how to clear system data

hi, in my mac system data is taking too much of my space, maybe almost of the space, i tried to clear it by clearing cashes and after few days it became bigger than before. do anyone know how to clear it completely

Posted on Apr 22, 2024 1:43 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 22, 2024 2:14 AM

frst7 wrote:

hi, in my mac system data is taking too much of my space, maybe almost of the space, i tried to clear it by clearing cashes and after few days it became bigger than before. do anyone know how to clear it completely

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.


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



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.


All other areas are not accessible 



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


The same clearing of System Cache files can be achieved by booting into Safe Mode


They will be recreated as the System Requires 


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 22, 2024 2:14 AM in response to frst7

frst7 wrote:

hi, in my mac system data is taking too much of my space, maybe almost of the space, i tried to clear it by clearing cashes and after few days it became bigger than before. do anyone know how to clear it completely

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.


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



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.


All other areas are not accessible 



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


The same clearing of System Cache files can be achieved by booting into Safe Mode


They will be recreated as the System Requires 


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