Can I clean up 68.08 GB "System" files on my 2015 MacBook Pro (Mojave)?

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Level 1

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Can I clean up 68.08 GB "System" files on my 2015 MacBook Pro (Mojave)?

Hi, I'm running a 2015 MacBook Pro on Mojave with the following specs:

I stopped updating my MacOS several months ago when I was running low on space. I managed my hard drive that way for a while until I finally ran out this week. I spent the last day backing up and purging documents, caches, and apps. I did this manually and using the OS built-in cleanup feature. I even bought a license to CleanMyMac and used that. I freed up a fair amount of space, but I'm sure to run out again soon. There are currently 68.08 GB of system files. See the screenshot below. Like I said, I've cleaned out all the apps and documents I can, but I'm wondering if there's any way I can clear out some of the system files? I've seen one forum post elsewhere about XCode and DevCleaner being able to help here--if I'm understanding the purposes of those apps correctly--but I can't even install XCode because my OS is out of date and I don't have the space to update to Big Sur.

Is there anything I can do to reduce this monolith of system files?

Posted on Jan 19, 2021 1:28 PM

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Answer 1

Timbuktu

Level 3

809 points

Jan 19, 2021 5:28 PM in response to mr.deborah

Click on "Manage" button on your bottom screenshot and see what takes up the most storage. There is a "Recommendations" tab at the top with suggestions to reduce local files. Remember that it includes music, videos, pictures, iOS backups, etc. At the bottom you'll see the actual system files listed greyed out (likely around 10-14 GB). If uncertain just post the screenshot

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Answer 2

Timbuktu

Level 3

809 points

Jan 19, 2021 7:13 PM in response to mr.deborah

Well, use "Get Info" on your System and sort by size and see what takes up the most space. Without knowing what takes up storage it's not useful to give any recommendation. System and application caches can get pretty big over time if never cleaned. I use a free utility called Onyx (Developer is Titanium software, not on App Store so use at your own risk) to run maintenance scripts and delete log and cache files, others recommend Daisy Disk (App Store, $10) but don't install any of the known scam labeled "cleaner" apps like MacCleaner.

Apple Support: HT206996

Macworld: https://www.macworld.com/article/2030221/easy-tips-for-cleaning-up-your-mac.html

MacPaw: https://macpaw.com/how-to/best-mac-cleaner-software

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Answer 3

mr.deborah Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 19, 2021 5:34 PM in response to Timbuktu

I have already done this. Here's what that screen looks like.

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Can I clean up 68.08 GB "System" files on my 2015 MacBook Pro (Mojave)?

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