Not getting any recommendations to free up memory in Mac mini Settings

I would not depend on the figures, as per the reporting method you have presented

The numbers reported are from Spotlight and are not always accurate

Disk Utilities >> View all devices

Right now and from your image >> 198.47 GB of 245.11 GB used

63.82 GB GB in System Data  seems to be about normal for some but not all 

Generally when this issue is discovered by the User ( you in this case )

It is because the Internal Drive Capacity of this computer maybe on the small size

Meaning, the computer has a 256 GB Capacity Drive 

Right now, I would suggest Emptying the Trash which shows 1.32 GB

Also, Music Creation is 2.38 GB which usually means GarageBand and all the accompanying Music files is installed

If you do not use or need GarageBand >> Drag and Drop to the Trash

It may or may not offer to remove all the associate GarageBand music files

If you are using Apple Intelligence ?

That would account for an additional, about 10 GB

Yes, the sarcasm was not lost

At the end of the day

This machine has the equivalency of the 128 GB drive, back in the day when Apple Offered the Entry Level computer

Unfortunately, the users' needs for Storage may have grown since the time it was originally purchased 

The implications being that on your next purchase

Spend the Extra Money Up Front on a larger Drive Capacity Drive and add more RAM

This may just Future Proof the computer for your growing needs 

Amysout wrote:

I am trying to free up memory and I don't get "Recommendations" when I'm in Storage in my Settings. The instructions online say this will provide me with possible options. Am I to assume that my very smart Mac has no recommendations or do I have a real issue?

I'd suggest holding off a bit before an erase/restore. You may end up doing so as my colleague Owl-53 suggests, but there's something else going on here, namely that you're not even seeing the recommendations, and that's independent of the available space and the need to free it up.

I suspect you do have an issue. You should see Recommendations between the visual representation of your your drive and the categorized list, like this:

Your screenshot looks different. If you have not rebooted your Mac, try that first. If you still don't see Recommendations, try booting in Safe Mode:

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

If you see the Recommendations section there, then reboot normally and see if it's back. If it's not there in safe mode, that suggests a problem with macOS and in that case, I'd start (after making a backup!!) by reinstalling macOS with the option to preserve your user data selected.

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Amysout wrote:

This still doesn't solve why I don't get Recommendations. Without that, I cannot see where I can Optimize my storage. I am the admin for my own system (it's not for work). I've attempted to start my system in Safe mode, 5X - following the instructions exactly. It never works. I never see "Safe Mode" in the menu bar.

This may be a situation when I need to call IT. I'm trying to troubleshoot and do my due diligence before I call.

The missing Recommendations section and inability to boot into safe mode seem to point to a deeper problem. It may that you need to reinstall macOS (link provided in my first response above). Alternatively, if convenient make a Genius Bar appointment.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Follow on

The more  popular and effective ways to address this issue is to Start Over from Scratch 

For Apple Silicon computer >> Use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon.

For Apple Intel computers >>   Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac followed by How to reinstall macOS

Always make a Time Machine Backup  before  proceeding 

It is also suggest to  Only Migrating the User Account and nothing more.

Emphasis on User Account Only

Reinstall the Needed and not the Wanted applications from the Apple Apps Store or Directly from the Developers 

I'd be leery of what it says under "Optimize Storage". Even Apple admits that re-downloading won't always work. If an item gets withdrawn from the Store then it is gone for good unless you have a copy on local storage such as a spare drive. Redownloading is a convenience (it means you don't have to haul the drive out of the closet and plug it in, etc.) but not something upon which you should rely.

Choose whichever of the 3 suggestions( good ) you have received thus far that your are comfortable with

Each has its own merits

I sense I have not communicated clearly enough

At the End of the Day, whichever method you choose to use, the sticking point will always be the tiny 256 GB drive capacity

Not knowing if this Mac Mini is INTEL or Apple Silicon machine, what follows may not apply

Once the successor to Sequoia which is macOS 26 Tahoe is released in the Fall of 2025 this year

Should your machine be the Intel computer, macOS 26 Tahoe will be the last version of macOS this computer can run

Factoring that into the equation, just what you expect your computing needs may be in 1 - 2 year.

It would seem obvious what the solution might be

A machine with at least 1 TB drive capacity and at least 16 GB Unified RAM

Thank you for the above reply and the additional info related to both the type of computer and the specific issue the machine is experiencing

I will mull this all over and get back to you tomorrow - Thursday

Amysout wrote:

From what I know (and I may be mistaken) there's a difference between Memory and RAM. RAM usage depends on many factors - the processor in your system as well as the apps you're running. I'm having the issue of my system locking up and continually getting error messages when I use Photoshop - so I'm thinking Memory isn't the issue, RAM is. That'll be a PS issue - not Apple & I might be able to adjust some settings in PS.

Photoshop's Preferences allow you to set the RAM usage:

On a side note, while I was looking into storage on my system & making changes, I noticed I was not getting "Recommendations" when in System-->General-->Storage. I am thinking something is wrong there. I should see it, right?

Starting in safe mode & rebooting seems like the 1st level to troubleshoot.

Yes, you should see Recommendations. It's possible you don't see them if you're not an Admin on the machine, I'm not sure on that one.

OP >> “ Thanks for your advice too - I appreciate your thoughtful insight. My Mac has an M2 processor.  “ 

A - Thank you, this is very good news. The M2 Mac Mini  should be able to upgrade to  macOS 25 Tahoe and possible beyond 

OP >> “ I did move a good bit of my files to my iCloud drive. “

A - Had you used the Optimize Storage  to move files to iCloud ? This kind of dovetails into your original query about Recommendations that were missing earlier ? 

OP >> “ I will avoid a factory reset as long as I can. “

A - Understood 

OP >> “ From what I know (and I may be mistaken) there's a difference between Memory and RAM. RAM usage depends on many factors - the processor in your system as well as the apps you're running. I'm having the issue of my system locking up and continually getting error messages when I use Photoshop - so I'm thinking Memory isn't the issue, RAM is. That'll be a PS issue - not Apple & I might be able to adjust some settings in PS. “

A - I see what may happening. Just to put a few things right.

In computer jargon, RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory 

It is called “random access” because the technology allows the computer to temporarily store and access data immediately

The “ Lockup  “ you mentioned earlier could be a combination of things all happening at the same time 

Use the Activity Monitor application and select View >> View All Processes. Identify the processes using the most CPU and memory. 

Often, it’s a combination of processes. 

When the computer uses a lot of CPU and memory, it may indicate a lack of empty space on the drive. In this case, the CPU and memory usage increase as the system searches for empty space to save changes. Also, consider the number of Web Browser tabs in use. Each tab may consume significant CPU and memory resources.

View memory usage in Activity Monitor on Mac - Apple Support

In closing this part for now

We have established this is a M2 Mac Mini with a 256 GB Storage Capacity. How much Memory = RAM does this computer have 

To find out it is easy. Go to the Apple icon >> Top Left of Screen >> About this Mac 

Refer image below

This is from my Older M2 Mac Mini relegated to the Living-room, connected to HD TV for only streaming TV Shows and Movies

Take Note, I have removed the Serial Number from the image 

Amysout wrote:

Will reinstalling my MacOS cause me to have to pare all my devices again as well as downloading all my apps that didn't come installed and uninstall the apps that I don't use? I think I may need more mental energy to start from scratch again (lol)

It will not. "Reinstalling macOS doesn't remove your apps or personal data, but it’s still a good idea to back up your Mac first, if possible."

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

To avoid any further sessions of Q&A, Q&A  and Q&A  

Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.

It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 

The application is free or paid for added features. 

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - Share Report >> Copy , then  paste  >>>> using the Additional Text Icon  <<<<