Lower than Expected SSD Capacity

I understand that macOS uses some portions of the SSD, and other posts online looks like the average capacity of a 512GB SSD is around 500GB. My 512GB SSD only shows a 438GB capacity - this seems excessive for system files. Is this normal for other users? Using a 2020 16" macBook Pro.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.5

Posted on Aug 12, 2021 3:03 PM

Similar questions

Why is mai ssD almost full? My [new, external] SSD in iMac shows I have 10 gig in Apps. 18 in library, 15 in System, and 13 in User. Yet the SSD (per Mack Storage Manage) seems to have only 18 gig out of 479 gig available. What's taking up all that space? Is there anything I can do about it? This is with Big Sur.
610 6
MacBook Pro SSD Storage Why does my 2021 MacBook Pro 14” only shows 500 GB SSD storage instead of 512 GB???
665 1
After emptying Trash, the available space on my MBP SSD doesn't change I have a MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017) with a 1TB SSD, and when I empty the Trash (usually >5GB at a time), the space available as reported in the Finder as well as in the Manage Storage pane *doesn't change*, however the "System" size *continues to increase*. For example, just now, before deleting about 57.6GB from my Trash, my available space was about 575GB. But after emptying the trash, the available space is showing 572.4GB. Can someone confirm to me that this is a normal function of the SSD, and that reclaimed space available on the SSD is only released as the remaining available space gets lower?? I seem to remember reading that somewhere a while back, but can't find any confirmation of it. If this is normal, so be it. But I can't seem to find any information about this behavior. This is a Manage Storage screenshot after the above-mentioned Trash deletion.
672 6

1 reply

Aug 12, 2021 3:06 PM in response to CraigOpie

CraigOpie wrote:

I understand that macOS uses some portions of the SSD, and other posts online looks like the average capacity of a 512GB SSD is around 500GB. My 512GB SSD only shows a 438GB capacity - this seems excessive for system files. Is this normal for other users? Using a 2020 16" macBook Pro.

You can see a break down from the Terminal.app copy and paste:

diskutil list internal

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Lower than Expected SSD Capacity

Welcome to Apple Support Community

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

Learn more Sign up