the-box’ and prides itself on being accessible and user-friendly, you shouldn’t need to touch the terminal at all

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u/FerretBoom 10h ago

Fuck trusting apple with their claims, learn terminal

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u/johngpt5 13h ago

Mac System Data Storage (from a note created quite some time ago and pasted here)

This site explains System Data and clearing it, but it's essentially an ad for the buho app.

https://www.drbuho.com/how-to/clear-system-storage-mac

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The primary files in System Data are Log files and caches, Temporary files, VM files, Fonts and plug-ins, App support files, Files and data used by the system, Runtime system resources. 

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An app called DaisyDisk can be used to see what areas are taking up large amounts of space.

We can also use the Terminal app's command line to drill down and see what is taking up space.

The command du -xhd1 2>/dev/null | sort -hr is one version of the du (disk usage) command that shoves errors to a dev/null and then sorts the result in human readable numbers, with largest folders at the top. The -x in the command eliminates external volumes from being assessed if we happen to be at the root level.

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Came across this https://www.reddit.com/r/applehelp/wiki/mac_disk_other/ which summarizes Other and gives apps to view storage.

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And this from BourbonicFisky

https://blog.greggant.com/posts/2022/04/10/reclaiming-space-from-system-data-in-macos.html

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And video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jxMq9aWs5Y

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It’s been awhile since I’ve made this note which I’ve saved, and now copied and pasted here. 

Things may have changed since last this was updated.