How to delete "Other" data?

Question

Level 1

9 points

How to delete "Other" data?

I am trying to free up space on my disk, but can't seem to get rid of the "Other" category. When I go to About This Mac > Storage, the graphic tells me that I have 73.53 GB available of 250.69 GB. The third largest category taking up space is System (11.36 GB), second is Apps (44.88 GB), and the largest category is Other (92.66 GB). Is it normal for the Other category to be taking up so much space? It scares me a little that it takes up more than twice as much space as my applications.

I've tried:

Going to About This Mac > Storage > Manage > Optimize Storage
Deleted most of my largest files that I don't use anymore
Emptied my Cache folder until Library
Emptied Trash
Deleted trash mail by going to Mail > Mailbox > Erase Deleted Items > In all accounts

None of these worked to reduce the space the Other category is taking up. What is taking up so much space and how can I delete it?

MacBook Pro 13”, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 24, 2020 8:25 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

May 25, 2020 3:32 PM in response to maa19

Ignore the "Storage" report!

OmniDiskSweeper shows you the files on your drive, largest to smallest, and lets you quickly Trash or open them.

https://www.omnigroup.com/more/

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Answer 2

maa19 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 23, 2020 12:17 PM in response to BDAqua

Thank you, I've downloaded OmniDiskSweeper. It lists all the files and applications I have but nothing seems out of the ordinary. OmniDiskSweeper is finding that my used storage is about 127 GB. It does not show me where the Other category data is coming from. I also found this, but I'm not sure what the difference between Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD - Data is... does this explain where my Other category data/used storage is coming from?

Looking at this it just concerns me a little that only 11.36 GB is used on Macintosh HD but there is187.19 GB of "Other volumes." Is this normal?

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Jun 23, 2020 3:28 PM in response to maa19

There is no "Other" category, the "Other" in the silly inaccurate "Storage" report is made up out of thin air.

Now other Volumes is a crazy concept in APFS, & beyond me to do it justice explaining it other than it's all tied together & usable for things.

I'm not sure what the difference between Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD - Data is...

Another crazy idea from Apple, 1st one is a Read Only volume for the OS System files, hopefully to prevent infection I presume, & the 2nd one is your Data & stuff, which I would've left at Macintosh HD Y named the System one something like Macintosh HD-System or Macintosh HD-OS

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