MacBook Pro 2024 Storage Issues

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MacBook Pro 2024 Storage Issues

I have a brand new MacBook Pro, 16", Nov 2024 which I setup as new, and not transferred from another device. I do not keep any files on it, everything is in iCloud, and I always remove unnecessary files and folders locally. Still, just one month into usage, something strange started happening. When I boot the system, it shows me that I use 380 GB of storage, with only ~100 GB remaining, flashing in red.

After a few minutes, it usually goes down to 200 GB, of which 120 GB is "System Data":

This usually happened in previous models because of local Time Machine snapshots, but Time Machine doesn't even let me see any settings, let alone disable snapshots:

Disk Utility does not show this as purgeable space, nor does CleanMyMac.

I honestly have no idea what to even think.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.2

Posted on Jan 11, 2025 10:23 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Community+ 2026

Level 9

70,172 points

Jan 11, 2025 1:01 PM in response to sashatsereteli

First, uninstall CMM by following the developer's instructions since CMM is a known to cause all sorts of problems with macOS. Anti-virus apps, cleaning/optimizer apps, and third party security software are not needed on a Mac and usually causes more problems than they solve because they interfere with the normal operation of macOS.

Second, the macOS storage management section is broken and/or misleading. The only important storage value is the amount of actual Free storage space that is shown within Disk Utility or within the Apple System Profiler. Ignore the "Available" storage value since it is misleading and it is unfortunate that is the value Apple promotes within macOS.

Third, it does not appear you are even using Time Machine for your backups since no TM backup drives are shown in that screenshot. TM settings are available within the TM app itself.

You can view APFS snapshots by using the information in the following Apple article:

View APFS snapshots in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

FYI, iCloud is not a backup. You should make sure to have a local backup of any data stored in the cloud. Keep in mind that file syncing services such as iCloud allow you to share the data between all of your devices. This means if you make a catastrophic file edit (including deletion), that the catastrophic edit gets transferred to all of your devices.

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Answer 2

etresoft

Level 9

56,978 points

Jan 12, 2025 5:12 PM in response to sashatsereteli

First you have to go to the View menu and check "Show APFS Snapshots".

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Answer 3

Zurarczurx

Level 4

3,291 points

Jan 12, 2025 5:01 AM in response to sashatsereteli

Click on Data then in the RH pane at the bottom you should see snapshots and if you wait a bit the sizes should populate. What's the total size of the snapshots.

Snapshots are, effectively, TM backups of your data on your HD. GIYF.

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Answer 4

Jan 12, 2025 4:33 AM in response to HWTech

Hi, thanks for your response.

I've used CMM for over 10 years now and never had any issues with it. I agree it is not needed for normal operation, but also clearly it is not CMM causing 120GB of unknown clutter.

I did not understand the second comment, as I didn't mention available, nor free space. You are saying I should ignore the 120 GB system data altogether?

Indeed, it appears I am not using Time Machine, which adds to my confusion.

I am aware iCloud is synced across devices. I brought this up to demonstrate that I do not store any files on my computer, as I typically do not use any files in my work or life at all.

Thanks.

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Answer 5

Jan 12, 2025 8:50 AM in response to Zurarczurx

<< Snapshots are, effectively, TM backups of your data on your HD. GIYF. >>

EXCEPT for the Macintosh HD (System) Volume, which is itself a crypto-locked snapshot without ANY connection to Time machine.

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Answer 6

Jan 12, 2025 4:14 PM in response to Zurarczurx

Thanks for your response. I did google and read through APFS snapshot instructions, including "How to delete...", however at no point am I allowed to simply delete the volume or snapshot. None of the selections in the LH panel ungrey the "—" sign next to Volume. I see there is quite a bit of purgeable space now, however the snapshots cannot be deleted.

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