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User profile for user: Bensjunk
Bensjunk Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Purgeable space - I have read threads but still need help

I have an iMac

I have optimized

I have updated spotlight (added and removed from privacy)

I have shut down and restarted

None of these have made a difference.


Finder/ storage - 491.5 GB available of 1.02 TB

Disk Utility - Available 491.51 GB (463.07 GB purgeable)

Disk Utility - Used 971.11 GB, Other Volumes 24.14 GB, Free 28.44 GB


I’ve read that purgeable will be used when Mac needs it but with only 28.44 GB of free space I think this is impacting the performance of the machine.


I have followed all the suggestions that I could find, does anybody have any other feedback/ suggestions?

Posted on Oct 16, 2023 11:56 AM

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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
60,656 points

Posted on Oct 17, 2023 9:08 AM

Most likely the items in the "Purgeable" space are located in hidden APFS snapshots most likely from your backup software such as Time Machine or a third party backup app. If an APFS snapshot exists and you delete data from an APFS volume to free up space, then that space is not immediately freed since the data you "deleted" still exists within that hidden APFS snapshot. Once a backup has been fully transferred to external media, then the APFS snapshot should be automatically deleted at some point, but I have no idea how long since it may depend on the app being used. Also some backup apps can be configured to retain these snapshots for a longer time.


Here is an Apple article for viewing & deleting APFS snapshots (I would not delete the snapshot until you are sure your backup has been transferred):

View APFS snapshots in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support


There is a small mention of "purgeable" space near the top of the following Apple article:

Get detailed information about a disk in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support


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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
60,656 points

Oct 17, 2023 9:08 AM in response to Bensjunk

Most likely the items in the "Purgeable" space are located in hidden APFS snapshots most likely from your backup software such as Time Machine or a third party backup app. If an APFS snapshot exists and you delete data from an APFS volume to free up space, then that space is not immediately freed since the data you "deleted" still exists within that hidden APFS snapshot. Once a backup has been fully transferred to external media, then the APFS snapshot should be automatically deleted at some point, but I have no idea how long since it may depend on the app being used. Also some backup apps can be configured to retain these snapshots for a longer time.


Here is an Apple article for viewing & deleting APFS snapshots (I would not delete the snapshot until you are sure your backup has been transferred):

View APFS snapshots in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support


There is a small mention of "purgeable" space near the top of the following Apple article:

Get detailed information about a disk in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support


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Purgeable space - I have read threads but still need help

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