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Why is system data taking up 70+ GB of storage on my MacBook, and how can I reduce it?

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

Posted on Oct 1, 2022 10:34 AM

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Posted on Oct 2, 2022 7:11 AM

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


GrandPerspective 


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.

3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Oct 2, 2022 7:11 AM in response to davidgordiienko

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


GrandPerspective 


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.

Oct 2, 2022 6:10 AM in response to davidgordiienko

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



Why is system data taking up 70+ GB of storage on my MacBook, and how can I reduce it?

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