MacBook M1 System Data Taking Up Too Much Space

Hi there,


I've been experiencing an ongoing issue with the storage on my MacBook M1 (Monterey) for about 2 years now. Specifically, the System data is consuming an excessive amount of space (~ 185GB). Upon running the command df -h | grep Gi in Terminal, I discovered that the majority of this space is occupied by the folder /System/Volumes/Data and other folders within /System/Volumes/


While I've come across some discussions on this issue, I haven't found any concrete solutions or useful recommendations on how to resolve it. I'm unsure of how to safely clear the contents of this folder to reclaim space, and how to prevent this from happening in the future.


It's frustrating to see that my Applications and Documents only occupy around 25GB of space while the System data dominates the storage, leaving minimal space to install new applications.


I would greatly appreciate any recommendations and insights into resolving this issue. Thank you in advance!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.1

Posted on Feb 2, 2024 8:16 PM

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Feb 3, 2024 5:18 AM in response to linhtran_alice

What you present in above image is all correct and normal on Apple Silicon Computers


/dev/disk0 (internal, physical):


   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER


   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *251.0 GB   disk0


   1:             Apple_APFS_ISC Container disk1         524.3 MB   disk0s1


   2:                 Apple_APFS Container disk3         245.1 GB   disk0s2


   3:        Apple_APFS_Recovery Container disk2         5.4 GB     disk0s3




/dev/disk3 (synthesized):


   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER


   0:      APFS Container Scheme -                      +245.1 GB   disk3


                                 Physical Store disk0s2


   1:                APFS Volume Macintosh HD            10.1 GB    disk3s1


   2:              APFS Snapshot com.apple.os.update-... 10.1 GB    disk3s1s1


   3:                APFS Volume Preboot                 6.2 GB     disk3s2


   4:                APFS Volume Recovery                907.8 MB   disk3s3


   5:                APFS Volume Data                    17.1 GB    disk3s5


   6:                APFS Volume VM                      20.5 KB    disk3s6



Start by Emptying the Trash that is using 888.2 MB


Manage Storage


The final word from Apple on Managing the " System Data “ Category


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.


The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that can not be opened by the User nor by Third Party Applications.


There are areas of the Operating System which we users have control over and that is the User Account Folder ( Home Folder )


All other areas are not accessible 


It is generally a good computer practice to alway keep at least 20% to 25% of the Total Drive Capacity’s as Empty Space. Allowing the computer to drop below these guidelines may eventually, cause unintended consequences.


There is Purgeable Space and there is Empty Space.


Purgeable Space which is Controlled by the Operating System. When the Operating Systems decides the computer needs additional Empty Space, it will move a portion of the Purgeable to Empty space


AFAIK - there is no User Actions to hasten this transition from Purgeable to Empty Space


It can day or longer before this will occur.


The links below will assist in identifying what is taking up space on the Internal Drive and provide possible ways to remove data that is under the direct control of the User ( Home Folder ) . 


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.  


Often caused if the Time Machine Drive has not been attached  to the computer and TM Backup is set to run on a Schedule. 


TM Backup will make Snap Shot on the Internal Drive awaiting the TM Backup Drive to be attached. 


Only then will the Snaps Shots be transferred to the External Drive and deleted the Internal Drive.


View APFS snapshots in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support (CA)


See used and available storage space on your Mac


Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch


If there a Suite of Adobe Applications  used on this computer ?


They may create some very large cache files that can be removed. Though, the Adobe cache files will be recreated as the Applications needs them.


https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/premiere-pro/kb/clear-cache.html


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MacBook M1 System Data Taking Up Too Much Space

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