MacBook Air showing incorrect storage space

Question

MacBook Air showing incorrect storage space

This isn't necessarily a major inconvenience, but my 256GB MacBook Air tells me I've used only 15GB. How I wish it was true. macOS alone takes up 22GB, another 20 by GarageBand and its extra stuff, and just under 30 for the rest. I'm too lazy to do this accurately, but my Mac should tell me I've used roughly 75GB. Weird.

I checked System Information. Completely different result. I assume my trashy estimate of 75 gigs is wrong haha.

I just want to clarify that this isn't a major issue I absolutely need fixing, just something I wanted to share. If anyone has any potential fixes, share them. :)

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Air, macOS 15.5

Posted on May 17, 2025 10:44 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Barney-15E

Level 10

124,842 points

May 17, 2025 10:51 AM in response to WastingElectricity

All of the storage displays use spotlight to establish the categories of data. Those categories may actually overlap and those categories are not folders. The documents category should include everything in your documents folder, but it also includes documents not in your documents folder.

My advice is to never look at any of those and just use get info to see how much used in free space you have. Available does not equal FREE.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

137,811 points

May 17, 2025 11:02 AM in response to WastingElectricity

You seem to be missing some info in the Storage window, i.e. System Data, macOS, plus the "All Volumes" button.

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

137,811 points

May 17, 2025 11:14 AM in response to WastingElectricity

Just to add, you may not see an "All Volume" button if you don't have any external drives connected. If that's the case that means you don't have a backup drive drive for Time Machine or other backup drive. Not something you should do without.

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