I have a Macbook M2 2023. I have very few things installed, but there is a portion of the hard drive occupied by something called "System Data" that I don't know what it is? I can't work, photoshop doesn't open files due to lack of disk space. It is incredible that this happens with a new Mac!! If anyone knows how to solve it I would appreciate your response! Greetings!
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.6
I've had this situation once on a "small" 256GB disk on my 2016 MBP.
No remedy I tried did anything. Apple Support could not help and it became apparent the computer was just not working "properly". It was essentially useless. If I'd dropped it into the Mariana Trench I'd have lost no functionality.
Since I always keep several bootable flash drives handy, I booted from one of them, erased the drive, installed the OS, updated it and used Migration Assistant to restore only my user data from a Time Machine backup.
That was almost three years ago and I've not had the problem since. No idea what caused it; I don't argue with success.
There comes a time when enough is enough.
The problem with the system data is that it is in a non-accessible volume (read ony) and most anything Apple parks there cannot be removed except with extreme methods (erase and re-install/restore). That has been a problem since Apple created that category.
Please do contact Apple support so they are aware of the effect of what they created (and try to offer a solution).
javomazzeo wrote:
I have a Macbook M2 2023. I have very few things installed, but there is a portion of the hard drive occupied by something called "System Data" that I don't know what it is? I can't work, photoshop doesn't open files due to lack of disk space. It is incredible that this happens with a new Mac!! If anyone knows how to solve it I would appreciate your response! Greetings!
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/beafaf5e-d17b-4b6e-898d-87f18451088f
From the Terminal app you can see itemized file size...
home folder with the sizes, including invisible items, copy & paste:
sudo du -h -d 1 ~/
javomazzeo wrote:
Leroy, sorry for my english. This is the result. I am a graphic designer, among other things I edit videos and photos. All the information contained in those 65GB are projects that I am currently working on. What do you suggest to be able to work without problems? My previous MacBook was 2015 and had a 512 GB hd and I never had any problems. I thank you again for answering me.
Last login: Sun Oct 8 10:59:05 on console
borromeo@javombp ~ % diskutil list internal
/dev/disk0 (internal, physical):
#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER
0: GUID_partition_scheme *500.3 GB disk0
1: Apple_APFS_ISC Container disk1 524.3 MB disk0s1
2: Apple_APFS Container disk3 494.4 GB disk0s2
3: Apple_APFS_Recovery Container disk2 5.4 GB disk0s3
/dev/disk3 (synthesized):
#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER
0: APFS Container Scheme - +494.4 GB disk3
Physical Store disk0s2
1: APFS Volume Macintosh HD 9.2 GB disk3s1
2: APFS Snapshot com.apple.os.update-... 9.2 GB disk3s1s1
3: APFS Volume Preboot 5.3 GB disk3s2
4: APFS Volume Recovery 798.8 MB disk3s3
5: APFS Volume Data 454.9 GB disk3s5
6: APFS Volume VM 20.5 KB disk3s6
That looks like a normal installation— I see no issues there.
Macbook M2 2023. I have very few things installed, but there is a portion of the hard drive occupied by something called "System Data" that I don't know what it is?
I can't work, photoshop doesn't open files due to lack of disk space.
I do not know what to tell you, I would call Apple Support for your ongoing issue:
On a new Mac you have 90-day complimentary call in support, I would take advantage of that.
Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)
or on line https://getsupport.apple.com/
Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone
See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.
Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support
javomazzeo wrote:
Hi Leroy, thanks for the response. I did what you told me and received the following as a result:
514M /Users/borromeo//Music
3.7G /Users/borromeo//JJazzLab
2.1G /Users/borromeo//FontBase
1.9M /Users/borromeo//Creative Cloud Files
191M /Users/borromeo//Pictures
839M /Users/borromeo//Desktop
9.7G /Users/borromeo//Library
15M /Users/borromeo//Calibre Library
8.0K /Users/borromeo//Public
28K /Users/borromeo//Movies
9.9M /Users/borromeo//Applications
35G /Users/borromeo//Documents
13G /Users/borromeo//Downloads
65G /Users/borromeo/
What should I do with this information? Some folders do not show their contents, how can I access them?
cull out the useless information...
Your User folder and its contents is 65 GB in total....
I see no issue there.
Lets see the output from the Terminal copy & paste:
diskutil list internal
javomazzeo wrote:
I won't lie, it's something I'm considering doing.
I think it's the next step if Apple support doesn't have a solution. Thanks
Keep in mind you have a limited 14-days for an exchange or refund for any reason—see Returns & Refunds Order status.
Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Apple
Only items that have been purchased directly from Apple, either online or at an Apple Retail Store
I honestly can't believe it, my old 2015 macbook had no problem using the same software and disk space. I can't even install after effects, the tool I work with. I don't know what else to remove from the disk.
I'm going to try Apple support and if I don't have a solution I'll try to do a clean installation of Somona. Maybe they have fixed this problem on the new macos. Thanks
Hi Leroy, thanks for the response. I did what you told me and received the following as a result:
borromeo@javombp ~ % sudo du -h -d 1 ~/
Password:
Sorry, try again.
Password:
514M /Users/borromeo//Music
3.7G /Users/borromeo//JJazzLab
2.1G /Users/borromeo//FontBase
1.9M /Users/borromeo//Creative Cloud Files
191M /Users/borromeo//Pictures
839M /Users/borromeo//Desktop
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Application Support/CallHistoryTransactions: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Application Support/CloudDocs/session/db: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Application Support/com.apple.sharedfilelist: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Application Support/Knowledge: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Application Support/com.apple.TCC: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Application Support/FileProvider: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Application Support/FaceTime: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Application Support/com.apple.avfoundation/Frecents: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Application Support/CallHistoryDB: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Assistant/SiriVocabulary: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Autosave Information: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/IdentityServices: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Messages: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/HomeKit: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Sharing: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/com.apple.aiml.instrumentation: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Mail: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Trial: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/AppleMediaServices: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/DuetExpertCenter: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Accounts: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Safari: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Biome: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/IntelligencePlatform: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Suggestions: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Weather: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.secure-control-center-preferences: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.notes: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.VoiceMemos: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.archiveutility: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.Maps/Data/Maps: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.Home: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.CloudDocs.MobileDocumentsFileProvider: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.mail: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.MobileSMS: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.Notes: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.corerecents.recentsd/Data/Library/Recents: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Containers/com.apple.stocks: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/PersonalizationPortrait: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Metadata/CoreSpotlight: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Metadata/com.apple.IntelligentSuggestions: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Cookies: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/CoreFollowUp: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/StatusKit: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/DoNotDisturb: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Caches/CloudKit: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari: Operation not permitted
du: /Users/borromeo//Library/Caches/FamilyCircle: Operation not permitted
9.7G /Users/borromeo//Library
15M /Users/borromeo//Calibre Library
4.0K /Users/borromeo//.cups
8.0K /Users/borromeo//Public
28K /Users/borromeo//Movies
9.9M /Users/borromeo//Applications
0B /Users/borromeo//IACPLHttpTransferClient
du: /Users/borromeo//.Trash: Operation not permitted
1.8M /Users/borromeo//.gervill
35G /Users/borromeo//Documents
465M /Users/borromeo//.vscode
13G /Users/borromeo//Downloads
24K /Users/borromeo//.zsh_sessions
65G /Users/borromeo/
What should I do with this information? Some folders do not show their contents, how can I access them?
Thanks again
Leroy, sorry for my english. This is the result. I am a graphic designer, among other things I edit videos and photos. All the information contained in those 65GB are projects that I am currently working on. What do you suggest to be able to work without problems? My previous MacBook was 2015 and had a 512 GB hd and I never had any problems. I thank you again for answering me.
Last login: Sun Oct 8 10:59:05 on console
borromeo@javombp ~ % diskutil list internal
/dev/disk0 (internal, physical):
#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER
0: GUID_partition_scheme *500.3 GB disk0
1: Apple_APFS_ISC Container disk1 524.3 MB disk0s1
2: Apple_APFS Container disk3 494.4 GB disk0s2
3: Apple_APFS_Recovery Container disk2 5.4 GB disk0s3
/dev/disk3 (synthesized):
#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER
0: APFS Container Scheme - +494.4 GB disk3
Physical Store disk0s2
1: APFS Volume Macintosh HD 9.2 GB disk3s1
2: APFS Snapshot com.apple.os.update-... 9.2 GB disk3s1s1
3: APFS Volume Preboot 5.3 GB disk3s2
4: APFS Volume Recovery 798.8 MB disk3s3
5: APFS Volume Data 454.9 GB disk3s5
6: APFS Volume VM 20.5 KB disk3s6
borromeo@javombp ~ %
I'll do that. Thank you very much for the help.
I appreciate the comment. I won't lie, it's something I'm considering doing. I think it's the next step if Apple support doesn't have a solution. Thanks
"System data" does not allow me to work