Applications taking too much storage space in MacBook Pro

I have macbook pro 2019. macos Sequoia 15.5 ersion installed. When I check my applications from system settings>general>storage , it shows that they are 170 gb, which is impossible. When i open the applications file from finder it shows around 30 gb, which is accurate. I start restarting, it didnt work. How can I correct this? please see photos. Thank you.

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Applications taking much larger space

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 12, 2025 08:43 PM

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Level 9

66,986 points

Posted on Jul 16, 2025 09:05 AM

I don't see the hidden Library in that picture. The hidden Library folder within your home user folder can contain a ton of files especially if you back up any iPhones/iPads to your computer.

FYI, you will never be able to see/find all of the data on your computer. When I tried to investigate the storage on one of my Macs, I was unable to locate 30GB of data. Some of the data can be hidden in APFS snapshots associated with Time Machine backups and/or third party backups.

View APFS snapshots in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

OmniDiskSweeper makes it so much easier to actually see & locate the largest files/folders.

View in context

18 replies

Jul 14, 2025 06:59 PM in response to evren257

Something is wrong with your file system.

if you have not restarted in safe mode, you should do that now.

OR use Disk Utility, set the view menu to "Show all devices"

the select and Repair/FirstAid:

the Physical device,

the Container-disk,

and every volume.

evren257 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 14, 2025 07:49 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Started in safe mode and shows approx 25 gb less for apps. I guess thats something good lm

evren257 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 13, 2025 04:08 AM in response to HWTech

When I check the applications from the storage section, I cant see what is taking so much space. How can I see and organize what is actually taking 170 gb place?

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Applications taking too much storage space in MacBook Pro