System Data & Time Machine Snapshots

Question

System Data & Time Machine Snapshots

Hi everyone,

I’m running into a storage issue on my Mac and could really use some help.

My System Data is taking up over 220 GB, and I can’t figure out exactly what’s using all that space. I’ve checked the usual folders, but nothing seems to explain such a large amount.

From some online searching, I found that Time Machine local snapshots might be the cause. If that’s the case, how can I review what snapshots exist and safely delete them if needed?

Any guidance or step-by-step instructions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Posted on Dec 17, 2025 2:57 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Dec 17, 2025 3:57 AM in response to nikolas.grigoriou

Open Disk Utility.

Select the Data volume in the sidebar.

The Time Machine snapshots should be displayed.

If they are not, choose View->Show APFS Snapshots.

You can then select any snapshots and delete them right there by pressing the "-" button.

Reply

Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

102,481 points

Dec 17, 2025 4:01 AM in response to nikolas.grigoriou

Yes, Time Machine Backup Snapshots can accumulate if TM Backup is on a Schedule and the destination external drive has not been attached for an period of time

TM Backup will make snapshot(s) and retain them until the destination drive is attached

In theory, once it is attached, it should transfer the snapshots but sometimes it may not

View APFS snapshots in Disk Utility on Mac

Reply

Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

102,481 points

Dec 17, 2025 4:28 AM in response to nikolas.grigoriou

Depending on your success ( hopefully so ) visa vie Snapshots build ups was the root cause of System Data growing to large

If this has not been resolved ?

Reducing System/Volume/Data is a common question.

1 - System data taking too much in MacOS Sono… - Apple Community

2 - Time Machine Local Snapshot won't delete - Apple Community

3 - Over 60% storage blocked by System Data - Apple Community

How to free up ‘System Data’ and other storage on your Mac from a fellow colleague @ neuroanatomist

Use another application to see where space is being used Storeograph on the Apple Apps Store

Suggest getting an External SSD Drive and start moving your Pictures, Videos, Music and any other large files you have control over, OFF the Internal drive and Onto the External

Understanding iCloud Drive from a well written User Tip from @ Richard.Taylor

There are two effective ways to remedy this issue:

1. Quick Fix Actions:

For Apple Silicon computers, use Disk Utility to erase a Mac.

For Apple Intel computers, use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac, then reinstall macOS.

Always make a Time Machine backup before proceeding.

Migrate only the user account, not the entire system.

Reinstall only the necessary applications from the Apple App Store or directly from the developers.

Reply

Answer 4

Dec 17, 2025 5:35 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thank you both, @Luis Sequeira1 and @Owl-53.

It appears that removing Time Machine snapshots via Disk Utility freed only about 25 GB of space. I still have approximately 175 GB classified as System Data, so I’m unsure how to proceed, even after reviewing the other forum posts that were mentioned.

I believe the issue started when the “Keep Originals” option in the Photos app was enabled and then later disabled. I’m not sure whether there’s a way to locate or safely remove any files—possibly cache or related data—generated by the Photos app. I’ve already checked the relevant Photos folders under Library > Caches, but that did not resolve the issue.

Reply