how to delete "other" storage in mac

If you are running macOS 11 Big Sur

Storage

• Other: 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.

       https://support.apple.com/guide/system-information/see-available-storage-space-syspf9b375b9/11.0/mac/11.0

      Delete files

      https://support.apple.com/guide/system-information/find-and-delete-files-syspf5a64aa6/11.0/mac/11.0

      Click the “Manage”button. Wait until Green “Completed” button appears.       

       Optimize storage

       https://support.apple.com/guide/system-information/optimize-storage-space-sysp4ee93ca4/11.0/mac/11.0

The Other Category should not be altered, modified, move or deleted nor should it be attempted to be. Doing so may corrupt the OS and rendered the OS inoperative requiring a Wipe and Re-Installation.

The Other category is a potpourri of files which include:

• System temporary files

• macOS system folders

• Archives and disk images (.zip, .iso, etc. - often found in the Downloads folder)

• Personal user data

• Files from the user’s library (Application Support, iCloud files, screensavers, etc.)

• Cache files

• Fonts, plugins, extensions

• Other files that are not recognized by a Spotlight search

• Media files that cannot be classified by Spotlight as a media file because they are located inside of a package

They can be located anywhere on your hard drive. The files that you have control over are located in the Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music and Movies folders.  You can use either of these two free apps, GrandPerspective  or OmniDiscSweeper, to find the largest files on your drive so you can determine if they can be deleted or moved to an external HD for storage.