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?
[Edited by Moderator]
Original Title: No Recommendations when in Storage
Mac mini, macOS 15.6
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
Thanks for your advice too - I appreciate your thoughtful insight. My Mac has an M2 processor. I did move a good bit of my files to my iCloud drive. I will avoid a factory reset as long as I can.
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.
That is my major issue.
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.
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
Got it , thanks. I did check my settings in PS - they are ok. I have an 8GB memory. I'll just have to make sure all my tabs are closed and no programs are running - NBD, easy to do.
I have used Activity Monitor a few times and the usage for each app differs every time. This makes sense to me.
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.
Unfortunately, I don't live anywhere near an Apple Store, but thanks - I'll call them. 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)
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
Not getting recommendations ?
I asked an AI what this could possible mean
Low and behold, we may have been looking in all the wrong directions
Recommendations are normally a question present to Siri and deepening on the Users' Choice and Configurations within
System Setting >> Apple Intelligence & Siri
There might be suggestions / recommendations as part of the AI response
Sorry to keep being a challenge - I truly appreciate ALL your (everyone) suggestions.
I did try to reinstall the OS, following the instructions of Apple. I got the message that I don't have enough memory. Should I have wiped it first?
I do have a backup of my system in Time Machine
[Edited by Moderator]
When the computer alerts the use ( you ) that the computer is running out of Not Memory but Disk Space
It usually means exactly what it means
Wich was the Original Thrust of one of the first replies to this issue
The quickest and most efficient way to possible remove this issue has been suggest much earlier
To be exact - the second posting in you question
That or purchase a new or newer computer with at least 1 TB Storge Capacity and maybe 16 GB Unified RAM
I shall not pester any further
Having just now seen the posting by my colleague @ neuroanatomist
Good catch there @ neuroanatomist 👍
I suggest tinkering with that setting in Photoshop may help 🤞
Thanks! I'll work on re-installing later today!
Wow! So I will call them tomorrow (Monday) - like most customer support I think I'll get a different answer.
Not getting any recommendations to free up memory in Mac mini Settings
