So when I checked About this Mac > Storage, I found that "system data" was taking up 77.52 GB. What could be the reason for this, and how do I fix it?
MacBook, macOS 12.6
Some of the below maybe repeats to previous Posters suggestion
Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac
What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?
Free up storage space on your Mac
How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac
See used and available storage space on your Mac
Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Notation - If the user is using a cloning software like Carbon Copy Cloner - suggest tweaking the Safety Net Feature in this software. It may be making additional Snap Shots that are not being Cloned to the Eternal Drive. If this should be the case, these Snap Shot could be using additional space on the drive
The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other/ System Data “ Category
Other / System Data: 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.
Some of the below maybe repeats to previous Posters suggestion
Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac
What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?
Free up storage space on your Mac
How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac
See used and available storage space on your Mac
Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Notation - If the user is using a cloning software like Carbon Copy Cloner - suggest tweaking the Safety Net Feature in this software. It may be making additional Snap Shots that are not being Cloned to the Eternal Drive. If this should be the case, these Snap Shot could be using additional space on the drive
The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other/ System Data “ Category
Other / System Data: 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.
davidgordiienko wrote:
So when I checked About this Mac > Storage, I found that "system data" was taking up 77.52 GB. What could be the reason for this, and how do I fix it?
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/69eed236-a476-4ecf-8e1f-3a2cc5be821d
general house cleaning...
What Apple used to label "Other" is now labeled "System Data".
Empty your Trash — Delete files and folders on Mac - Apple Support
Delete files and folders on Mac - Apple Support
How to free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support
Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support
See used and available storage space on your Mac
See used and available storage space on your Mac - Apple Support
User tip: "Other and What Can I Do About It ?"
What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how… - Apple Community
Try something like OmniDiskSweeper for a GUI to get a good look at itemized file size and location:
OmniDiskSweeper http://www.omnigroup.com/more
You are welcome and thank you too.
Do come back to the Apple Support Communities ( ASC ) in the future, if / or when additional questions may arise
Why is system data taking up 70+ GB of storage on my MacBook, and how can I reduce it?
