You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Storage

Hey. I wonder how "systems" fills over 60GB of my storage. Is it possible to remove some of it, som I can get more storage, now it fills 1/2 of my storage and I don't have enough space to update MacOS. And yes, I have been deleting pictures, videos, apps, trashcan and so on. Please help.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jan 4, 2023 12:00 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 4, 2023 10:19 PM

Generally, the files in the System storage can be anything that cannot be categorized into app, movie, picture, music or document, such as:


1. Essential macOS operating system files;

2. Time Machine snapshot backups;

3. System log files and cache;

4. Cache from Browsers, Mail, photos and the third-party apps;

5. Old macOS updates;

6. Trash data and junk files.


Sometimes your Mac builds up an unnecessary amount of System files due to a bug, but most of the time it’s a normal part of how the operating system works. However, you can follow the below methods to manually reduce system storage on your Mac:


1. Empty Trash

2. Manage Time Machine Backup Snapshots

3. Optimize your Storage

4. Remove iOS Backups

5. Delete Cache Files

6. Update macOS


Hope it helps!

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 4, 2023 10:19 PM in response to LouiseStouby

Generally, the files in the System storage can be anything that cannot be categorized into app, movie, picture, music or document, such as:


1. Essential macOS operating system files;

2. Time Machine snapshot backups;

3. System log files and cache;

4. Cache from Browsers, Mail, photos and the third-party apps;

5. Old macOS updates;

6. Trash data and junk files.


Sometimes your Mac builds up an unnecessary amount of System files due to a bug, but most of the time it’s a normal part of how the operating system works. However, you can follow the below methods to manually reduce system storage on your Mac:


1. Empty Trash

2. Manage Time Machine Backup Snapshots

3. Optimize your Storage

4. Remove iOS Backups

5. Delete Cache Files

6. Update macOS


Hope it helps!

Jan 4, 2023 2:17 PM in response to LouiseStouby

Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac


What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?


Free up storage space on your Mac


OmniDiskSweeper Safe to use


GrandPerspective 


How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac


See used and available storage space on your Mac


Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch


The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other/ System Data “ Category


Other / System Data: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.

Storage

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.