Invisible Storage

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Invisible Storage

My HDD storage shows i have around 103 GB used memory but when i checked with a third party apps it showed only 43 GB occupied, I also don't have any big files in my disc. I have no idea where these 50-55 GB storage are form. I checked and tried many ways following every tricks searching in google and youtube, using different software even checking folders one by one ...

Is there any hidden backup files storing somewhere ? Please share if anyone have any solution. I can't even update mac OS due to storage shortage

Posted on Jan 26, 2022 9:10 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

PRP_53

Level 10

91,201 points

Jan 27, 2022 3:03 AM in response to saqib574

Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac

Empty the Trash

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

The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other " Category

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.

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Answer 2

Jan 26, 2022 10:49 PM in response to saqib574

Sounds like snapshots it’s running. Do you have automatic backups turned on in preferences? If so turn it off. In a couple days it should go down. It stores them on an APFS formatted drive whether you have time machine plugged in or not. If you really want to find out fast. Reboot, when you hear a chime, before it ends be holding command +R . This puts you in recovery mode. Click on disk utility. Click on HD, top drive, run. Twirl down the arrow and watch the information. If you see a lot of snapshots ( the word ) labeled snapshot 1, 2 etc. and there are a bunch. That’s it. Turning off auto back off will flush it out after a couple days and a reboot. Hope that helps. Read about them and APFS and you’ll get an idea. Cheers.

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Answer 3

saqib574 Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 4, 2022 3:12 AM in response to toastosxDC

Thanks for your suggestion. But my backup is turned off since i bought my laptop. This problem started after i had install Mac OS Catalina. And i found many Catalina user complain similar problem. I searched by file types, temporary files, file size but unable to figure out what is eating up the storage.

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Answer 4

saqib574 Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 4, 2022 3:15 AM in response to PRP_53

Yes, Thats i figured out , its insane !!! my others file occupied 74 GB while file and application are less than 20 GB. But i can not find What is this others file, even searching by file type.

I would say this is Mac OS Rubbish

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Answer 5

PRP_53

Level 10

91,201 points

Feb 4, 2022 3:47 AM in response to saqib574

If this computer has been upGraded over the years and has had several upGrades along the way - the Baggage will build up. Thusly the " Other " category will and has grown.

In this computer situation - one may consider the Scorch Earth approach only after attempting the previous suggestions.

Just a point to remember, starting in macOS 10.15 Catalina - there is a " Read Only Volume" where the OS resides. It is designed by Apple to guard against unintended or intentional modifications, alteration, deletions etc.

Further, starting in Big Sur macOS 11 and again in Monterey macOS 12 - that Read Only Volume has gone a step further wherein the volume is now " Sealed and Read Only" and only Apple can modify it.

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Invisible Storage

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